Around The Bend and a Boat Parade of Lights

Carrabelle, in the Florida panhandle, is decision time for Loopers.   Here we decide whether to cross straight across the Gulf to Tarpon Springs, FL or go around the Florida Big Bend, with the weather being the determining factor.  Straight across is about 22 hours, leaving Carabelle about noon and then travel for 22 hours straight across. The alternate is to take the Big Bend for three days, nine hours a day.  We thought the weather was better for the daytime, three day Big Bend route and it proved to be a good decision for us.

Our first day we had 1- 3 foot rocking and rolling waves in the morning and then very smooth seas in the afternoon, almost glassy.  We spent the first night at anchor at Alligator Point.  Jennifer from Wild Raven took this great photo of Blue Moon.  Their canoe is lashed to our fore deck.

 The second night we went 60 miles to Sea Hag Marina in Steinhatchee, Florida.

This part of Florida is called "Old Florida", quaint and colorful fishing cottages line the street across from the harbor.

A willing worker waiting at the marina for a fish.

Worker friend watching Blue Moon and crew.

The next day we traveled again on smooth water to Cedar Key, about 60 miles.  It takes us about 8-9 hours to go 60 miles.  We anchored in a picturesque spot right off the shore of Atsena Otie Key, an uninhabited island across from the town of Cedar Key.

We all took the dinghy to shore to see the now-uninhabited island, walk the trail and visit the historic cemetery. The first residents of Cedar Key may have arrived as early as 1500.  In the 1800's this area was a shipping point for cotton, sugar, tobacco, and lumber.  An Eberhard Faber Mill, for the production of cedar pencil blanks, was built here in 1850.  The Key had a military depot and hospital built during the Seminole Indian Wars, and later used during the Civil War.

Beautiful sunset

Next morning we left before sun up and 10 1/2 hours later arrived at Dunedin, Florida at 5 p.m.

Dunedin Municipal Marina

The sign says 'crossing complete'.  We were very happy to celebrate a smooth crossing of the gulf.

Celebration dinner.

We explored the town and enjoyed the beach atmosphere.  We had lunch at this outdoor BBQ restaurant, Eli's.  Good as Texas BBQ.

We rode the Jolly Trolley all over the area.  Visited the sponge docks at Tarpon Springs, the Greek city.

Joyeux Noel and Merry Christmas

On Saturday night we watched the Dunedin Boat Parade.  We had front row seats on Sweetwater (Tim & Pam's) boat.  A great evening, complete with pecan pie.

What's so funny? Its a nutcracker!

Blue Moon will remain at the City of Dunedin Municipal Marina while we fly to Texas for the holidays.  It will be a busy month.  King is having rotator cuff surgery on the 11th, then the following weekend we plan to go to Oklahoma City, OK for our aunt's 100th birthday celebration.  Throw in all the Christmas festivities and we will have a busy month.  Back to the boat for the New Year and then on to the Florida Keys.

Now we are Gone to Texas and Oklahoma for the holidays.  Merry Christmas.

Turkey Day, Canals and the "Grand Canyon"

Pierre and Jennifer received their new (and undamaged) canoe in Mobile, AL.  

Taking the canoe out for a test drive.

All were happy and enjoyed a great Thanksgiving at Turner Marine in Mobile, AL.  The Turners cooked the turkey and made dressing.  Mrs. Turner did not like giblet gravy, so she gave me the giblets and I made mashed potatoes and giblet gravy.  It was good weather and a great day.

Loopers waiting for lunch.

 The Turners' thanking everyone for coming to the annual Thanksgiving Dinner.

We left Turner Marine on Wednesday and rocked and rolled across Mobile Bay.   Mobile is one of the largest seaports on the Gulf with many ships of every type and size.

After leaving Mobile Bay, we entered a long protected waterway of canals, broken up by wide sounds and lakes.  We anchored out for three pretty cold nights staying at anchorages English Navy Cove, Choctawhatchee Bay Bridge and Murray Bayou.  Fortunately the boat warmed up during the day.

