Tarpon Springs ~ Opa Opa

It is Monday the 26th and we made it.  And I don't mean crossing the Gulf I mean those G-- D-- crab pots.  After going through them I said to Don I don't even know if I ever want to eat another crab, but I was just joking....  We were all tired so after we were tied up and checked in Don layed down for a bit.  I though was still wired so i cleaned up the kitchen and started to put away our ditch bags.  Will not need them till the Bahamas.  The Turtle Cove Marina was nice and there dozens of pelicans resting on the bushes going into the Marina.  There was another Looper's there Seaquel, Joe and Edie.  They met our boats and said they saw us come in.  It was nice to see them again.  Phil and Carolyn were hungry so they were going to go for lunch so I said we would going them later.  When Don got up we took our bike off the boat and went for a nice ride.  The town is unique, it is like someone plucked it out of Europe.  All the sponge and fishing boats everywhere.  I thought that any minute I would see Anthony Quinn walk around a corner. Opa!!!!  We stopped for a drink and a light lunch at Dimitri's on the water.  It was so nice to be sitting outside and just relaxing.  We rode around and could not find Phil and Carolyn so we went back to the boat. When we got back we found out that Carolyn had taken a very bad tumble over her bike and had injured her arm.  Not sure if it was broken they were to the hospital only to find out later that indeed Carolyn had broke her left elbow.  They were staying on their boat for the evening and we would talk to them in the morning.  We walked over to see Joe and Edie on Seaquel.  They are such nice and hospitable people.  They were moving on to Clearwater the next day.  You never know we may bump into them again.  We came back to the boat and cooked dinner and watched DWTS, it was the seasons second last show with the final tomorrow.  We were both very tired so going to bed by 11:00PM was NO problem....                                             

As we went to bed I said to Don I still tingle went I think of the crossing....

On Tuesday the 27th we got up around 8:00ish and we both felt so refreshed.  After some of Don's great coffee we decided to go for a walk through town.  Most shops do not open till 10:00AM but there were some and then there is always Hellas Bakery, yum yum.  So we stopped for coffee and a pastry and Don's USA Today....  We walked back to the boat and talked to Phil and Carolyn about her elbow.  They are waiting to hear from their insurance company back in New Zealand before they do anything or go anywhere.  The day was spectacular so we took our bike for a long ride to find a food store.  There was a great bike path that we took, till I found a store that had great decorations for Christmas.  So after she told me where the store was, we were off again but it was a little farther than we thought.  But all ended well, Don found a West Marine and I found a Big Lots.  On the way back we stopped at Dimitri's for a snack and a much needed cold beer.  We stopped and bought some sponges to take back home with us.  Tarpon Springs is the sponge capitol of the World.  We rode back to the boat and just relaxed for awhile.  Two more Looper's were arriving.  Great Laker and Maia.  It was so nice to see them again also.  Maia we met on Lake Michigan and Great Laker at the conference.  We met for drinks and munchies at 5:00PM.  It was interesting to talk about our crossings and how they differed.  The most important was that we all are safe and sound now.... 

Don and I went out to Hellas for dinner.  It was amazing.  Great food and great service.  I had lamb shanks and Don had fish.  Nice way to end our stay in a remarkable town.  We came back to the boat to watch the season finale of the DWTS.  What a finale....  Watched one more show then off to bed...

On Wed. morning the 28th. we got up and walked back to Hellas for breakfast.  We stopped and picked up a few souvenirs and then back to the boat.  Do we go or do we stay!!!!  We go, so we paid the bill and packed up and off we were again, this time off to Clearwater.  We hope to be able to catch up to Tom and Linda on Q's End ~ Licence To Travel....

See You On The Other Side

Good Bye Apalachicola

It is now Sunday the 25th.  The BIG day.  Don and I got up early and went for a great long bike ride.  What a beautiful morning.  The town is so quaint, from one store to the next.  As we rode our bike the sections became a little more seedy and I was glad to get out of there.  Came back to the boat and prepared the last of the things for the crossing.  After putting the bike back on board Phil and Carolyn wanted to go out for lunch so we dropped by Carolyn's Restaurant for one last time.  Phil needed his oyster fix....  Great lunch again...  We came back to the boat and called Capt. John and sent him an email with all of our info on the crossing so that we would  have someone on land, that if we did not call him back by a certain time and he could not reach us that he would call the Coast Guard.  It is a great precaution and it made me feel better.  Don took a short nap before we were scheduled to leave.  I on the other hand was all wired up so I cleaned the boat.....  Go figure...




