Day 8 -- Problems in Port Charlotte

We had great wind in the early morning and were going about 4-5 knots, which was considered fast for our trip. For some reason, though, we decided to keep the motor running, which burnt up all of our fuel. We made some progress and were happy to have groceries and beer. Brian and Prewitt began enjoying said groceries and beer at about 9:30, and the suns might had them napping by noon and later on in the day. The lack of fuel caused us to make another detour in our course to fill up tanks once again.

Port Charlotte was the closest point before sun down, but getting in proved difficult. The current was ripping toward the Gulf as we approached the port, and we were at a stand still with our motor running top speed. There were jagged rocks and shallows on both sides of us, and a quick tack could have proven disastrous for our voyage and the life of Ella. The only place we could see to land was a private pier, which too us 30 minutes to fight the current and get to. Prewitt, Jesse and McQuade left to get gas, and were quickly schooled on the livelihood that is the island we landed on, well lack of livelihood. We were tied to a pier on Gasparilla Island, which is near Boca Grande. They were picked up by a man on a golf cart who told them there weren't many options for gas on the island. He drove them to the marina and it was closed, and from there they were taken by a young man -- age 17, I believe -- to a gas station about 45 minutes away.

Brian and I were forced to sit on the boat as our ghetto rigging to the pier held us tight while the current ripped by us. One snap of the rope and we'd have been wrecked into a piling or beached. Some local vacationers and their kids were on the pier fishing and they told stories of catching 12-foot bull sharks from this very spot. That got my attention because I'm fearful of sharks and I had earlier told Jesse not to jump in with a rope and swim us to the dock. My reasoning was because of the current being too strong, but gladly he opted out of it.

They arrived back with gas and batteries and we pushed off, whilst there were many signs of attacking sea life around the boat as splashes and snaps were a constant. Our arrival into the Gulf was tense. Several of us lost our cool as we could not properly navigate with ease the channel of Port Charlotte, and were fearful we would run aground. We made it out and I realized how home sick I was. I needed some good sleep, so I medicated and zonked out for a few restless, sweaty hours.