Making a new plan: a non-emergency health concern makes it sensible to get close to home, so instead of continuing north we headed back toward home. It was clear and 46F when we woke up The trip down the Homosassa River was very pretty, and I carefully followed the channel from marker 83 down to the mouth of the river at marker 32. Then I made a bonehead error and passed on the wrong side of a marker, putting us hard on a rocky oyster bar. We were on a slightly rising tide, but putting an anchor out and hauling together with full throttle failed to dislodge us. After several tries we finally got free at exactly the time of high tide and continued out the 5-mile channel into the gulf before we could turn south. The wind was from the N at 15 and we had a magnificent passage under reefed main, wing-and-wing with the working jib. That gave us all the speed Carina's hull could deliver. The day gradually warmed to about 60, and by staying bundled against the wind we were comfortable. Although our last experience with Hernando Beach Marina was negative, it was our only choice for the distance we were able to make for the day. The winding channel at Hernando Beach is so shallow and narrow it would be impossible to turn around, even in our small boat. The marina is under new ownership and they have been working hard to make it a good facility. The bathrooms were large and clean, and we docked alongside a new floating pier. The shrimpers reportedly came in at 3 a.m. as usual, but we never heard them.
Wildlife notes: We saw flying fish on Thursday, and an eagle in the Homosassa River on Friday. Today while we were aground, three manatees frolicked nearby. Also during our time in contact with the planet there were many dolphins around.
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