Danny at the Beach
Susan at the Beach
We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Danny and I walked to the beach with Sydney and Abby. What a stress less Christmas. We went to Colleen and Norman Glad's place for a beautiful Christmas dinner.
December 25, 2009
Significant Downsizing in the Christmas Decoration Department
Danny at the Beach
Susan at the Beach
We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Danny and I walked to the beach with Sydney and Abby. What a stress less Christmas. We went to Colleen and Norman Glad's place for a beautiful Christmas dinner.
Danny at the Beach
Susan at the Beach
We would like to wish everyone a Merry Christmas. Danny and I walked to the beach with Sydney and Abby. What a stress less Christmas. We went to Colleen and Norman Glad's place for a beautiful Christmas dinner.
December 14 - 24, 2009
Welcome to Clearwater Beach
Clearwater Beach - Beautiful Sand
When I Miss Skiing I Watch the Beach Being Groomed
Sponges Being Cleaned
Bag of Sponges
We are now settled in Clearwater, Florida and will be here for a month. It is nice to be in one place. We are doing the tourist thing, walking the beach and touring in the car we rented. We did some visiting of some Schreiber people that are now in Florida, Norman and Colleen Glad and Kay and Harold Gellert. Nice to see everyone. We drove with another couple Ted and Nancy off of the boat Aloha Friday to Tarpon Springs which is a little Greek town that is famous for the harvesting of sponges and of course the Greek food in town is great. Danny with the help of Roger has been doing some boat repairs. He is also in the process of hooking up the solar panels on the top of the boat. We will have an ice maker all the time we are out on anchor.
Clearwater Beach - Beautiful Sand
When I Miss Skiing I Watch the Beach Being Groomed
Sponges Being Cleaned
Bag of Sponges
We are now settled in Clearwater, Florida and will be here for a month. It is nice to be in one place. We are doing the tourist thing, walking the beach and touring in the car we rented. We did some visiting of some Schreiber people that are now in Florida, Norman and Colleen Glad and Kay and Harold Gellert. Nice to see everyone. We drove with another couple Ted and Nancy off of the boat Aloha Friday to Tarpon Springs which is a little Greek town that is famous for the harvesting of sponges and of course the Greek food in town is great. Danny with the help of Roger has been doing some boat repairs. He is also in the process of hooking up the solar panels on the top of the boat. We will have an ice maker all the time we are out on anchor.
December 13, 2009
Looks Like Lake Superior
Nothing on the Radar
And There it is, the Marker we Aimed For
I Promise This is the Last Dolphin Picture
Carrabelle, Florida to Clearwater, Florida - Started our crossing at 12 noon. It was foggy when we left. Danny took a heading for the Clearwater harbour marker 160 nautical miles and off we went. The other boats that were with us took a longer route and headed east and then south. Darkness came early, there was no moon and no stars just blackness. Due to the length of the trip and short daylight hours the secret is to get into Clearwater during daylight hours so you can dodge the crab pots. More dolphins were playing in the wake, they seem to be an everyday occurrence. Arrived in Clearwater around 8.00 a.m., with heavy fog which burned off by noon and it became sunny and warm. We even had to turn the air conditioning on. What a switch! Karen from the vessel Karen Anne caught our lines. We travelled with her and Roger on the river systems. It was nice to see an old friend. Roger is away until Thursday, so Karen came out with us for dinner.
Nothing on the Radar
And There it is, the Marker we Aimed For
I Promise This is the Last Dolphin Picture
Carrabelle, Florida to Clearwater, Florida - Started our crossing at 12 noon. It was foggy when we left. Danny took a heading for the Clearwater harbour marker 160 nautical miles and off we went. The other boats that were with us took a longer route and headed east and then south. Darkness came early, there was no moon and no stars just blackness. Due to the length of the trip and short daylight hours the secret is to get into Clearwater during daylight hours so you can dodge the crab pots. More dolphins were playing in the wake, they seem to be an everyday occurrence. Arrived in Clearwater around 8.00 a.m., with heavy fog which burned off by noon and it became sunny and warm. We even had to turn the air conditioning on. What a switch! Karen from the vessel Karen Anne caught our lines. We travelled with her and Roger on the river systems. It was nice to see an old friend. Roger is away until Thursday, so Karen came out with us for dinner.
