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.