Still waiting!!

November 29, 2011

Even windier today!  It was definitely gusting to 30!

They spent today doing little things – Greg got a haircut and Kate baked.

Jolly Tolley came in today around 2:00 PM.  They all had cocktails together aboard my friend Boreas.

Tomorrow I am leaving with Boreas and Brandy IV heading to Apalachicola.  Hoping to make a crossing on Friday.  PLEASE!!!!

Waiting for a weather window!

November 25 – 28, 2011

I left Panama City Marina on a windy Friday morning to go back a mile to Bay Point Marina.  The way in is a bit tricky, but it’s cheaper and nicer, and I am meeting my friend Boreas.  Once Around and Spirit of Whitby later joined us.  They all had cocktails on my upper deck and then went to the restaurant in the marina.

Can you find your way?

On Saturday they did some chores and cleaned me up a bit.  Then they left me to go sit by the pool (yes, it was that warm!).  They finally came back, watched some football, and had a mini-Thanksgiving dinner.

Kate at the pool

Sunday was very windy!  Greg worked on my radio because I’ve had some problems hearing others.  Then they left me again, this time to do some Christmas shopping.  Kate came back with bags, so I’m guessing it was successful!

They got home just before the rains started.  More friends, Brandy IV and The Cooper had come in.  They said it was rough out there!  It rained pretty heavily off and on all night.

Monday was another windy, rainy day. Greg cleaned my strainers, so I feel better.  Then he spent a lot of time plotting different routes from different departure points.  This waiting is boring!  Looks like Thursday might be “crossing day”.

Panama City, FL

November 23 & 24, 2011

Happy Thanksgiving!!

We were up at the crack of early on Wednesday to get going.  It rained pretty hard during the night, but was clear and warm that morning.

Gulf Intercoastal 

We had a bit of excitement on the ride.  A “Mayday” call appeared on our AIS.  It kept showing up, so Greg contacted the Coast Guard.  They already had a helicopter out, so they checked on the coordinates we had and the boat name.  They did let us know that it was a malfunction and no one was in any danger.

There were not many boats out Wednesday, so we made good time to Panama City Marina.  I pulled in at 2:00 PM.

On Thanksgiving Day they went to dinner with 30 others at the home of Greg & Carl Vernon.  They provided turkey, ham, and stuffing, along with some drinks.  The “Loopers” all brought sides.  Kate said it was a lot of fun, and delicious!!

They returned to the marina about 4 PM and everybody sat outside to watch a really beautiful sunset!

Sunset over Panama City Marina

Ft. Walton Beach, FL

November 22, 2011

This morning was clear, sunny and warm.  We left at 7:20 AM to try and get to Fort Walton Beach before the predicted storms hit.

Colorful houses along the ICW

We saw lots of dolphin again today – boy, they’re fast!  We also saw the Navy’s Blue Angels practicing (or playing) today.  Lots of fun!  And I’m in Florida!  Yeah!

Welcome to Florida!

I ended up at Ft. Walton Beach Yacht Basin at about 2:00 PM.  Greg stayed here last year with his buddies when they moved a boat in January.

Tomorrow we head to Panama City for the holiday!

Orange Beach, AL

November 21, 2011

I had to wait for fog (of course!) and a zinc this morning.  I am finally back in the water!

We got underway at 11:00 AM with Once Around.  We saw dolphin in the bay and then again as we entered the Intercoastal Waterway.  Just wish Kate was fast enough to get pictures!

Following "Once Around" out into the fog

I passed “Lulu’s”  (Lucy Buffet’s place) and met up again with Free To B, Something Special, and Brown-Eyed Girl.

We were all heading to the Marina at The Wharf. The people all got together for cocktails and then Greg, Kate & Frank & Carrie (Once Around) went to dinner.

"Free To B" docked at Lulu's

The weather for tomorrow is iffy so I don’t know where Greg and Kate will take me.  It is either stay here (not so good), Pensacola, or Ft. Walton Beach.  I guess I’ll know more when they get up in the fog tomorrow (or not!).

It’s just so nice to be back in the water again! 

Dog River Marina, Mobile, AL

November 12-20,2011

Oh, frabjuous day!!  I am whole again!

You are probably wondering where I have been – well, I got to Dog River Marina on the 12^th and have been sitting on the hard for the last 5 days!  Not much fun!  But, I am so pretty now!!!

I have been primped and preened!  My railing is fixed, my sides have been patched and buffed, and my bottom has been cleaned and painted.  Even my running gear has been done!  I feel like new again!

Clean and pretty again!

New railing

Nice and clean!