December 11 - 12, 2009
Fisherman Anchored Cleaning Fish with His Friends the Pelican and Gulls
Fishing Fleet
Boat Parade
Boat Parade Winner for Under 30 Feet
Apalachicola, Florida to Carrabelle, Florida - Rained off and on all day. Stopped at C-Quarters for fuel and were planning on staying. Walked around the town and saw the Moorings Marina and liked it much better and moved, phoned the other boats that we were meeting and told them to change their reservations to the Moorings as the other marina was a scene from the movie Deliverance. The town is also depressed with many unfinished condo and marina developments. The town had a Christmas boat parade which ended with fireworks.
Fishing Fleet
Boat Parade
Boat Parade Winner for Under 30 Feet
Apalachicola, Florida to Carrabelle, Florida - Rained off and on all day. Stopped at C-Quarters for fuel and were planning on staying. Walked around the town and saw the Moorings Marina and liked it much better and moved, phoned the other boats that we were meeting and told them to change their reservations to the Moorings as the other marina was a scene from the movie Deliverance. The town is also depressed with many unfinished condo and marina developments. The town had a Christmas boat parade which ended with fireworks.
December 10, 2009
Fishing Hut in the Swamp
Lots of Oyster Restaurants
Oyster Shells for Mulch
Floating House for Sale
Port St. Joe, Florida to Apalachicola, Florida - It was cold and windy with rain on and off all day. The ICW is thru heavy cypress swamps and it appears to be impenetrable. It has many homemade fishing shacks on the shores much like our ice fishing huts. Apalachicola is the oyster capital of Florida and is very commercialized to harvest oysters. We did go out to Papa Joe's to try the local fare. Walked around town to see the local sites, the economy is depressed and it has many empty buildings.
Lots of Oyster Restaurants
Oyster Shells for Mulch
Floating House for Sale
Port St. Joe, Florida to Apalachicola, Florida - It was cold and windy with rain on and off all day. The ICW is thru heavy cypress swamps and it appears to be impenetrable. It has many homemade fishing shacks on the shores much like our ice fishing huts. Apalachicola is the oyster capital of Florida and is very commercialized to harvest oysters. We did go out to Papa Joe's to try the local fare. Walked around town to see the local sites, the economy is depressed and it has many empty buildings.
December 8 - 9, 2009
Free Boat Anyone
Cypress Tree Swamp
Low Lying Swamp with Sea Grass
Panama City, Florida to Port St. Joe, Florida - It was overcast and cool most of the day with light rain. We went thru the Intracoastal Waterway as there was 15 knot wind. Very shallow most of the way with a lot of low lying swamp land. The dolphin were playing around our boat and we seen our first manatee. We were invited to go to the Mexican Restaurant with 32 other loopers. Danny today is busy washing the salt off the boat and that will keep him busy the whole time we will be on the salt water. Port St. Joe is a beautiful area, the marina is walking distance to everything one might need. I will go out exploring this afternoon.
Cypress Tree Swamp
Low Lying Swamp with Sea Grass
Panama City, Florida to Port St. Joe, Florida - It was overcast and cool most of the day with light rain. We went thru the Intracoastal Waterway as there was 15 knot wind. Very shallow most of the way with a lot of low lying swamp land. The dolphin were playing around our boat and we seen our first manatee. We were invited to go to the Mexican Restaurant with 32 other loopers. Danny today is busy washing the salt off the boat and that will keep him busy the whole time we will be on the salt water. Port St. Joe is a beautiful area, the marina is walking distance to everything one might need. I will go out exploring this afternoon.
December 7, 2009
Panama City, Florida - We met Eddie and Jeannie Mahon for breakfast at the Marriott Hotel before they left for their home in Kingsland, Georgia. We walked to the hotel to exercise some of the southern cooking off. We stayed at the marina for the day and did the laundry and visited with some loopers. The marina does not have floating docks just pile poles and 12 foot docks. This makes for lousy exit and entry we were told this is typical Florida so we will have to get used to it.
November 30 - December 6, 2009
Main Street Natchitoches
Gay's Southern Feast - She is Famous for Her Great Meat Pies
One of the Many Marching Bands in the Parade
Parade
Collecting Beads
Steel Magnolia House - This is Where the Movie was Made
Fireworks
Fort Walton Beach, Florida to Panama City, Florida - We left our boat at Bay Point Marina in Panama City and off we went by car with Jeannie and Eddie Mahon who picked us up to take us to Natchitoches, Louisiana for a Christmas Festival. We had a great time but the weather did not co-operate, they even had some snow. The kids ran around the streets catching the snowflakes in their mouths. Snow is something we are used to and it did not excite us. We stayed at the home of L. J. and Gay Melder and were treated like royalty. The Melder's live on the main street in a historic home which is close to all the activities of the weekend. We did a lot of eating of southern food, I just love it and was a little disappointed to leave as now I will have to learn how to make crawfish etouffee by far one of my favourite southern dish.
