tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-421832883517484452024-03-20T01:14:59.924-05:00Blue Heron AdventureThe adventures of Gale and Maureen aboard Blue Heron, a 34-foot catamaran, Gemini 105MC, Hull No. 1034. The chronicle begins in June 2008 with the purchase of Blue Heron.Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.comBlogger614125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-33042385010598111782015-07-05T12:48:00.001-05:002015-07-05T12:48:51.346-05:00Closing the Blue Heron Chapter on July 2, 2015Hello to All ---- especially to those of you who followed Blue Heron and our life aboard when we began our adventure in June of 2008.<br />
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It was a difficult decision to make, but we put Blue Heron up for sale in the latter part of May. After a few short weeks, a couple of showings and a couple of offers, the sale is final!<br />
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And, of course, when one chapter is closed another one begins --- Over the past weekend we joined Freedom Boat Club and couldn't be more excited!!! Belonging to a boat club means we have access to all kinds of boats including pontoons, deck boats, flats fishing boats, offshore fishing boats, etc. We live within walking or bicycling distance from the Fort Myers Beach location so it is very quick and easy access for us. No maintenance, no repairs, no insurance, no slip fees -- it couldn't be any easier! So far our experience with the Boat Club has been terrific and we are looking forward to many more carefree days out on the water.<br />
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Here's to Blue Heron and to her new journey.<br />
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Fair Winds and Following Seas,<br />
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Captains Gale and Maureen<br />
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"Here's to tall ships, Here's to small ships, Here's to all the ships at sea. But the best ships are friendships, Here's to you and me."
Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-43034201027696293102011-11-02T09:40:00.000-05:002011-11-02T09:40:28.486-05:00Thurs, Oct 27 thru Sun, Oct 30, 2011 – Vinoy Basin, St. Petersburg, GIWW mile 106By 10:30 am both <b><i>Blue Heron </i></b>and <b><i>Zephyr</i></b> were on their way. The sky was mostly sunny, the temperature was 75 degrees and the wind was calm. Shortly after 1 pm, we pulled up to the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina fuel dock and filled the fuel and water tanks, left off the trash and got the lay of the land. From there, we headed over to the Vinoy Basin, just on the other side of the Pier and anchored. <br />
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Gale and Maureen splashed the dinghy and did a little reconnaissance work. We checked out the docks at the Pier, picked up the Trolley schedule and determined where a coin op laundry was located. We also got the schedule for the Salvador Dali Museum and picked up some $2 discount coupons to be used against the museum entrance fee. <br />
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It rained some overnight and into the morning hours on Friday. The skies were very gray and the temperature was cooler but we went ahead with our plan to pick up Roger and Dita in our big boat and motor over to the courtesy dock at the city marina. It seemed like a good day to do laundry in the morning and to visit the museum in the afternoon.<br />
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The Trolley stop was about a block from the dock, so we hauled our laundry bags up the street and hopped on the bus. Roger and Gale helped Dita and Maureen to get started at the laundry mat and then the men went out to look for a hardware store and/or a discount store. Roger even found time to get his hair cut. The ladies had their chore done by noon when we all took the bus back to the boat and dropped off the laundry. After a nice lunch at a Mexican restaurant, we hopped on another bus to take us to the museum.<br />
