The Goodyear Blimp!

Weather: Temp range was 68 to 79 degrees; early clouds gave way to mostly sunny skies by the afternoon; E around 10 knots

Comment: We raised the anchor, passed through the Parker Bridge and entered Lake Worth. Rather than the striking turquoise water of two years ago, the lake water was dark and murky. Quit a change from our last visit.

Swabbie Ed was at the helm for passage through the Lake Avenue Beach Boulevard Bascule Bridge. The bridge captain timed the bridge for our speed and Ed was able to pass through without powering down. Smooth!

Today saw the beginning of the 35 mile stretch of the “Canyon.” From here to Fort Lauderdale the waterway has concrete bulkheads on both sides. Wake from passing vessels bounces off the walls and slow moving traffic (us) rock and roll until the offending craft is well out of sight.

On the day, we passed through 17 bascule bridges. One particular boat that passed us displayed a female crew in a bikini. Contrast that with one “Sunshine" crew member who was dressed in a winter jacket!

Just past the Hillsborough Inlet, we were intercepted by the Goodyear Blimp. It was flying over us for about ten minutes. Me thinks the blimp crew was filming "Texans Trying to Steer A Straight Course" for a PBS special on brain function. To this day, there is no documentable evidence that it is possible. Is the ability to steer in a straight line a function of the left brain, right brain, no brain or geography? Researchers remain undecided!