Wednesday, December 30, 2015

Anchored Out

We have been in the marina way too long. It was time to get out for a bit. We left this morning and went a little ways west on Clear Lake and anchored (I don't know why they call it Clear Lake, it is neither clear nor a lake). It is not the Keys, but at least the boat is pointed into the wind again. It is nice to feel the boat swing and move.

There is only one high rise on Clear Lake and it kinda sticks out like a sore thumb, but I am sure the view from the condos is spectacular.


There are a few other boats anchored here.




 


 

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Fuel Prices, Got to Love It

When we arrived in Houston I intentionally only had about 75 gallons of diesel left aboard. I figured fuel would be much cheaper here in Texas than it was in Florida. Much to my dismay it was almost 50 cents a gallon more than I paid in Panama City Florida and the same price that I paid in the Keys. The problem I figured out was a lack of competition. There is only one fuel dock on Clear Lake so they are not too interested in giving you a good price. They are charging $ 2.75 per gallon at the fuel dock. Diesel at gas stations (which includes road tax) varies from $1.86 to $2.19. I could not bring myself to pay the fuel dock price so I borrowed a few cans and off to Exxon I go, $1.89 per gallon. Seven trips with five 5 gallon  jugs. 175 gallons later we now have 250 gallons aboard which should get us back to Panama City with 75 gallons to spare.

Sharon asked me if it was worth the trouble for $150 in savings. I told her there were days in my life that I worked all day long on a hot roof or in an attic and made less than that. It was definitely worth it. I have done this several times before in the Keys but had to load the jugs in the dingy to get them out to the boat, being at a dock made this time considerably easier.

I filled the car up yesterday and paid $1.54 for gas. I love it.

7 trips and a total of about 8 hours.