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We arrived at the Salvador Dali Museum in time to join the 2:30 pm guided tour. It was very interesting to see the progression of Dali’s style over the years and to marvel at how his mind worked. The art was stunning in many ways; it was sometimes puzzling, sometimes grotesque, sometimes simple, but always beautiful and thought provoking. <br />
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By the time we had finished at the museum, we were all ready to get back to our homes and relax for the night. We delivered Roger and Dita to <b><i>Zephyr</i></b> and then reanchored near the Vinoy Hotel. We had just experienced one of the very few days the area has without the sun peeking out at least for a short time. St. Petersburg boasts that it averages 361 days of sunshine each year. <br />
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The wind began to pick up overnight but we were still able to sleep. In the Vinoy Basin, if there is any sort of eastern component to the wind direction, it gets very rough. We were content to stay on the boat all day Saturday and simply watched the world go by.<br />
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Saturday night was not fun at all. We had east northeast winds that rocked and rolled the boat all night long. Earlier in the evening around sunset, we noticed a new sailboat coming into the anchorage. We were glad he anchored downwind of us since we are always concerned about other sailors’ anchoring skills in a blow. Sure enough, when Gale got up after midnight to check on things, he noticed the sailboat had slipped and they were attempting to re-anchor. About 2 am, he must have slipped again because we saw him actually leaving the anchorage. We hoped he had local knowledge since it is pretty risky trying to get around in bad weather in the middle of the night. At 5:30 am, Maureen heard some shouting outside and then a call to the Coast Guard was made on the marine radio. Apparently, someone had fallen into the water off the seawall at the Vinoy Park and was shouting for help. In a few minutes, the man was rescued and the paramedics were on scene. It was quite a night, indeed!<br />
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By morning, we decided we were going to find a quieter place to anchor – especially since the wind was forecasted to continue to be from the northeast and at 15 to 20 knots. We spent Sunday morning enjoying the sunshine and all the activity going on around us. The Susan G Kromen Benefit for breast cancer awareness was going on and it was a very big deal. It looked like everyone in the area had shown up for the festivities. After lunch, we brought up our anchor and motored over to the courtesy dock to see what was going on. Imagine thousands of folks dressed in pink and celebrating life. The big event was a 60-mile walk which took place over three days. Many had participated and many completed the entire walk. Wow!<br />
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At 4:30 pm, we decided we had better move on and find our spot for the night. We headed to Coffeepot Bayou, a small protected cove just about a half mile on the other side of the Vinoy. It was mid-tide, and we proceeded very slowly through the marked channel. At one point, we had only 3 feet of water under the keel. Our reward was great, however, and we rested very peacefully that night surrounded by beautiful waterfront homes and an island in the center of the cove that was home to hundreds of pelicans, seagulls, cormorants and ibises. (It was important to be upwind from the island, though!)<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuHcdYsj76OeEc9Vsbw5MOtfuQn_TAPhykfyFMFokEnz1K-opw99DWihA3eSxvVtSJapT-oF0ZK1Q28247HYSEG7pplqjKXiR2dyCCs1J45bc2Ijt9onDsc92msZ2BFb2LnDCxo6GC2Y/s1600/P1190590.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJuHcdYsj76OeEc9Vsbw5MOtfuQn_TAPhykfyFMFokEnz1K-opw99DWihA3eSxvVtSJapT-oF0ZK1Q28247HYSEG7pplqjKXiR2dyCCs1J45bc2Ijt9onDsc92msZ2BFb2LnDCxo6GC2Y/s320/P1190590.