Forever Friday

Took off Monday morning via rental car to Key Largo to go see our dear friends, Tricia and Tony, who hosted us at the Ocean Reef Club. Super interesting drive through the Everglades with tons of signs for airboat rides. Upon our arrival, went to the pool for their famous Reef Cup (with a floater, of course!). Super yummy rum cocktail. Back to the house where Tricia made us an incredible dinner. Mike and I brought the party power ball…

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I apologize in advance for the length of this blog entry. Departed Aquamarine Harbor on December 10 for the short run south to Pelican Bay which is adjacent to Cayo Costa State Park.   After our anchor watch beer, took the dinghy ashore and took a nice walk.  Beautiful island and park. We walked about a mile to the gulf which was raging.  The winds have been pretty fierce for some days.  Two red flags…no swimming allowed. We stopped at…

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Spent a very windy night at anchor in Clearwater this past Monday.  Tuesday morning, we took off and had a short sail south to Redington Shores.  Was a beautiful, albeit breezy and chilly, sail resplendent with beautiful views. The anchorage at Redington Shores was awesome, a little nook tucked away in between cute houses and condos. The Sea Breeze restaurant and bar had a dinghy dock a short way from the boat.  They give you a free draft beer with…

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Our last day in Apalachicola was awesome!  Mike, Kent, Heather, Ross (Ranger Tug 29) and I all met onshore at the dinghy dock around 3:00 to take our respective walks.  We agreed we’d all meet at the “brew pub” around 4:30.  Mike told me he planned to meet me around 3:40.  I had a beautiful walk around the town and water, and arrived at our favorite pub around 4:10.  I wasn’t surprised Mike wasn’t there yet as his 30 minutes…

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After our brief beach day at Shell Island, we took off for Wetappo Creek, a short 15 miles away. We sailed past Panama City which was absolutely devastated by Hurricane Michael.  Blue tarps were atop the remaining structures.  Trees were snapped like toothpicks, and the ones that still stood were bereft of their leaves. Sailed past a salvage operation for MV North Star, a 261 foot almost-built vessel.  The storm ripped her from the shipyard across the channel onto her…

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So, the plan was to leave Pensacola last Thursday, but the marine forecast was still no bueno, so we stayed another day.  Awoke to sunny skies, but a super brisk 35 degrees that felt even colder because it was very breezy.  Irrespective, we bundled up and took a long walk along the waterfront and around the town.  Although I couldn’t feel my nose, it was beautiful out and so nice to see the sun.  Did some additional chores, made cookies…

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Took off from our anchorage last Friday after some fog lifted.  Seas were super calm. First run along the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.  Lots of dolphins, which we’ve missed.  Beautiful homes and scenery. Got into Homeport Marina, Gulf Shores, AL late morning.  Our slip was the last one in the deepest part of the marina, aka…a sea wall slip.  Thank God for thrusters!  Backed our girl into the slip, and headed to LuLu’s for lunch.  LuLu’s is owned by Jimmy Buffett’s…

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After all the drama the morning at Bobby’s Fish Camp, we were happy to get to a secluded anchorage.  We went about 66 miles statute miles to Alabama River Cut Off anchorage.  Narrow anchorage with plenty of length for numerous boats.  Was lovely. We had dinner aboard Alysana during which a great thunderstorm passed by.  Let up a little on the dinghy ride back to the boat. Saw our first alligator the next morning!  It was small and a little…

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So, we’ve had some sketchy internet service the past few days (which was really nice).  Beautiful ride last Monday to Rattlesnake Bend with Heartbeat and Alysana. We passed these stark white cliffs that were amazing! Got into our anchorage @ 2:45.  Did Happy Hour on Alysana and were treated to a spectacular sunset. The sunrise was beautiful too, but I didn’t dare go outside as I saw a bunch of mosquitos.  I believe they are Alabama’s state bird.  Heartbeat and…

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Mom – I’m sorry it’s taken so long for this post!  So, last Wednesday, Mike and I toured around Columbus, MS.  Tennessee Williams, the playwright, was born in Columbus in 1911.  His childhood home is now the welcome center for this town.  Although renovated, the house is 135 years old. There are a number of historic homes you can see in Columbus.  They are beautiful. We also went to the Friendship Cemetery where over 2000 Confederate soldiers are buried.  A…

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