Dolphins at Play

Well the time has come it is now 4:30PM and we are ready to go.  Loopy Kiwi took the lead and we followed  Don and Phil had spoke to many fisherman about going out the Government Cut and the water depths and all said it was great.  The info was to as you are approaching the red and green markers in the channel keep to the right of centre and favor the green pass the first set of markers then go down the middle.  It was an absolutely beautiful evening. 



The Cut was fine going through with 4 feet under our hull and waves were 1 to 2 feet.  Sunshine our kitten did not think it was so smooth, she was not well and had been sick and was frothing at the mouth and did not look good and it concerned me.  We tried to give her a 1/4 Gravol but there was so much stuff coming out of her mouth I am not sure if it went down. After we got through the Gulf entrence the water was like glass and she relaxed and laided with Callie under Don's chair.  It was unbelievabaly beautiful with dolphins following us out and playfully jumping in front of our boat.  It looked like it could have been taken from a movie.  My fears of doing the crossing were some what eased but we werer only at hour 1 and had 16+ more to go...  As we moved along the sun was starting to set.  The best one that Don and I have seen.  Behind us we had the sun setting and in front of us we had the full moon. 


Tom Conrad from the AGLCA and his daily blog were dead on.  Hats off to you Tom and we owe you thanks and don't stop your blog.  We all are better off with you incharge....

As the nite progressed the temperature dropped a bit so we would turn on our generator for an hour and then shut it off.  Don insisted that I take and himself a Gravol just in case.  I did not feel queasie but it is better to be save than sorry.  Later I made mac'n cheese for dinner and it was a nice comforting dinner and not too much to eat.  I was quite amazed how the nite progressed so quickly.  It seems the next thing we knew it was 12:30AM and only 10 + hours to go.  Don took the first break after dinner for about 1 hour and fell sound asleep.  I took the second break after Don for about 1 hour and did the same.  The moon was so large and so bright and there were so many stars out.  The Gulf waters were glistening and the spray from the side of the boat looked like diamonds in the water.  Around 5:30AM the moon started to set into the Gulf.  Another once in a life time wonderful sight.  I thought it would be much darker out after it set but it was nice.





It was now approaching 7:00AM and the sun was just starting to come up.  Now as we were approaching Tarpon Springs we had to contend with the crab pots and the glistening sun on the water.  Don said it was easier to cross the gulf than to go through this G-- D-- stuff.  It took us about 2 or more hours of dodging and weaving through and around these pots.  You think that they could make them fluorescent or something.  Well we made it to Tarpon Spring and pulled into Turtle Cove Marina, great choice.

To sum up our crossing of the Gulf of Mexico, some 170+ miles, on the most beautiful nite with a full moon, was a once in a life time experience, BUT only once.  I was blessed to have I think the BEST Captain at the helm.

Apalachicola ~

Well it is Friday the 23rd and time to move on again.  We were up early and ready to leave by 8:30ish.  Scott and KC had stayed on the Loopy Kiwi the nite before, so it was time to say good bye to all.  Rik and Nancy on the Nanseann were already off their dock at 8:30AM sharp and waiting for us and Loopy Kiwi.  After a group photo we were off.


It was another beautiful day for cruising.  We left and headed up St Andrew Bay to East Bay and then to the Big Cove to pick up the intracoastal in Horseshoe Bayou.  It zigzags through many swamp areas and was really quite beautiful.  Then it was time to say good bye to Nanseann.  they were turning at the Gulf Canal and heading to Port St. Joe.  I will miss Nancy and Rik and Sadie very much.  We hope that our paths cross again.

We continued on through the Cypress Swamp and crossed Lake Wimico to pick up the intracoastal again through the Apalachicola National Estuarine Research Reserve to the Apalachicola River.  From there we continued on to the Apalachicola Marina, formerly Miller Marina just before the bridge.  It was a basic marina, nothing special, but it was in the right location.  It was mid afternoon before we and Loopy Kiwi were settled in. The guys got the bikes off and they went to the hardware store and Carolyn and I went for a bike ride and browsed some of the shops.  After we got back we all went for a nice and well deserved drink or two at Carolyn's Restaurant right next to our dock.  We came back to the boat and cooked a great dinner and called it a nite.