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-70357735760148201722011-10-31T09:52:00.001-05:002011-10-31T09:57:43.143-05:00Wednesday, October 26, 2011 – Boca Ciega Bay / St. Pete Beach, GIWW mile 115.4At 11 am <b><i>Blue Heron </i></b>and <b><i>Zephyr</i></b> left the anchorage in Clearwater and headed for St. Pete Beach. The trip was less than 25 miles and just before 3:30 in the afternoon we had found a protected anchorage in Boca Ciega Bay. As we were getting settled, we received an email from a lady living in the waterfront townhomes we had anchored in front of welcoming us to the neighborhood and letting us know that if we needed anything, she and her husband would love to help out. They are wannabe “Loopers” and after seeing our AGLCA (America’s Great Loop Cruising Assoc) flag were able to find our email on the Great Loop members’ site. Gale gave her a call and she told us a little about the area and about their cruising dreams. <br />
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Roger and Dita stayed aboard their vessel while Gale and Maureen splashed the dinghy and went to shore. The local excursion boat operators were very accommodating and encouraged us to tie up to their dock while we checked things out. We took a walk on beautiful St Pete Beach and stopped at the Publix grocery store to pick up a few items before returning to <b><i>Blue Heron</i> </b>for a nice evening.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0qqWCnegLFyn_mpKA8JhGXwrk30HR3e9HS29bZeTbB1GJwunrjXTjmiKOVVvKthSgfr4H_wH9cLOPtGsWcSO4KKuSvTKJendz_NnoU7_jftmJJNhZMKHV6ePpQ3rVvV5_YGT4mW5Q-w/s1600/P1190567.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEis0qqWCnegLFyn_mpKA8JhGXwrk30HR3e9HS29bZeTbB1GJwunrjXTjmiKOVVvKthSgfr4H_wH9cLOPtGsWcSO4KKuSvTKJendz_NnoU7_jftmJJNhZMKHV6ePpQ3rVvV5_YGT4mW5Q-w/s320/P1190567.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-3228576071046294952011-10-30T18:09:00.000-05:002011-10-30T18:09:08.773-05:00Tuesday, October 25, 2011 – Clearwater, Mandaley Channel, GIWW mile 137.5<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LFYwlQA-TYdzFssze8Z_5dOqOlIt_SQaJlWSppNz42NIPC18Bo5umb8qmTVIs1tgeqDp06TpC18rTFdoXbFZItiwGT20lJt2D0krrMtVbNUkZy8Xs27TSCZsur-fc5qiwmZnrFx9eHQ/s1600/P1190539.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7LFYwlQA-TYdzFssze8Z_5dOqOlIt_SQaJlWSppNz42NIPC18Bo5umb8qmTVIs1tgeqDp06TpC18rTFdoXbFZItiwGT20lJt2D0krrMtVbNUkZy8Xs27TSCZsur-fc5qiwmZnrFx9eHQ/s320/P1190539.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> We were up about 6:30 am and noticed that <b><i>Zephyr</i></b> was high and dry. Checking the tide tables, we saw that the morning low tide was about a foot lower than normal. At least, it didn’t look like the boat was listing to one side or the other – in fact, they didn’t even know they were aground. <b><i>Zephyr</i></b> drafts about 5 feet compared to <b><i>Blue Heron’s </i></b>2-foot draft so we were floating quite nicely. <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucJKj1yG02UhmaA3VK1qyyrYKDvYdeweTGmp_hdEKqHFGpCXh91WD_lTsno2MTEO5-1uRC75m0TND9ezqkR6Th5LOeTped_EkpPubnsMiyFAPR2VmyfgC8bYHpzBu_VoawepeTc-kXpU/s1600/P1190540.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiucJKj1yG02UhmaA3VK1qyyrYKDvYdeweTGmp_hdEKqHFGpCXh91WD_lTsno2MTEO5-1uRC75m0TND9ezqkR6Th5LOeTped_EkpPubnsMiyFAPR2VmyfgC8bYHpzBu_VoawepeTc-kXpU/s320/P1190540.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> We had agreed to leave at 10 am and head for Clearwater. Maureen had a bit of difficulty getting the anchor up and discovered that we were hooked on an old crab trap. No wonder our holding was so good. Gale came up to the bow and helped to free the anchor from the trap. Unfortunately, we dropped it right back in the water so another unsuspecting cruiser will probably hook it again someday. <b><i>Zephyr</i></b> encountered similar problems only they were snagged on the line of a crab trap rather than the wire cage which was a little easier to disengage. <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEgTCd0HwTc4imm-D4ElFPBvJ3AG3aYDHg0-E6E19wDXCI9g78uFr_w5BGmrvHVes5QDQ-4Qafsse8zhqhvqE29URb7bk2i4k2DvWWPvUP5QUcI3xqGHbn6mYLA4-RKehU8D12UeiZ98/s1600/P1190544.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVEgTCd0HwTc4imm-D4ElFPBvJ3AG3aYDHg0-E6E19wDXCI9g78uFr_w5BGmrvHVes5QDQ-4Qafsse8zhqhvqE29URb7bk2i4k2DvWWPvUP5QUcI3xqGHbn6mYLA4-RKehU8D12UeiZ98/s320/P1190544.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
