We are in FLORIDA!!!!!

November 9, 2013

We are out of here (Dog River Marina)!  This is a great marina with wonderful people but this boat is meant to cruise, not sit around at the dock!!

The wind has stay calm enough for us to bug out.  Up at 4:30AM, motors started at 5:35, away from the dock at 5:50, under the bridge and out in the channel at 6AM….Right On Time!!!

1’ to 2’ light chop in the bay, into the main ship channel by 6:30 then across the bay into the ICW at 8:50.  

Bye Bye Mobile!

Southern Belle follows us out of Dog River.

Entered protected channel at 9:15 followed by two shrimp boats.  Words cannot express how wonderful an experience it is to pilot one’s boat across the water like Mobile Bay.  Without a doubt the best bay crossing was Biscayne Bay with Missy in December of 2011 on our way to Key West.  That day was pure magic and we both remember it like it was last week.  Every time I get to go across another decent body of water I enjoy it just as much as the first. 

I told Missy today on the phone I want to cross over to the Bahamas this winter (she of course will fly over and meet me).  If anyone reading this blog wants to cross the Gulf Stream with me this February let me know.

 

Several barges….surprised how many.  

We left Alabama and entered Florida at Noon!!!  YEA!!! 

Lots of Pelicans…..took lots of pictures for Missy.  

Lots of Dolphins but could not catch them too close so limited pictures.

We arrived at Sabrine Marina at 2:30 after crossing Pensacola Bay.  Short day but did not want to press on to Ft. Walton Beach….been there, done that, and did not like it.  Besides, Pensacola Beach has a cute water tower.

 

Aye Sea No Snow at Sabine Marina

Chris and Kerm pulled in 30 minutes later as I was washing the boat (I hate the salt on the boat after the spray from Mobile Bay).  

Trick is making dinner for all of us…….Live is GOOD!

 

I hope to get to Panama City tomorrow….it will be a long run of almost 100 miles.  The biggest obstacle will be slow wake zones.  We might have to stop in Ft. Walton Beach if things do not go perfectly.  We will be up and at it early again.

 

One more day at Dog River

November 8, 2013

Beautiful sunrise this morning.  I take pictures like this to show Melissa what sunrise looks like so she can enjoy them also (LOL).

The winds are still too strong to head out although there are a few boats coming in.

I spent the morning trying to locate a leak in my water tanks that soaks the carpet in the aft cabin whenever I fill the tanks.  After three I gave up as it would take a major removal of cabinetry to get at the leak.

 

I had to spend some time on work stuff with phone calls and internet and that took up most of my day.  Trick took the courtesy car into town to get parts but had trouble with his credit card.  Seems some of the southern stores do not like our northern plastic….?

 

Beautiful sunset

The wind started to drop down middle of the afternoon so we are heading out in the morning for sure!

still at Dog River Marina

November 7^th, 2013

It started raining about 4AM and then the wind started picking up.  By 5:30 it was pretty strong….earlier than predicted.  I talked with Kerm and by 6AM we decided to stay put.  No sense in being uncomfortable with the conditions when we really are not in a hurry since the weather in the next week is not cooperating with what we need to cross the open Gulf.

 

I took advantage of the down time to wash some of the boat, do an oil change on both motors, and had the A/C unit in the V Berth charged.  The winds look strong until noon tomorrow so maybe we will head out mid-day and run over to Homeport Marina. 

 

I had a chance to watch the Vikings win a football game…..that was a treat!

Southern Belle

Mistickle

Aye Sea No Snow at Dog River Marina