Gay's Southern Feast - She is Famous for Her Great Meat Pies
One of the Many Marching Bands in the Parade
Parade
Collecting Beads
Steel Magnolia House - This is Where the Movie was Made
Fireworks
Fort Walton Beach, Florida to Panama City, Florida - We left our boat at Bay Point Marina in Panama City and off we went by car with Jeannie and Eddie Mahon who picked us up to take us to Natchitoches, Louisiana for a Christmas Festival. We had a great time but the weather did not co-operate, they even had some snow. The kids ran around the streets catching the snowflakes in their mouths. Snow is something we are used to and it did not excite us. We stayed at the home of L. J. and Gay Melder and were treated like royalty. The Melder's live on the main street in a historic home which is close to all the activities of the weekend. We did a lot of eating of southern food, I just love it and was a little disappointed to leave as now I will have to learn how to make crawfish etouffee by far one of my favourite southern dish.
November 29, 2009
Intracoastal Waterway at Fort Walton Beach
Pelicans Mark the Way
Looks Like We Trained the Dolphins
Fort Walton Beach to Bay Point Marina, Panama City, Florida - A beautiful sunny day, temperature got to 72 F. The dolphin continued to play in front of the boat, following us. They were on three sides. I just love watching those dolphins, we should import some for Lake Superior. Every navigation marker seemed to have a pelican on it. At the Bay Point Marina, we had to back into our slip as we only have 10 feet of dock and then you have pelican poles to tie to. This is a new way of docking for us. We are leaving our boat here as we are heading to Natchitoches, Louisiana for Christmas Fest. Eddie and Jeannie Mahon are picking us up in the morning and we will be away for a week.
Pelicans Mark the Way
Looks Like We Trained the Dolphins
Fort Walton Beach to Bay Point Marina, Panama City, Florida - A beautiful sunny day, temperature got to 72 F. The dolphin continued to play in front of the boat, following us. They were on three sides. I just love watching those dolphins, we should import some for Lake Superior. Every navigation marker seemed to have a pelican on it. At the Bay Point Marina, we had to back into our slip as we only have 10 feet of dock and then you have pelican poles to tie to. This is a new way of docking for us. We are leaving our boat here as we are heading to Natchitoches, Louisiana for Christmas Fest. Eddie and Jeannie Mahon are picking us up in the morning and we will be away for a week.
November 27 - 28, 2009
Colourful Condo Complex with Sand Beach
Miles and Miles of Sand Beaches
Welcome Sign
First Lighthouse Since the Great Lakes
Dolphins at Play
Dolphins at Play
Christmas at the Park in Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Roberts Bayou to Fort Walton Beach, Florida - It was very cold this morning with frost on the roofs of the houses but the sun was shinning and it warmed up quickly. The sand beaches in this area are beautiful and plentiful. Lots of dolphins playing in the bow wake. This makes my day. Seen my first lighthouse since we left the Great Lakes. We are now in Florida staying at the town dock in Fort Walton Beach. A beautiful park and we are right downtown. I think we will stay another day.
Miles and Miles of Sand Beaches
Welcome Sign
First Lighthouse Since the Great Lakes
Dolphins at Play
Dolphins at Play
Christmas at the Park in Fort Walton Beach, Florida
Roberts Bayou to Fort Walton Beach, Florida - It was very cold this morning with frost on the roofs of the houses but the sun was shinning and it warmed up quickly. The sand beaches in this area are beautiful and plentiful. Lots of dolphins playing in the bow wake. This makes my day. Seen my first lighthouse since we left the Great Lakes. We are now in Florida staying at the town dock in Fort Walton Beach. A beautiful park and we are right downtown. I think we will stay another day.
November 26, 2009
Start of the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW)
LuLu's Restaruant (Jimmy Buffet's Sister)
Derelict Boats at Roberts Bayou
Fairhope, Alabama to Pirates Cove, Roberts Bayou - Crossed Mobile Bay to the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), we have tides and salt water to contend with. In this area it is a 2 foot tide. Lots of pelicans and sea birds fishing to entertain us. The dolphin are swimming in our bow wake, can't seem to get a good picture. They aren't posing like Flipper. We stopped at Lulu's (Jimmy Buffet's sister) for brunch but it was closed due to Thanksgiving. Beautiful homes on the ICW not like the river systems much more palaceous. We anchored in Roberts Bayou for the night a beautiful anchorage with lots of boats littering the shores, remnants from Hurricane Katrina, apparently you can not salvage these boats as they do have owners, even though it does not look like it.