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We were soon on our way enjoying a beautiful 70 degree, calm and sunny morning. Once we were out of the river and out into the main channel, we experienced NNE winds from 3 to 15 knots. We put up the headsail and took advantage of the breezes.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUh8kxNhMRy6T4h_kATewpkWLkyRHrDhswTDxVnppJQ1M736lH8p5-GRNiAKg-lbHbTyQMxvd_rvJKjjxgXeuLQcZfTL2UpxXoaWhWGQvFkR3vBgGI0k9GSAhyphenhyphenA-sIxKfc3SZ2BD4DOM/s1600/P1190555.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEimUh8kxNhMRy6T4h_kATewpkWLkyRHrDhswTDxVnppJQ1M736lH8p5-GRNiAKg-lbHbTyQMxvd_rvJKjjxgXeuLQcZfTL2UpxXoaWhWGQvFkR3vBgGI0k9GSAhyphenhyphenA-sIxKfc3SZ2BD4DOM/s160/P1190555.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> At 2 pm, we tied up to the dock at Frenchy’s Saltwater Café near Clearwater Beach. We had been here once before when we made our first crossing from Carabelle in 2009. At that time, we tried the grouper reuben at Frenchy’s, a sandwich we still talk about. This time, however, we had already had lunch so we ordered drinks and then went for a walk on the beach.<br />
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As evening approached, it was time to leave the dock and anchor. We rested for the night in a very peaceful and quiet place.Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-11662622688995792052011-10-30T09:41:00.000-05:002011-10-30T09:41:18.141-05:00Sun, Oct 23 thru Mon, Oct 24 – Tarpon Springs, GIWW mile 150.7<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDzpG2JOBnZejSmTMXfazlwm4eFO7VOCIO9K88BxF81h2XIDsHLqvuPYe88fN0I5b9ucqY4X3ffZFT9F9PHDlhFYuJHVWloQFhd79nX4v9AySITI8bNNUIMcBiw-KsW_4X7EHHNiyyEo/s1600/P1190488.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvDzpG2JOBnZejSmTMXfazlwm4eFO7VOCIO9K88BxF81h2XIDsHLqvuPYe88fN0I5b9ucqY4X3ffZFT9F9PHDlhFYuJHVWloQFhd79nX4v9AySITI8bNNUIMcBiw-KsW_4X7EHHNiyyEo/s160/P1190488.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfUtTbgJ1IX-oU8esg83hz2vpsGTUOL8D5QcFJM1d9RTIFGaZmLQXHabIcu-iLywYwgLp5Py3AFn9uXAuLFfv-9M95LOhQ16E-v40DJTKzRWbAAi2ZNmt7N7Mv9cX3UzzjbQj0QR3IBs/s1600/P1190489.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgqfUtTbgJ1IX-oU8esg83hz2vpsGTUOL8D5QcFJM1d9RTIFGaZmLQXHabIcu-iLywYwgLp5Py3AFn9uXAuLFfv-9M95LOhQ16E-v40DJTKzRWbAAi2ZNmt7N7Mv9cX3UzzjbQj0QR3IBs/s160/P1190489.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0ad0Do8ttudwjsJfmFhF5r4IR7dpzwSp6Uc3tsJpzJXff7kICagxPZWYWzc60GS3_P2xti7IIVKRrEfBVbNq3DDfUPu6VVHwtf5DKaHXLN4S-2EEdoLdaIe5Tse8nKdhyphenhyphen3iVD3pcqPY/s1600/P1190492.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje0ad0Do8ttudwjsJfmFhF5r4IR7dpzwSp6Uc3tsJpzJXff7kICagxPZWYWzc60GS3_P2xti7IIVKRrEfBVbNq3DDfUPu6VVHwtf5DKaHXLN4S-2EEdoLdaIe5Tse8nKdhyphenhyphen3iVD3pcqPY/s160/P1190492.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> In the heading for this entry, the mile mark is shown on the GIWW which stands for the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The waterway runs from Brownsville, TX to Flamingo, FL with an open water gap between Carabelle (near Apalachicola) on the Florida panhandle and Tarpon Springs. <br />
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Sunday morning, we spent some time with a few chores aboard the boat. Gale decided to bait up a line and his first cast brought in a beautiful flounder. He caught a few small ladyfish for fun and then put the pole away. <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BsIw9UoQfKFb17eW3RX1OskxKs0Od-nX5qiQ5XP88K3yvINgiw1vKhoqM052W4HDJSdWMo9YmadJjIitQt_QGL78qnUeGeoAUmqGGKjVOjDMVv8GsbMkqVAKIvbQWFeBajUVj1D_Xjc/s1600/P1190493.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj0BsIw9UoQfKFb17eW3RX1OskxKs0Od-nX5qiQ5XP88K3yvINgiw1vKhoqM052W4HDJSdWMo9YmadJjIitQt_QGL78qnUeGeoAUmqGGKjVOjDMVv8GsbMkqVAKIvbQWFeBajUVj1D_Xjc/s160/P1190493.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigM_mT_jJaJ7WDN13GWSArhHf2IFHa7xBLBWON_y9c6zD162NQ-9Jl0kcl1w4TLG6tHHe2pNOhI1Xqxa48RZhqwUWDaX25t7vJHEwVvWZBe2U0bB0PqFBgROUEAdy8Mw7dJqmKveYZn8k/s1600/P1190500.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigM_mT_jJaJ7WDN13GWSArhHf2IFHa7xBLBWON_y9c6zD162NQ-9Jl0kcl1w4TLG6tHHe2pNOhI1Xqxa48RZhqwUWDaX25t7vJHEwVvWZBe2U0bB0PqFBgROUEAdy8Mw7dJqmKveYZn8k/s160/P1190500.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XGjE0jUyCcAlZPEfInsQEs9XmXxLVlYzvNkkU0Pq2re7MiAJL23YWfBcdNu7mK5uouYkOYQAaj_eK_TMP081aXyHxzTPjiT9C4Opn9Lrjd4DMj_cNNTl3df15F1n2JssEZiN2qWgmuE/s1600/P1190514.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9XGjE0jUyCcAlZPEfInsQEs9XmXxLVlYzvNkkU0Pq2re7MiAJL23YWfBcdNu7mK5uouYkOYQAaj_eK_TMP081aXyHxzTPjiT9C4Opn9Lrjd4DMj_cNNTl3df15F1n2JssEZiN2qWgmuE/s160/P1190514.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
