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!