USS Alabama

Of course while this was going on Kate & Greg took a few side trips into Mobile, Fairhope, and Dauphin Island.

I should be back in the water first thing Monday (thank goodness!) and heading east on the lat leg of the trip for the winter.

Alabama Cut Off

November 11, 2011

It was supposed to be another 0-dark-hundred day, so everybody was up at 5:30 AM to leave by 6:30 but ----FOG!  Lots and lots of fog.  I finally was untied and headed off at 7:45 AM.

There's actually a boat out there!

There were 13 of us headed for the Coffeeville Lock.  We rafted off of Boreas and there were 2 others rafted also.  Fun!  Last lock until we hit the Okeechobee. Yes!!!

Rafted to Boreas waiting to be lowered

It was a beautiful day once the sun came out and warmed everything up.  We could finally take off our snowsuits!

They decided we would do about 60 miles and go to the Alabama River Cut Off to anchor.  I anchored starboard to starboard with Boreas so we would be secure and not swing.  Beautiful spot with plenty of depth and room.  Second Fantasy, Duddon Pilot, and Spirit of Whitby ended up anchored there with us. 

They had cocktails on Boreas with Fred and Julaine and then dinner onboard.  Tomorrow I will be in Mobile.  Done with freshwater – back to my natural habitat!  Saltwater!

Bobby's Fish Camp, Silas, AL

November 10, 2011

Another early day!  We had a Chinese fire drill this morning.  We had planned to leave at 6:30-6:45 AM, but saw 2 boats leaving from the marina at 6.   Greg called the lock and the lockmaster said he was already loading boats.  Well, they boogied then to get me outta here!  Boreas and I made the lock with 2 others behind us; a total of 8 boats in the lock.

Demopolis Lock and Dam

I am glad they hurried because the lock was closed after that for a repair to a hydraulic valve. Who knows how long I would have waited!

The morning was really cold when we started out, but once the sun came through the clouds it warmed up a bit.

We originally planned to anchor in Bashi Creek or Okatuppa Creek.  It was early when I passed Bashi so they decided to push on.  Okatuppa had 3 boats already anchored, so I went on to Bobby’s Fish Camp.  We ended up rafted off of Boreas, who in turn was rafted off Adessa.  There were 12 boats total, all rafted 3 deep.  Oh, well – it was an experience (sort of like Henry’s Fish House in Canada – only a bit worse!).  We still got charged $1.50 a foot for docking, rafted 3^rd in line and no electric!

They went to the restaurant and were a table of 10 (they joined my friend Duddon Pilot’s and Spirit of Whitby’s people, with Boreas and Adessa’s people too).  Catfish was the dinner of choice.  I think they all enjoyed.

Tonight is supposed to be very cold and tomorrow will be another early day.  My last lock and then I’m back to sea level and then saltwater!  Can’t wait!

Demopolis, AL

November 8 & 9, 2011

Greg got my anchor up and we were ready to go at 7:30 AM on Tues.  There was no wait at the Heflin Lock and we went right thru with 3 others and Slanty Shanty.  Glad to see that they had no big problems the ay before!

We had a real nice cruise to Demopolis with Boreas setting the pace.

I was getting fuel in Demopolis and had a big surprise.  My port tank took only 10 gallons!  My Starboard side took almost 96!  This is not right!  Greg thinks there might be a problem with the connector between the tanks.

When we got to our slip the dock master looked at it, then said he’d send a mechanic over in the AM.

Wednesday at 8 AM 2 mechanics showed up.  They blew air through the line to clear any obstruction and then checked a few other things.  They put it all back together; I hope I’m ok now!

It was a bit rainy today and they had planned to stay anyway, so at least I’m not losing any time.

Demopolis, AL

November 7, 2011

I left Columbus Marina at 6:40 AM with Boreas.  We are headed to an anchorage in Sumter County, AL.  We had 2 locks to go through today.

It was a beautiful day.  There was no wind, and it was sunny and clear.  We had no problems at either lock.  Sailed right on through!

The second lock (Tom Bevill) has a Visitor’s Center nearby and an old “Snag boat”.  These boats were used to clear the rivers and canals of debris.

We passed “Slanty Shanty” again.  They were on the side and had their engine cover off.  They didn’t wave us over, so we hope all is well with them.

We got to the anchorage early – around 2:45 PM.  It was a little tricky to get my anchor to grab hold, but it did.  There were 2 others in this spot, along with Boreas and I.  It was very quiet and peaceful.  Beautiful spot!

Columbus, MS

November 4-6, 2011

Friday was a cool and cloudy day, very gray.