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After lunch on Sunday, we picked up Roger and Dita in our dinghy and motored over to Spring Bayou to explore old Tarpon Springs. We were especially interested in touring St. Nicholas Greek Orthodox Cathedral. As luck would have it, a baptism was about to begin and the priest invited us to stay for the ceremony. A 25-year old man was being baptized that day and his sponsor was his fiancée. The ceremony was very moving and the priest did a nice job of explaining the traditions.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTx37zMIHlWflkSbZHdexJZF-narSilf81i-o1cDDhteqP70QkwqLatDfyGL1eY5FUpP9leJLW0sqgwGWlJkWxoAc5RTriOvETY78OCzDTQFkZdZurTn4rjKS4-GRXPqb0y-HEwOegclc/s1600/P1190502.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTx37zMIHlWflkSbZHdexJZF-narSilf81i-o1cDDhteqP70QkwqLatDfyGL1eY5FUpP9leJLW0sqgwGWlJkWxoAc5RTriOvETY78OCzDTQFkZdZurTn4rjKS4-GRXPqb0y-HEwOegclc/s160/P1190502.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAojeiAY6RgQsvOCNBRseYrSYT2akYAvFSMFRHZdZZwznk0rlODVZAlg4kzMTM3cN3WzSyoVF53nSPNt1yMIl79rdWtg_VECGC3v9y3cHJHNud-2lz-EMG2FGyc8W69ZQCuQAY3nd93aY/s1600/P1190504.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAojeiAY6RgQsvOCNBRseYrSYT2akYAvFSMFRHZdZZwznk0rlODVZAlg4kzMTM3cN3WzSyoVF53nSPNt1yMIl79rdWtg_VECGC3v9y3cHJHNud-2lz-EMG2FGyc8W69ZQCuQAY3nd93aY/s160/P1190504.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7x4MFD_pY8eLqGF1MurVthwq7MipcU4zwENwLZ9w4bTDeUoNdLHOlp0j7F1yO1uiseAKd_E0wxn0s38d2u-HQZouCYe3stWy4m-nLveGle-UaQwOdsp4if6j2e7gpv6Oa5EiNaeqjpk8/s1600/P1190506.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7x4MFD_pY8eLqGF1MurVthwq7MipcU4zwENwLZ9w4bTDeUoNdLHOlp0j7F1yO1uiseAKd_E0wxn0s38d2u-HQZouCYe3stWy4m-nLveGle-UaQwOdsp4if6j2e7gpv6Oa5EiNaeqjpk8/s160/P1190506.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVREdfi7nhr210DaGrDgnGXZwQX1yY7f9c8iNIzbAffQJ5gODhV2x-Tibpm_cMwGGd6mPOESh2s1NxX0j1RrjPzJgqQHYbLOAAw-ehyphenhyphenJ1M3QUnsRdmDsImoOuI-4Pnt9zVOUQB_2hXihY/s1600/P1190509.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVREdfi7nhr210DaGrDgnGXZwQX1yY7f9c8iNIzbAffQJ5gODhV2x-Tibpm_cMwGGd6mPOESh2s1NxX0j1RrjPzJgqQHYbLOAAw-ehyphenhyphenJ1M3QUnsRdmDsImoOuI-4Pnt9zVOUQB_2hXihY/s160/P1190509.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> After our time at the Cathedral, we walked around town a bit and visited the Chamber of Commerce office. We pulled into an area back in a canal that had been the site of a new condo development but was abandoned when the economy fell. We were able to get on shore by climbing aboard a small barge and putting a plank up to the dock. Not the safest and we were, technically, trespassing, but sometimes you need to be a little creative get your shopping done. We left Dita with the dinghy and Roger, Gale and Maureen walked across the street to Winn Dixie to pick up a few needed groceries.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzGSC4HUovRJgVfrAlmHke9ouxjuFwCSpXYzQs7OsWhO8mG_RXK9XwfZm9JG0xB13vVheXyGfDuvYz-CNakPYvG2DThPrLu5hHatdzY5zf1BqCuP0q4fODwxrXBtoVrJfMGGMZYdqQVE/s1600/P1190511.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijzGSC4HUovRJgVfrAlmHke9ouxjuFwCSpXYzQs7OsWhO8mG_RXK9XwfZm9JG0xB13vVheXyGfDuvYz-CNakPYvG2DThPrLu5hHatdzY5zf1BqCuP0q4fODwxrXBtoVrJfMGGMZYdqQVE/s320/P1190511.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