On Saturday the 24th we got up and Don and I went for a bike ride and did some shopping for a few supplies.  We stopped at Petunia a pet store to pick up another life vest for the kitten.  She now fits into the same size vest as Callie, the little porky cat.  The town is really a quaint little town and certainly the oyster capital.  Oysters everywhere.  To bad the Don and I do not like oysters....  When we got back to the boat we put together our ditch bags for the crossing and made sure that everything was ready.  I was hungry and went and had lunch with Phil and Carolyn at Boss Oyster House.  I tried some oysters but ended up giving the rest to Phil.  The shrimp poorboy was outstanding though.  I came back to the boat worked on the blog for a bit and Don checked everything in the engine (basement) room. That nite we all went for dinner at Carolyn's Restaurant for dinner.  It was a great dinner.  Came back to the boat and watched a bit of TV and called it a nite.

The Thanksgiving Panama Connection

Well a new week and a new day, Mon. the 19th begins and we are on the move again.  We were not sure whether we wanted to leave Sandestin because it was so nice but on we go.  We only had to go about 50 miles today as we were hading to Panama City, Florida.  We left Horseshoe Bayou and headed back out into Choctawhatchee Bay.  The water was like glass again and the temperature was nice and warm.  The bay is a large at about 28 miles.  We were already half way through the bay at Sandestin.  After about 18 miles we picked up the intercoastal and had about another 18 miles of it.  It was a very narrow channel that lead to West Bay.  The whole trip through there was beautiful.  We had many dolphins and all kinds of birds follow behind our boat and at the sides on and off all day. Sunshine did not know what to make of the birds following our wake.  Once in West Bay it was a smooth ride to the channel that lead St Andrew Bay and then to Grand Lagoon turn and to Bay Point Marina.  The sun was on the horizon and made it hard for Don to see all the makers.  Once we made the turn at Red marker #2 the sun was not in our eyes and made it easy to get into the well maker marina.  Once in and tied up and settled in we went for a walk to see all of our other Looper friends that were there.  Jade II, Loopie Kiwi, Carried Away (not there), Sojourn and Nanseann.  These Looper's just keep on pop-in up.... 
We were there in time to catch the sun set which was great.  We decided to stay on board and have dinner and watch a little TV. 

The next day Nancy and Rik had a rental car and when Nancy got back we went to pick up supplies.  Phil and Carolyn came along.  Nancy had invited us to join them to go out to dinner at the Boatyard as well as Phil and Carolyn.  We had cocktail and hors d' oeuvres on their boat before heading to the restaurant.  Gerald and Fran his wife came and joined us.  It was another great meal with great friends.  The fish just seems to be getting better.  We came back to the boat and watched Dancing With the Stars which I had recorded.  One more week and it is done till the spring..

On Wed. Nancy came by and picked me up to pick up a few items she had missed.  Don wanted to leave on Thurs. but changed his mind and said we would stay and have Thanksgiving dinner here and leave Fri. morning.  Scott and KC from Jet Stream were driving to join us all tomorrow.  I spent some of the afternoon making key lime cheesecake and cranberries for Thanksgiving.  As Phil was getting BBQ out for that nite to do some serious grilling Scott and KC arrived a day early, so we did a pot luck on the food and had dinner on the Kiwi.  It was so much fun and we were glad to see Jet Stream.  After dinner Scott and KC spent the nite on our boat.  After a nite cap we all retired.


                   Well Happy Thanksgiving to you'al from Panama City

An absolutely beautiful day. After a pancake breakfast Don and Scott left to play golf at a Nicholas course. KC stayed and helped me get some thing ready for that evening and then went to see Phil and Carolyn. The day seem to go by so quick, and before you know it Don was back. Not such a great golf game but had a good day out with Scott. I had everything ready to go and it was now time to cook the 10.1 lb turkey in my little Sharpe convection oven..... I put the turkey in one of those turkey bags and put it in and closed the top and pressed start and 2 1/2 hours later it was done. I am so amazed. Learn something new each day. Nancy was so nice and made us a homemade pumpkin pie, yum yum with whipped cream. 

 Well Happy Thanksgiving to you'al from Panama city....  An absolutely beautiful day.  After a pancake breakfast Don and Scott left to play golf at a Nicholas course.  KC stayed and helped me get some thing ready for that evening and then went to see Phil and Carolyn.  The day seem to go by so quick, and before you know it Don was back.  Not such a great golf game but had a good day out with Scott.  I had everything ready to go and it was now time to cook the 10.1 lb turkey in my little Sharpe convection oven.....  I put the turkey in one of those turkey bags and put it in and closed the top and pressed start and 2 1/2 hours later it was done.  I am so amazed.  Learn something new each day.  Nancy was so nice and made us a homemade pumpkin pie, yum yum with whipped cream. 

