Rita here!

First of all, up until very recently whenever Scott would talk about when we “do the crossing” in the Gulf of Mexico, I thought he meant we would cross from Mobile, AL to Taroon Springs, FL. I was obviously clueless how far that was, but geography is not my forte. I can get lost even with GPS. All I knew was it was about 170 miles, and we would be traveling all night long. However, when I finally saw on the map where this “crossing” happens, I decided I don’t think that term applies – at least in my mind it doesn’t work. So, I am calling it our traversing because we are traveling down the Gulf from point A – Appilachicola, FL to point B – Clearwater, FL. OK, now that we have that straight, let’s get on with it.

Like so many other times since starting The Loop, I was not looking forward to this experience. For someone who is generally spontaneous and adventurous, I have been anything but either of those since we started down the rivers Oct 5th. This time I wasn’t looking forward to traveling at night, 45 miles off shore with no place to hide if the weather takes a turn or if some other tragedy should occur and no cell/internet service – just the navigation equipment and the radio. I know, I know; calling the kids or 911 if our boat is sinking is way less effective than calling the Coast Guard on the radio, but sometimes my brain defies rational thought. I’m working on that. However, like every other time I didn’t want to face a trial on this journey, I moved forward in spite of all the emotions. That’s progress albeit with a definitive push from knowing my only other option would be quitting on Scott, myself & this adventure.

In the channel heading out to the Gulf of Mexico, some wonderful dolphins showed up to escort us on our way. One of them was swimming on his/her side letting our wake massage its belly. So entertaining! We also saw jellyfish and turtles, and we’re pretty certain we saw stingrays as well. I got a pic of a jellyfish, but not of the others because I’m not fast enough with the camera. Guess what? Mark that down as one more area in which I’m not proficient, and also another thing I am working on.

As Scott said, we did think the waves were a bit more than we bargained for. However, it reminded us of Lake Michigan, and we’re used to that. I do admit that we both were apprehensive about what would happen if it got worse (see fear noted above). The anxiety was growing, and I contemplated saying we should turn around, but we realized that God would protect us, and also . . . I’m going to be bold and say this even if y’all think I’m nuts – Jesus gives us the power to move mountains and calm storms if we have faith as small as a mustard seed. I knew, like deep in my soul, I knew we would be ok. Peace sets in, and we can just enjoy the journey.

The sun has set, and we can’t see the moon. What we can see are stars – so many stars! The heavens are full of them, some twinkling, some very bright, and every one of them makes me smile. I have never seen so many stars! They come all the way down to the horizon! It’s magnificent, awe inspiring, breathtaking, brilliant . . . perfect. I cannot stop staring at the stars from every vantage point on the boat. I took so many pictures and videos, but they pale in comparison to what I saw with my eyes. I wish for everyone to see the sky that way, and more than that I wish for everyone to feel enveloped in God’s love the way I did right then and still do now.

But wait, the show is about to get better! Dolphins? No, it’s way too dark to see them at this point. Off in the distance, I see something blinking. At first I think it’s a boat, but then I see a flash of light from another location, and then another close to the boat. Bright flashes of green/white keep sporadically happening all around us. I am giddy like a child seeing fireflies for the first time. This is totally unexpected! How is it I have never heard anyone mention this when talking about crossing the Gulf?! Actually, I’m glad I hadn’t heard because that just makes this all the better. I try over and over again to capture this underwater light show on video, but the flashes come so sporadically and sometimes far apart that I fail to do so. That is until I notice that there is a whole bunch of whatever they are in our stern wake. Yay!! I’ll post that video and maybe a couple others in another post. I still do not know what type of bioluminescent aquatic life these things are. If any of you know please share with me. I do know that they are super cool to watch.

I am in a state of complete wonderment and joy while simultaneously feeling such deep peace. I am like – as Scott put it – an excited teenage girl. It’s almost 10:00, and someone has to nap so we can take turns on watch, but there is no way I can sleep. I take first watch and Scott settles in for a nap on the helm sofa-like thing. It’s not the most comfortable situation for your average size guy because it’s not that long or wide, but I think he got a little sleep. I manage to do my watch duties while snapping more pics and standing and staring out the window. I think I spent half of my nap time laying there looking up at the sky. I just don’t want to miss a second. It really was a profound experience- this journey in the night; a traversing and a transformation. I really struggle to put into words how truly spiritual the whole night was. How does He do it? How does God take something I totally did not want to do and turn it into something I would gladly do again? Heck, I think everyone should do it! I pray I never lose this feeling of wonderment, joy & peace.

When the sun started to show just a touch of its light, we finally see the moon; just a little sliver of it on the horizon. I wonder where it’s been hiding all night. Daylight doesn’t mean easy traveling though. Now we have to watch out for these little buoys that indicate a crab pot is below. They’re smaller than a soccer ball, so not super easy to see. However, we don’t want that line wrapped around a prop, so I head up to the bow to be on the lookout We successfully navigate the mine field of crab pots and make it to the channel heading to the marina.

After docking at their most difficult slip, while sleep deprived and hungry, we learn we’re at the wrong marina. What the ever living heck?! Who allowed two marinas to be called such similar names? Once we are docked and set up, this lady took a nap! Then we walked to some shops and grabbed a bite to eat and are making it an early night. I hope you enjoy the read and pics. Make it a great night/day! Be a blessing and be blessed!