Welcome to Embree Marine

Salt Creek is just that--a creek.  As we pulled into the creek, I was unsure about getting our 5 foot draft boat through this skinny water.  I saw large Coast Guard ships on either side--but that was not any great consolation as we road further and further up this creek toward Embree.  We made it with a zero reading on the depth sounder--meaning we were close to if not scraping the bottom of the creek.  

We were met at the dock by helpful dock hands who helped us get settled and informed us that we would have to wait until high tide to move the boat because the high winds the previous night had blown out all the water from the creek.  High Tide--1:00p.m.  It was 8:30--my plans to be on the road at 9:00 were blown to smithereens.  

We have to move the boat into this sling.  The sling is lifted by the machine which then rolls the boat out of the water and onto land where it will rest on blocks and tripod stabilizers.  As the pictures below show--there is just not enough water in this creek to go  much further.  I still can't believe we made it through.

Sensing my great disappointment and hunger--Steve decided we should leave for a while to explore and grab something to eat.  We have not had traditional Mexican food since we arrived in St. Pete.  Thanks to the Yelp app on our phone, we found one and headed over.  This little restaurant is a cross between a breakfast hangout and a Mexican restaurant.  We were handed breakfast menus--all the patrons were eating huge breakfasts--which we declined and requested the lunch menu.  

After lunch we discovered Central Avenue.  We found Haslam's Book Store.  I had to visit this place after finding Chamblin's Bookmine in Jacksonville.  See my post about Chamblin's in Jacksonville here.   Haslam's is definitely better organized but Chamblin's seems bigger--maybe because of its maze like aisles of books.  Both are great places for book lovers.  

After returning to Embree we walked around to discover this boat being delivered to Universal Studios in Orlando.  We met the builder of this boat--his business is next to Embree.  

I took Piper for a walk around the area where I crossed a small bridge and could see Meandering Joy.  

Looks like we finally have enough water in Salt Creek to get going with the haul out--Tugly and Baltic are floating!!!