Just as the sun was setting and before we were going to head to the Kiwi a small sailboat pulled in in front of us. There was a single man on board so I told Don to ask him to join us, and really it was Thanksgiving, so he did and he (Bob) said yes. We had an unbelievable time. Phil and Carolyn and great cooks and it was so much fun on their boat. Between drinks and hors d' oeuvres and football the guys got through the evening. I said a non religious grace which just really just blessed all of us for our good fortune, health and the paths of our journey's which have brought us all together. It was a great nite to be had by all and to all a good nite....

Sun Set in Sandestin

We got up early to Minor's (the boat beside us).  He was taking his boat out for the day to give the engines a run.  We were planning to leave after breakfast.  Larry came by to help us with the ropes and say good-bye.  It was another beautiful morning we hated to leave.  After checking everything Don found that our generator would not start, so we delayed our departure for a bit.  He eventually found that the breaker down below had tripped so after he reset it we were on our way.  The water was like glass for most of the trip.  I have finally been able to see the dolphins.  They were everywhere all day.  Don spotted them first and then they followed us along side of the boat in the wake of the boat.  At one point there were about six of them.  They would jump out of the water in front of the boat and then follow us for a mile or two...   It made my day when I actually was able to take pictures of them.....

We were not sure where we wanted to stop.  We thought we might anchor out at Crab Key (the Swimming Spot) at mile 227.5, but with us both battling a cold we decided that might not be a great idea.  Then we thought that we might stop at Destin but found that the marinas either did not answer the radio when we called or their phones and when they did they made you feel they did not want you there as a transient on their docks. It was also so early in the day so we decided to move on.  Just 11.7 miles down the GIWW was Sandestin.  Larry on Lady KK had told us about this area and said it was very nice place to stop so we decided to pull in.  It was very easy to navigate into the Baytowne Marina at the Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort.  It was very impressive coming in with the large condos and hotel all along the shore.  It was late afternoon by the time we got all settled in.  At the end of the dock was the Captain Joe Lee's Galley Eats restaurant.  It was getting close to sun set so we stopped for a drink to see it set.  We met a couple Shon and Debbie Lynn Dukes that were sitting beside us that come there often for a few days and have a condo about a mile away.  As the sun set we set we invited them back to the boat for a drink.  Shon had mentioned that there was a great restaurant in the village so off we all went.  The village was amazing with so many little shops all decked out with lites and Christmas decorations.  It reminded me of Disneyland in California.
 

We ate dinner at The Marlin Grill which was a beautifully decorated on the outside and inside.  It was one of the best dinners we had and cheese biscuits to die for.  Don had a beef filet and I had a trio of fresh fish, yum yum....  It was a nice nite outside as we walked back to the dock.  Again the best thing about our journey is the people you meet.  We know have another couple that we can cal friends.  Shon and Debbie will probably vacation in Canada and we hope to have visit us....  We feel great about this trip, this is a once in a lifetime journey and we are so glad we are doing it....

All Fired Up

Well we certainly had a great time last nite.  We were not sure if we wanted to go or to stay another day.  Linda had mentioned that they was a local farmer's market just down the street in the square.  So.....  we decided to stay.  It was another beautiful morning and not as cold as the day before.  After breakfast we walked down to the square.  You would never know that there had been a party in the streets the nite before.  It was spotless.  When we arrived at the square the whole centre of the divided street had dozens of vendors.  The first section was all the food vendors and there were lots of them.  Selling everything from fresh herbs, vegetables, flowers, all kinds of delicious fresh bakery items, homemade jams and jellies, pies and breads, and even freshly frozen meats.  The next section were all the little craft vendors.  There was something there for everyone and it was packed.  After picking up some pastries, bread and jams we headed back to the boat.  I worked on the blog for a bit and Don worked on the boat.  We met the man the the boat beside us Minor and he was kind enough to lend us his truck to go and pick up some cold medication from the pharmacy and a few things at the food store.  He did not know us from Adam and gave us his truck.  Boat people are one of a kind..... 





Before we went we stayed long enough to take another sunset picture and as we were waiting for the sun to go down I noticed a couple walking towards us wearing shorts, so I said to them "you two must be Canadians" and he said "yes, and we are from Lindsay, Ontario"  Small world they live about 30 minutes from us and when we said that we owned Viamede they said they knew who we were.  Go figure.... 