Sunday evening we shared a very tasty crab-stuffed flounder with Roger and Dita aboard <b><i>Blue Heron</i></b>. It was late by the time dinner was prepared and enjoyed but we declared the day to have been one of the best.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjj7enuf4rwBSL_-aNEK6mnpoPWoqzEY-7zpTCxbAXujUCeU9yifNdSmFGhlHZmHGyM4qCJK_-0LrysXNQ-wtrVthyphenhyphenFiktI785e4L87zPC4pVMtOyjBjavJ8RlHhcFbErPEPp2KK2V5c/s1600/P1190518.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjj7enuf4rwBSL_-aNEK6mnpoPWoqzEY-7zpTCxbAXujUCeU9yifNdSmFGhlHZmHGyM4qCJK_-0LrysXNQ-wtrVthyphenhyphenFiktI785e4L87zPC4pVMtOyjBjavJ8RlHhcFbErPEPp2KK2V5c/s320/P1190518.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
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Monday was a day for relaxation. In the afternoon, Gale and Maureen decided to take a dinghy ride and went into the City Dock to pick up a few more sponges. We stepped into a few of the shops and then found ourselves at Mama’s Greek Cuisine restaurant where we shared an entrée of wonderful Greek chicken on pasta. Opa!!<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCz19c2Ntw6oIvppDYtOyVRlq2Vr02JcT9mF-VeFxSC2g8fQkFqrmaaI6MTrKUerL_zQTINGqh3pz1Eh666zioQ5R9Gm07r0kLa6GkqnRSoxlidEumtLl1DEzyj8D5QHqPN3OymnBklY/s1600/P1190526.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXCz19c2Ntw6oIvppDYtOyVRlq2Vr02JcT9mF-VeFxSC2g8fQkFqrmaaI6MTrKUerL_zQTINGqh3pz1Eh666zioQ5R9Gm07r0kLa6GkqnRSoxlidEumtLl1DEzyj8D5QHqPN3OymnBklY/s320/P1190526.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-18963629801347494162011-10-30T09:22:00.000-05:002011-10-30T09:22:04.549-05:00Fri, Oct 21 to Sat, Oct 22, 2011 – Crossing the Gulf – Apalachicola to Tarpon Springs<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPCphUf20OgnZqmnEtL0oJG5rXyTP-Wivub-UjyGBv3FmXhCKkKLLBcUanjkUJlUFbVOjyogZZq5cA9alSMjxMhFUBraBTPs1BWdauUxytH74-IYWgmaUHLrA0cw4QNIol6VSX4g9zos/s1600/P1190387.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOPCphUf20OgnZqmnEtL0oJG5rXyTP-Wivub-UjyGBv3FmXhCKkKLLBcUanjkUJlUFbVOjyogZZq5cA9alSMjxMhFUBraBTPs1BWdauUxytH74-IYWgmaUHLrA0cw4QNIol6VSX4g9zos/s160/P1190387.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEino3hQ87-Oj7_zro_moFzDd9ZZwwJsPvLL0-wHKp7AV53K3W-W8_hqPWR97g4K-o1fmeg-GoIOXQFcNqELJ5I5z4KebffAJyn4vfQ8bMtsHeh0fSoWv_zeUcY5Mhn89lCV5E4HvHfarV0/s1600/P1190392.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEino3hQ87-Oj7_zro_moFzDd9ZZwwJsPvLL0-wHKp7AV53K3W-W8_hqPWR97g4K-o1fmeg-GoIOXQFcNqELJ5I5z4KebffAJyn4vfQ8bMtsHeh0fSoWv_zeUcY5Mhn89lCV5E4HvHfarV0/s160/P1190392.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gWS_YFbaUNHEUB050hGRt7ZEbTsr3ba2skaPSNqr38sjISc-EjuGypcl4DatzjzWRMgHWiXZBMGHnYn5Cdn4nUtkM2HvYSiTWGr5wd08NJzzmh9USO85j3LA-4XH5jk8zrY3tXtGEjA/s1600/P1190396.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8gWS_YFbaUNHEUB050hGRt7ZEbTsr3ba2skaPSNqr38sjISc-EjuGypcl4DatzjzWRMgHWiXZBMGHnYn5Cdn4nUtkM2HvYSiTWGr5wd08NJzzmh9USO85j3LA-4XH5jk8zrY3tXtGEjA/s160/P1190396.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSE18dVfXhozcK5cu2PYPT3v2u1fJ-hu8HF029tbF52jXYbjD-Cv7vq3U5XuZqtkk-FooeS9j4xPFJNW5ngKoQDl45gwL-rsh1sc_tTkMQndq2X3K1xeh3QL09aHfaqrjuKUyLn35wz8/s1600/P1190400.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSE18dVfXhozcK5cu2PYPT3v2u1fJ-hu8HF029tbF52jXYbjD-Cv7vq3U5XuZqtkk-FooeS9j4xPFJNW5ngKoQDl45gwL-rsh1sc_tTkMQndq2X3K1xeh3QL09aHfaqrjuKUyLn35wz8/s160/P1190400.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wyervRuKagguGesVrmDKqdB9PuArJqCYje8SBOI3DBz5DM_ULNnjLEZuoie3pI5m2SY0sieSEb1wEFVkMSdsftQvc1jGILZ3HtoB_S1RepXBEqdtNg9ALYNaR4ExYAhnS6dKylLmmX4/s1600/P1190402.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6wyervRuKagguGesVrmDKqdB9PuArJqCYje8SBOI3DBz5DM_ULNnjLEZuoie3pI5m2SY0sieSEb1wEFVkMSdsftQvc1jGILZ3HtoB_S1RepXBEqdtNg9ALYNaR4ExYAhnS6dKylLmmX4/s160/P1190402.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclPzEqMa4fIZzQ3eMap-r6dbBvTN2sb2m8raClGPGV7gBFbFe-AERgwj91iStW1G4TYHf_EGe_hdQjxo7f3GgIaEMKdBRGRUzftxCA-l-jZU8R34x2vqMm57QuAefe-6YwQA1omZ1K1g/s1600/P1190416.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjclPzEqMa4fIZzQ3eMap-r6dbBvTN2sb2m8raClGPGV7gBFbFe-AERgwj91iStW1G4TYHf_EGe_hdQjxo7f3GgIaEMKdBRGRUzftxCA-l-jZU8R34x2vqMm57QuAefe-6YwQA1omZ1K1g/s160/P1190416.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> The first item of business for the morning was to confirm that the weather for the next two days was going to be good for our Gulf crossing. The Captain said we were “Good to Go” so at 8 am we hauled up the anchor and set our course for Tarpon Springs. <b><i>S/V Zephyr</i></b> was ready to go as well, but <b><i>m/v Dual Dreams </i></b>held tight. Sailboats can handle the wind and waves much better than most trawlers. <b><i>Dual Dreams </i></b>planned to wait it out for a forecast of calmer seas and less wind.<br />
