Another possible route is to take a leisurely day from Apalachicola to St. Marks, which will keep you in the the upper end of the big-bend until you have reached the easternmost part. If the weather is good, you only need to enter the St. Marks a mile or two and anchor for the night within sight of the lighthouse. If the weather is bad, then I recommend going all the way into St. Marks, about 8.5 nm,, and staying at one of the two marinas there. The next day, you can leave early and make it to Crystal River by nightfall. Excellent channel, well lighted, easy night entrance. The same advice applies: you can anchor for the evening at the outer end of the channel if the wx is good, if not, go all the way in to the protected area surrounding the old cross-florida barge canal, and close to the nuke plant. Finally, the last day for completing the crossing is an easy day sail to Anclote Keys, or more exactly, to the anchorage just inside the Tarpon River by the basin of the power plant. After that, in about two hours you will rejoin the GICW. Take the extra time, unless you are trying to outrun a cold front. Watch the wx, leave right after a front, and it can be a smooth crossing. Heed Rich Gano's advice re the crab traps. Even with posting a careful watch, it is difficult to imagine and avoid the numbers you will find 40 miles off shore. Martin Veiner ____________________________________________________________ Woman is 53 But Looks 25 Mom reveals 1 simple wrinkle trick that has angered doctors... http://thirdpartyoffers.juno.com/TGL3131/50684dce531904dce4087st04vuc