Entrance channel into Aberdeen Marina, where we had spent the night

We only had to do one lock and it was right outside the marina.  Once through it was clear sailing to Columbus.

I passed Slanty Shanty again.  I hope those kids stay safe!

The weather got colder as the day passed.  I was glad to get to the marina and plugged in!  Columbus Marina is very nice.  They have a really nice courtesy van, which they used to go to dinner with Tom & Linda from Raydiance.

Saturday they went with Tom & Linda to Columbus, where they saw Tennessee Williams first home, and then to visit a plantation, the Waverly Mansion.  They found the mansion very interesting they said, and it is still lived in today!  Kate & Linda then went shopping at the Christmas Open House in the downtown.

Tennessee Williams home

Waverly Mansion

The oldest Magnolia tree in Mississippi

 

Sunday was spent getting everything ready to move again tomorrow.  We will be leaving early on Monday, as the days are getting shorter.  We have about 60 miles to go, and I will be anchoring.  Just hope the weather stays nice!

Aberdeen, MS

November 2-3, 2011

It was misty and chilly Wednesday morning when we got up, but there was no wind.  We headed to the Fulton Lock with 6 other boats.

We had no wait at Fulton.  Great start!  Only 2 more to go today!

Raydiance joined us at the 2^nd lock (Wilkins Lock) and travelled with us to Aberdeen Marina.  We got through all the locks with no difficulty.

Wilkins Lock

 

We saw the most interesting sight – a homemade raft going down the canal!  We had heard of them from others but never seen them before.  It’s a young couple who started from Pittsburg, travelling to Mobile and points beyond – with 2 chickens on board!  Find them at wewillnotdrown.blogspot.com.

"The Slanty Shanty"

The wind kicked up gradually during the day and was blowing a bit hard as we entered Aberdeen Marina’s channel.

That was interesting!  A very narrow, winding channel marked by pipes stuck in the bottom and painted.  It’s small and quiet, but very comfortable.

My people borrowed the courtesy car and went to dinner with Raydiance’s people, Tom & Linda Ray.  They said it was way out in the boonies!  I’m surprised they managed to find it and their way back!

Thursday dawned rainy, cold and windy.  I’m glad we stayed another day.  Greg did some maintenance (shower sump, strainers) and put up a new towel holder.  Kate did laundry (again!) and baked cookies ---- yum!!!

They all went to dinner again. Another trip into the wilds of rural Mississippi.  Thank goodness for smart phones so they don’t get lost and can find their way home to me again!

Well, it’s off to Columbus, MS in the morning. Hope to meet up with more friends there.

Fulton, MS

November 1, 2011

I woke up to fog again this morning.  We waited around a bit for it to clear.

Greg heard Raydiance calling the lock about conditions.  Then 20 Buck$ called us to say “be there by 9” in order to lock the group through. I suppose I should explain how the locks here work.  There are 7 locks in a row thru this area so the lockmasters like to get everyone grouped to lock thru as a group.  There were 8 of us in the Whitten Lock.  One woman got a little snippy about waiting.

Well --- next lock (Montgomery) we waited almost an hour – maybe because of someone’s impatience or just to wait for another boat that had locked through behind us.  Who knows?! (It wasn’t Kate – just so you know.)

We all got through the Rankin Lock with no problem.  Three others and I peeled off at Midway for that marina.  Midway marina was purchased by a couple that was travelling thru the area and liked it enough to buy it!  They do a really good job and I am told that these are some of the cleanest showers on the entire trip.  Not only that but they have a hot tub and lap pool!  Greg & Kate decided today would be a short day to help get everybody well again.  Seemed to work.  I think the sniffles are almost all gone! 

Some of the group leaving Rankin Lock

MIdway Marina

Don't go out of the channel!

Bay Springs Marina, New Site, MS

October 31, 2011

Happy Halloween!  Today I headed down the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway to Bay Springs Marina.  It was a gorgeous ride.  I passed 4 tows, but didn’t have to do any locks today.  An easy day!

Falll color along the Tenn-Tom

I passed the Holcutt Memorial.  Holcutt is the only town that had to be moved when they built the Tenn-Tom.

Holcutt Memorial

After we got to the marina, they had lunch and then borrowed the Marina car and drove to Tupelo, MS.  They said they were going to the grocery, but I know that was an excuse!  They wanted to drive part of the Natchez Trace.  They thought about going to Elvis’s birthplace but decided not to.

These guitars are all over downtown Tupelo!

At least they came back for dinner and didn’t stay out late!

This is a REALLY quiet marina.  We were the only people there on Halloween.  Kept waiting for “Freddie” to come calling!