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We began our trip with a temperature of 47 degrees, sunny skies and no wind. As the day progressed, the temperature rose towards 70 degrees and the wind steadily increased out of the northeast. We had both sails up and the motor running much of the time to be able to maintain a speed of 6 or 7 knots. The forecast was for the wind to keep up and increase even more overnight.<br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtEwlpgTuGssq3prGd6lyiJkqW2izl1MpF3NNwhGePPbGy414FXF7iN2DkVDIQkJb0xkZxZLu2YBSwmy75j8v4O3fXz7J12-A8fh-eIM2zzvLSr31ll-h_v5PLGlFTgstpsMYLvnivKk/s1600/P1190429.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJtEwlpgTuGssq3prGd6lyiJkqW2izl1MpF3NNwhGePPbGy414FXF7iN2DkVDIQkJb0xkZxZLu2YBSwmy75j8v4O3fXz7J12-A8fh-eIM2zzvLSr31ll-h_v5PLGlFTgstpsMYLvnivKk/s320/P1190429.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqc3mINjKUHYgZanXd79FMgmB-r5k4I-Isk8i_EknIi2fmHCFXzQrpNk7Ly5FKrt3dxhkA19vzdxKoINORZ-gl8-PmuwIs1tA1VfgedqRI2l4WiOwOd6XoM4POWz6wTIu_LAfVeNPb84/s1600/P1190437.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRqc3mINjKUHYgZanXd79FMgmB-r5k4I-Isk8i_EknIi2fmHCFXzQrpNk7Ly5FKrt3dxhkA19vzdxKoINORZ-gl8-PmuwIs1tA1VfgedqRI2l4WiOwOd6XoM4POWz6wTIu_LAfVeNPb84/s160/P1190437.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1B9LaoI21JTAh1Eg2InXDXcfpEEyno58GuWCIEbICSA7sjSsWcfnwaxlnjS0tWqjZHkaS0dTfTwsMEmzI3ES-cwx-loK3au-9olAfj2UFqPE7c4CAaRT1sJfVTaeQWzwSsAklg3VROc/s1600/P1190446.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhE1B9LaoI21JTAh1Eg2InXDXcfpEEyno58GuWCIEbICSA7sjSsWcfnwaxlnjS0tWqjZHkaS0dTfTwsMEmzI3ES-cwx-loK3au-9olAfj2UFqPE7c4CAaRT1sJfVTaeQWzwSsAklg3VROc/s160/P1190446.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuvEC8N2o2UVqQzwjXkllD10DMqk37SQFwFc1RDyrLYgaIhKqNoDgijaSEtcOtgqkJ9puMSLxGFwY0evYbartrSAXZvnfNDjCcDni9ZERbOBIH9VbuTCprlFue4vET5Z8okpE2sBRt9g/s1600/P1190449.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJuvEC8N2o2UVqQzwjXkllD10DMqk37SQFwFc1RDyrLYgaIhKqNoDgijaSEtcOtgqkJ9puMSLxGFwY0evYbartrSAXZvnfNDjCcDni9ZERbOBIH9VbuTCprlFue4vET5Z8okpE2sBRt9g/s160/P1190449.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
We trolled for fish as we sailed along. Captain Gale had three lines going at once. Our first fish hit at 1:30 pm and he was a ferocious fighter! It took several minutes to boat him and it turned out to be a Little Tunny, aka Blue Bonito, False Albacore or Little Tuna. The food value is not high, but the sport was worth the battle. After a photo, he was released and the line was baited up for the next one. It wasn’t long before we caught a small mahi mahi. We took a picture of that one and let him go, too, in hopes of catching a bigger one. The third strike was a Spanish Mackerel and he put up a good fight. In fact, he kept fighting all the way to the fillet table. Before the first cut, he slipped away and jumped back in the water!! Dang it!! At sunset we brought in all the lines and did not put them back in again for the rest of the trip.<br />
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About 3 pm, the wind and waves came up enough to make the ride a bit bumpy. We didn’t mind, though, since the wind was in our favor and we were moving along quite nicely. During the night, winds blew from 15 to 25 knots and for awhile, we even turned the motor off since we didn’t need it and we didn’t want to arrive at our destination before light. We were glad that we could sail and lift the lower unit out of the water as we were getting closer to shallow water and the possibility of crab pots being present. Sure enough, as the sun began to rise, we could see there were crab pots all around us.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuEHbiN6EHv5AVFfTL2xowXxhwRG9UtJhrzF3CCDNUHK1c6h56VNFeHwxO60lIsn9bnf2daLXsoblzItTNHXub5AbRkrUKJ3cirRRbZ1gwD3N6CWeegyYBgFNJCWemsSPKdA-TB-ypmI/s1600/P1190463.