I would like to welcome you to my blog, Southern Crosses, which just happens to be the name of my newly released novel. Southern Crosses was several years in the making, and was quite a project of mine. I wanted to take you on a sailing adventure along the western coast of present day Florida, one with a few twists and turns along the way.

For the reader familiar with the area, some locations will be easily recognized. It was my intent to give you a sense of reality while referencing known landmarks and local hot spots. The story itself is purely fictional, but very believable. I’ve taken my background as a Deputy Sheriff and live aboard sailor and transformed some bits and pieces of my experiences into an adventure novel.

I invite you to go along for a great story and then join me here on my new blog. I’ll be sharing some of my sailing stories and photos along the way combined with newsworthy events along the beaches.

Please feel free to let me know what you would like to see added to this blog, or even in my next novel.

Thanks for stopping by,

Larry

Key Largo dive

The Captain and Admiral

I retired from law enforcement in 2000 after an extensive career with a central Florida sheriff’s office. While there I worked everything from patrol deputy, undercover narcotics agent, detective, and helicopter pilot. I’m now employed with an international security company working worldwide. I’ve had the great opportunity to visit many countries and meet lots of truly great folks along the way. During my travels I penned Southern Crosses, my first novel of a planned series.

My wife Sheree, and Admiral of the vessel, is also retired from the sheriff’s office. Sheree has been a great sailing companion along the way. I may be the Captain, but she is the Admiral. Life at sea has many of the same rules as a shore based marriage. When the Admiral makes a suggestion, well, the Captain jumps! Sheree has been a wonderful companion along the way and is always willing to try a new adventure.

And now for the vessel’s first mate, Abby, who is a 12 year old Umbrella Cockatoo and sailing enthusiast. She is quite a talker and stays involved in every aspect of boat life. She is also a fantastic watch bird while at anchor. Abby is a big part of our lives and travels everywhere with us offering unlimited advice along the way. When the weather is bad, sailing is rough, and we are all tired, Abby brings a little extra sunshine into our lives.

First-Mate Abby

Thanks again for visiting and I do welcome your comments. Please feel free to browse the cruising logs, stories and book review sections. I look forward to hearing from everyone, thanks again.

From the decks of the s/v AbbyGale

Larry and crew

Resting at anchor

The engine burns less than 1 gallon of diesel fuel an hour when making a little over 6 knots. We generally only use the engine to get into, and away from the dock, or operating in the crowded Inter Coastal Waterway (ICW). We also use the engine while waiting for a draw bridge to open. Once we get into open water the engine is silenced and the sails raised. It is amazing how peaceful and quiet it gets when all you hear is water slipping past the hull.

Starting at the bow, or forward end, there is a bunk there, referred to as a Vee berth. That is because of the ‘V’ shape due to the hull widening as it goes aft. We generally use this area for storage when not occupied by visitors. There is also a forward head (bathroom) complete with a shower. We have a 10 gallon hot water heater on board that is heated with shore power, 110volts, when at the dock. When we are underway the cooling water from the engine provides the heat, and great caution must be taken as the water temp is up to 170F.

Looking aft towards the galley

Next is the main salon, or living room. This is where the First Mate (Abby’s) quarters are located. We spend most of our below deck time here. The galley, or kitchen, is located on the port side. We have a 12 volt reefer and a propane 3 burner stove. The double galley sink has fresh or salt water available for washing.

Main salon along with the First Mates quarters

Coming aft down the starboard side is our pantry, work bench, navigation station, and storage bins. The engine room access is in this passageway as well.

All the way aft is the master stateroom. We have a nice full sized pillow top mattress that sleeps wonderfully as we gently rock at anchor. With the deck hatches open we sleep with a soft breeze most nights. There is another full head (bathroom) adjoining this stateroom as well. Just about every inch of space is used in some way or another for storage. Keeping tabs of what is where can be a daunting task at times. Most of our time completing a project is the simple act of finding what we are looking for if it hasn’t been touched in a while.

She is a very comfortable sailing vessel and solidly built. The boat will handle much harsher weather than what we are willing to sail in. All in all she has been a very seaworthy home while encouraging us along the way into greater adventures.

Back at the dock

I will continually update this blog with travels and adventures in and around the coastal areas of Florida. Do you have a favorite beach side tiki bar, sport, or hobby along the seashore you would like to write about? Well then, here it is, the place for your thoughts, opinions, or suggestions.

Just give me a minute to get the first mate up on watch and I’ll get busy responding to your feedback.

First Mate in command

Bulk rate purchases are available upon request, for a quote, please contact me at:

annen@southerncrosses.com

Please contact me at the above address should you be interested in any book signing events in the Florida area.

http://www.lulu.com/product/paperback/southern-crosses/3885301

http://www.amazon.com/Southern-Crosses-Lawrence-Annen/dp/0615246605/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1256048486&sr=8-1

http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Southern-Crosses/Lawrence-Annen/e/9780615246604/?itm=1&usri=southern+crosses