LuLu's Restaruant (Jimmy Buffet's Sister)
Derelict Boats at Roberts Bayou
Fairhope, Alabama to Pirates Cove, Roberts Bayou - Crossed Mobile Bay to the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW), we have tides and salt water to contend with. In this area it is a 2 foot tide. Lots of pelicans and sea birds fishing to entertain us. The dolphin are swimming in our bow wake, can't seem to get a good picture. They aren't posing like Flipper. We stopped at Lulu's (Jimmy Buffet's sister) for brunch but it was closed due to Thanksgiving. Beautiful homes on the ICW not like the river systems much more palaceous. We anchored in Roberts Bayou for the night a beautiful anchorage with lots of boats littering the shores, remnants from Hurricane Katrina, apparently you can not salvage these boats as they do have owners, even though it does not look like it.
November 24 - 25, 2009
Downtown Fairhope, Alabama
Some of the Grounds at the Grand Hotel
Francine and Me at the Grand Hotel
Dog River Marina Mobile, Alabama to Eastern Shores Marina Fairhope, Alabama - We stayed at Dog River until Danny finished installing the solar panels on the roof. A partial install, he will finish the job when he has some time. The weather on both days was warm but the evenings cooled down. We decided at last minute to go across the bay to the town of Fairhope. A beautiful town with its four season planting beds. Fine homes and a beautiful downtown area. We did some exploring with Wayne and Francine from the vessel My Way, a fun couple. The town lights up when all trees sparkle with the mini lights for the holiday season. I wonder who keeps those mini lights going as everyone knows it is a big job. We had the courtesy car for most of the time we were there. We ate in the local restaurnats, the finest being the Grand Hotel. The hotel was destroyed by hurricanes numerous times, the latest being Katrina when it was closed for a year. You think they would cut there loses and not rebuild. I was the designated driver as the guys were over served.
Some of the Grounds at the Grand Hotel
Francine and Me at the Grand Hotel
Dog River Marina Mobile, Alabama to Eastern Shores Marina Fairhope, Alabama - We stayed at Dog River until Danny finished installing the solar panels on the roof. A partial install, he will finish the job when he has some time. The weather on both days was warm but the evenings cooled down. We decided at last minute to go across the bay to the town of Fairhope. A beautiful town with its four season planting beds. Fine homes and a beautiful downtown area. We did some exploring with Wayne and Francine from the vessel My Way, a fun couple. The town lights up when all trees sparkle with the mini lights for the holiday season. I wonder who keeps those mini lights going as everyone knows it is a big job. We had the courtesy car for most of the time we were there. We ate in the local restaurnats, the finest being the Grand Hotel. The hotel was destroyed by hurricanes numerous times, the latest being Katrina when it was closed for a year. You think they would cut there loses and not rebuild. I was the designated driver as the guys were over served.
November 23, 2009
Yet Another River House
Tenn-Tom Black Warrior River Flooding
Tow Captains Refer to This as the Dolly Parton Bridge
Coming into Mobile Alabama
Ship Loading
Ship Repair
New Style U.S. Navy Ship Being Built
U.S. Navy Ship at Dry Dock
Ship Graveyard
Pelicans Fishing
Shrimp Boat
Bates Lake Anchorage Mileage 54 to Dog River Marina, Mobile Alabama - We followed 3 other looper boats down the river. It was cool and overcast but the sun did come out. There was lots of flooding in the lower river due to the heavy rains. Mobile is a very busy seaport with lots of activity for miles and miles. Thank god we are finally off the river and onto some open salt water. We are not river people. Mobile Bay is 8 to 10 deep with the shipping lanes deeper. A little intimidating. Dog River Marina is a working marina, with lots of boats being repaired so we only stayed one night.
Tenn-Tom Black Warrior River Flooding
Tow Captains Refer to This as the Dolly Parton Bridge
Coming into Mobile Alabama
Ship Loading
Ship Repair
New Style U.S. Navy Ship Being Built
U.S. Navy Ship at Dry Dock
Ship Graveyard
Pelicans Fishing
Shrimp Boat
Bates Lake Anchorage Mileage 54 to Dog River Marina, Mobile Alabama - We followed 3 other looper boats down the river. It was cool and overcast but the sun did come out. There was lots of flooding in the lower river due to the heavy rains. Mobile is a very busy seaport with lots of activity for miles and miles. Thank god we are finally off the river and onto some open salt water. We are not river people. Mobile Bay is 8 to 10 deep with the shipping lanes deeper. A little intimidating. Dog River Marina is a working marina, with lots of boats being repaired so we only stayed one night.
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