My Destinee's, loopers that we met at Mobile, anchored with us at Choctawhatchee Bridge

We passed Lulu's (sister to Jimmy Buffet) on Thanksgiving Day.  Since they were closed for the holiday, we did not get to stop.

We're in Florida - finally.

Dolphins like the sound of a boat and swim along with us.  

Calm waters on our way to an anchorage.

What's for dinner?

 King's turn to cook.

Ice cream for dessert!  A very rare occurence on a boat, since it is difficult to keep it frozen. 

We entered a picturesque area called the 'Grand Canyon'.  

 Smooth water on Lake Wimico

On to Apalachicola

 Moving a boat house down the river.

The coastline keeps changing.  We think this area was damaged by a hurricane.

When loopers cross over to Florida there are two options, a direct 20+ hour crossing or an around the Florida Big Bend which takes three days.  We must decide which route to take.

Tourists in Mobile

We arrived at Turner Marine (Mobile, AL) on the Gulf, Saturday, November 15th and are enjoying seeing the local area.  Turner Marine is a great place to stay with reasonable rates and good services.

The marina is on the Dog River; the bridge that crosses over Dog River to Dauphin Island.

Grant and Cindy from As the Crow Flies, John and Karen from Last Mango, Pierre and Jennifer from Wild Raven and King and I enjoyed being tourists.  We spent a cold morning visiting the Battleship USS Alabama Memorial Park.  The USS Alabama measures 680 feet, steel side armor a foot thick, and armed with nine, 16-inch guns and 20, 5-inch guns, and could fire shells as heavy as a small car accurately for a distance of more than 20 miles.  The USS Alabama saw 37 months of active duty during WWII.  

The USS Drum is a WWII submarine, also at the Memorial Park.  The Drum is credited with sinking 15 ships and the Drum was donated to the Memorial Park in 1969.  The Drum is the oldest American sub on display in the world.  

There were also ships and planes displaying conflicts since WWII.  A Christmas Sock Tree made by U.S. POW's held by the Viet Cong. 

After the tour we visited the historic, narrow winding streets of downtown Mobile, which reminded us of New Orleans.  We had a southern lunch of chicken and dumplings, collards and black eyed peas. 

We visited the Peanut Shop where peanuts were being roasted.  Wish we could share the smell. Yum! 

On Wednesday night, we had Mexican food in the town of Bayou de Batre complete with local karaoke.

Enjoying a dance at the restaurant.

Friday we drove about an hour east to Pensacola, to the National Naval Aviation Museum - the largest naval aviation museum in the world.  We saw over 150 completely restored aircraft representing Navy, Coast Guard and Marine Corp aviation.  

Cubi Club

The cafe's decor duplicates the bar area of the Cubi Point Officers' Club which was a major source of enjoyment for Navy and Marine Corps squadrons as they passed into the Western Pacific during WWII until 1992.  When the original officers' club was closed in 1992 the thousands of plaques that were on the walls of the club were shipped to the museum.  The food here was great, too.

One of my favorite exhibits is a recreation of the home front during WWII.  The town begins with the entrance to Pensacola's Isis Theater and leads to a settled street where a soldier is home on leave. The street recreates a wartime household and general store, restaurant and hotel.

We saw biplanes of WWI, Blue Angels and over 150 restored planes.  This is a wonderful museum with much to see and learn.  

On our way back to the boat we stopped at the seacoast town of Fairhope, AL.  The town was beautifully lit with white Christmas lights and carolers singing.

We stopped at a local restaurant, where Pierre & Jennifer had great hamburgers, King had steamed shrimp and oysters plus some wings and I had shrimp. The food was great.  We noticed a setup in the band area and were not disappointed.  A fun Friday evening.

Pierre enjoying his hamburger. 

We have had very cold weather while here and are glad that we are at a marina with access to electricity and our boat heater (like central heat in a house). We will stay here and have a Thanksgiving Potluck on Wednesday and then if the weather is favorable we plan to move the boat to Pensacola on Thursday.