Thanksgiving to 11/29/2023

 

 

11/23/2023 

Up early again. We anchored out last nite last time we would raft up to Sol Maria.

Lica sang us a song  in her native New Zealand language as a Thanksgiving gift to us. “Pokarekare Ana” may be New Zealand’s best-known song, and it’s certainly one of the nation’s most beloved. She has a beautiful voice. We were not aware that her family used to sing around the world when she was younger !!

 

While cruising to Mobile saw a deer swimming across the river (what a long swim from shore to shore !!)

 

Lica was able to capture some Eagles along the way

 

 

It was an uneventful travel into the City of Mobile

 

We traveled by the industrial area of the River and viewed the working boats. Most were empty due to Thanksgiving Day !!

We arrived at Sundowner Marina (the only marina that could accommodate our group) which looked like the graveyard for abandoned sailboats. 

Called several places no restaurant available for 12 of us, so we had Thanksgiving on Sol Maria's boat. It was great we did a buffet style meal. Ewin made a cake and his sister made pumpkin bread. The owner of the marina brought over his leftover turkey. We all made some sides. The following day the family from FIKA left and drove to Holland, Michigan. Sandra and Peter were also leaving to go home to Wales.  Peter, Gavin, Sandra and I stayed up playing Phase 10 !!  

11/24/2023

Dave went to the airport with Sandra and Peter and rented a car. We were able to go into downtown Mobile. Walked around the main area and then back to the boat. I made chicken dinner and rice for the remaining 6 of us.

 

11/25/2023

We said our goodbyes until we meet again further down the loop. 

We headed for a short journey to LULU's for a late lunch and early dinner (Lunner) LuLu’s in Gulf Shores, Alabama, is not just a restaurant, it’s an experience. Founded by Jimmy Buffett’s “crazy sister,” Lucy Buffett. This is also a great place to celebrate your arrival at the Gulf. We are now officially in the Intercoastal Waterway of the Gulf (ICW).

 

That night we anchored out at Ingram Bayou Anchorage. Matt and Dave strategized over our next few days of travel.

11/26/2023

Started todays trip under a stormy day. Rained most of the trip until we arrived in Pensacola at Seville Harbor Marina (we arrived at 11:30 AM the guy told us since we got there late it would be free dockage !!)

The beautiful white sands of Pensicola

The rain had finally stopped so Nancy and I headed to check out the town.

 

The town honors all branches of the armed forces

 

The Garden Pensacolas only covered outdoor food hall with 4 food airstreams !!

We went to an Irish restaurant for dinner. McGuires Irish Pub where you Kiss the Moose for luck. Also, the waitress told us there is well over 1.8 million dollar bills stapled to the ceiling and walls.

The Fish House was next to our dock but heard that McGuires was must see. Well worth the visit.

11/27/2023

Headed to Two Georges Marina in the Panhandle at Shalimar Yacht Basin. Got there late - not much to see in the area but the sunset was beautiful.

Don't usually see small boats abandoned - they are mainly larger boats or sailboats

A 300-foot-high structure that looks something like a three-legged version of France's Eiffel Tower has been built on the beach at this Florida Panhandle base to help test high-tech weapons.The tower's mission is to test devices that use radar, thermal energy, and other technology to help guide weapons to their targets.

11/28/2023

Crossed Choctawhatchee Bay to some choppy waters. We then crossed into a sixteen mile manmade canal which would lead us to our next destination Panama City. We had planned on spending two days here but weather suggested we leave if we wanted to make the rim route crossing under decent conditions.

Waters were not to choppy but it was nice to get back into the smooth river system.

Below is a small tug pulling two abandoned boats to clean up the river system. Following storms  the boats are usually damaged beyond repair or lost at sea. The owners just leave them, which then becomes the job of Florida to hire boaters to gather them up.  

Someone started a jungle of stuffed animals.

Another abandoned boat but this one looked in decent condition

11/29/2023

We headed to the Moorings at Carabella. Left at 6am for our approximately 70 mile day. As we traveled Dave received a call from the Coast Guard asking for photos of logs in the Lake Wimico. A previous boater (who had passed us first reported it and they wanted to know the size)

One was pine tree and the other was a log.

We continue to see the shipwrecked boats.

 

We also passed the town of Apalachicola. The old Marina and restaurant looked like they never repaired it after previous storms.

Most of the railway bridges usually remain open for boats and close for trains

We arrived at Carrabella only to run aground. Matt was able to get in the water and walk us off the ledge. When he put the boat in reverse it made a rumbling banging sound and then did it in forward. Matt realized a line had gotten wrapped around the prop and cut it. We made it to our slip and he went in the water to check the prop and drive shaft. 

Fortunately the line that caught onto the prop wound itself off !! There was a sign there letting you know your distances to follow except Disney was just $$$.

The sunset at the bay was one to capture !!