After we picked up a few thing and returned the truck we had a lite dinner at the restaurant beside the marina.  We sat outside with a heater on beside us.  It was so nice and it made us think "No Snow".  There had been activities all day at the stadium across the bay from us.  We found out later that it was the official ribbon cutting ceremony for the stadium and they had bands there all day.  Just as we came back to the boat they started to do fireworks, and not just a few.  The display went on for at least 20 minutes.   I said to Don that they did not have to do such a large display just for us because we were leaving tomorrow !!!!!

Pensacola

It is now Fri. the 16th.  Don got up early as he does every morning and went for a walk, but like the great guy he is, he put on a pot of coffee for me.  I have been getting up by 7:00ish which is early for me.  I would just like to sleep in till 8:00ish but can't.  Linda had emailed me with the great Tap restaurant she had recommended the nite before.  She was able to get us reservations but the only time in the whole nite that was open was 6:00PM.  Wow a little early for us by it's okay were are retired and time is irrelevant.  Since there was no courtesy car we took an expensive  cab to the National Naval Aviation Museum.  And it was worth every  penny.  The museum is free to the public, but you do need to take passports with you because you are going on an active naval base. The museum is massive with multiple areas to see.  We have been to see other in the past but none like this.  We could not believe how many plane and helicopters there were.  The museum is almost all volunteer's.  And the extensive restoration of the planes is unbelievable.  They took us by one outside to show us what they look like when they get them and then the restored plane.  Just amazing and the generosity of all the companies that supply products and parts to the restoration of these lanes.  There were just so many things to see and it was so well put together I rated it a 11 out of 10...  We both are feeling effects of a bad colds so we were glad to be back on the boat.  The weather had turned very cold and since we both were in shorts a nice warm boat felt good.  Back at the boat we had enough time for a glass of wine before we met Larry and Linda for dinner.  They have been here many times and recommended the Global Grill Tapas Bar and Restaurant.  It had a very trendy interior and a small jazz duo playing music and it was packed.  The menu had so many items to choose from and about 8 specials.  Between the wine and the superb food ( all very reasonable ) and our new friends it was an evening to remember. Pensacola had a downtown merchant arts and wine festival, sort of like "the first Friday's" that are in many cities.  Our waiter asked if we want to take a drink with us as we walked down the streets.  It was like walking down a street in New Orleans.  Music and wine and lots and loots of people.  As we walked down little side streets there were countless vendors selling everything, and always lots of wine at every store or booth.  We headed back the boat around 10:30ish.  It had been a great day, especially when you meet new friends...

Don & Freya ~ Linda & Larry

When we got back to the boat I took a picture of the new stadium all lit up at nite.  Quite nice and very impressive....

                      

 

 

 

Ah Florida At Last

It is Thurs. the 15th and we could here Bill's engine on Carried Away start up.  Joyce said that they were going to anchor somewhere near Pensacola.  We were not to far behind them.  Quick shower and a pot of Don's great coffee and we were off.  Another great day for cruising.  As we were getting the boat ready I noticed a boat pass us which I thought was a Looper. As we got down the system a bit more I could read their name El Sea V and they were not Looper's. 

We pasted a group of colorful condos on our starboard side. It looked like you could have transplanted them from Curacao.  They were a lot of them and they had their own little marina.

We called the El Sea V and Don talked to him and we sort of followed him to Pensacola.  He had recommenced the Palafox Pier Marina right down town.  So we called and made reservations.  As we approaching the marina we past the Pensacola Lighthouse.  It reminded me of Jupiter and the lighthouse.  We arrived at the marina and it is a great marina right down town and walking distance to a lot of shops and restaurants.  Lots and lots of birds everywhere.  Sunshine was oblivious to all the birds.  She was so comfortable and she just wanted to sleep.



 After we were all settled in we went for a walk.  It was quite cool out but we Canadians were in shorts!!!! The area is very much like New Orleans with the iron balconies and decor.  It also has a Spanish feel to it with some of the architecture.  Very nice and so clean.  We invited the couple on El Sea V, Larry and Linda, over for drinks at 5:00PM  to thank them for their recommendation on Marinas.  Just before they came we went up to Jaco's restaurant and had a quick drink to take some pics of the beautiful sunset, and it was beautiful....  Larry and Linda are a great couple that have both sold their homes and are living on their boat.  They had told us of a number of things to do in Pensacola and that it was a must to go and see the National Naval Aviation Museum as well as many other things to do.  So we decided to stay the next day and see a bit of the area.  After they left I cooked dinner, BBQ steaks,  rice and black beans and biscuit's.  And to finish off the meal a piece of my pumpkin cheesecake.  We watched a bit of TV as usual and called it a nite.