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgQuEHbiN6EHv5AVFfTL2xowXxhwRG9UtJhrzF3CCDNUHK1c6h56VNFeHwxO60lIsn9bnf2daLXsoblzItTNHXub5AbRkrUKJ3cirRRbZ1gwD3N6CWeegyYBgFNJCWemsSPKdA-TB-ypmI/s160/P1190463.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekZLh_Y4C7QWZWWNSfL6k1qI4Q6dItHSW9T2Io9oYraxrNJGgLQygMgdQamYcGCOwxiRoROWtJSDlG5UQl2TyC_e7_i_TGgaa5rVcyoqVdPhlYY1tcN0Kwjhl4HSGVp0qFvUPVIhpGQ8/s1600/P1190464.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhekZLh_Y4C7QWZWWNSfL6k1qI4Q6dItHSW9T2Io9oYraxrNJGgLQygMgdQamYcGCOwxiRoROWtJSDlG5UQl2TyC_e7_i_TGgaa5rVcyoqVdPhlYY1tcN0Kwjhl4HSGVp0qFvUPVIhpGQ8/s160/P1190464.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_0WR0FIZnuqixxuibQqj05GqZUZP8K9HxLHenE_Zgin605-eRRMYehKrCowPOdxe1cM2ef68lDJqyT9H-Qet8UctA26T8nfviETjSSg9SlzcbAJzgVeEGx5maiEq-1qYERZYLKRyxJo/s1600/P1190470.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJ_0WR0FIZnuqixxuibQqj05GqZUZP8K9HxLHenE_Zgin605-eRRMYehKrCowPOdxe1cM2ef68lDJqyT9H-Qet8UctA26T8nfviETjSSg9SlzcbAJzgVeEGx5maiEq-1qYERZYLKRyxJo/s160/P1190470.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcwuxOCmYtnCXYjqHyTkiff1JTycXgrqELQ0Y32T1_TYQe6TNW0osYrjKuWxxBcd6u46sTs5tRPvMd5udiv2uCZ0U1kh7vQl48oqErIsIJ9NHwQ3hTzvH4P5ElCws0CKzzX-S8LDTezg/s1600/P1190471.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPcwuxOCmYtnCXYjqHyTkiff1JTycXgrqELQ0Y32T1_TYQe6TNW0osYrjKuWxxBcd6u46sTs5tRPvMd5udiv2uCZ0U1kh7vQl48oqErIsIJ9NHwQ3hTzvH4P5ElCws0CKzzX-S8LDTezg/s160/P1190471.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZShgpWkH7INXXqR5nnA-nA9l0UGMmRZaDd8YCZzccITB0cuwEl2ouW8_BjNTwe-9DaOZeHmTX2t-xAzu1E2APUkoIrQ5nkxfFbxRMvf5wROqZZp1Fq1iMeMEwjv1G-z4hiecUdQ0Jrk/s1600/P1190477.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbZShgpWkH7INXXqR5nnA-nA9l0UGMmRZaDd8YCZzccITB0cuwEl2ouW8_BjNTwe-9DaOZeHmTX2t-xAzu1E2APUkoIrQ5nkxfFbxRMvf5wROqZZp1Fq1iMeMEwjv1G-z4hiecUdQ0Jrk/s160/P1190477.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> At 11:30 am Saturday morning, after 27-1/2 hours and 181 statute miles, we pulled into a slip at the Tarpon Springs City Marina and went to shore for the afternoon. The Captain and the Admiral both agreed that we had just completed our most comfortable “big water” crossing to date. The wind was to our advantage and the waves were “ok” even though they were on our beam. Neither the Captain nor the Admiral got seasick at any point.<br />
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The Tarpon Springs Marina allows vessels to tie up during the day for a small ($10) fee as long as the boat is not there overnight. You can even use the water, electricity, showers, etc. <b><i>Blue Heron</i></b> and <b><i>Zephyr</i></b> both took a slip and we went for a walk. We found a charming waterfront community filled with little shops selling sponges, antiques, excursion boat operators handing out flyers, and Greek restaurants and bakeries galore. We were enchanted with the place and couldn’t believe we had passed by this way twice before without coming in to discover the town.<br />
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Tarpon Springs is hailed as the “Sponge Capital of the World” and is the oldest town in Pinellas County. It is located five miles up the Anclote River where it intersects with the Gulf of Mexico. In 1905 six Greek men started a prosperous sponge diving business there. Word of their success spread to Greece quickly and the migration of Greek people to Tarpon Springs continues to this day.<br />
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On our walk, it didn’t take Roger long to find a cigar store and select his favorite indulgence for the day. We checked out a few sponge shops, tasted some Greek wine and then chose The Parthenonas Restaurant for lunch. Gale and Maureen shared an appetizer of Spanakopita, a blend of spinach, onions and feta cheese baked in a flaky phyllo dough, that was, to put it mildly, Fabulouso! Our entrée was also “to die for” – homemade Greek spaghetti topped with lamb shank and served with Greek style potatoes and fresh bread. There were no regrets at the table whatsoever.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZr0rU84hrWL9W0uRZoZ5RXhVNMh7H-dR0fxnst9yFBE1qpQynPnRw81PJIZ__pCDUj8iseWxOTRp8Uf223JFOtQt2wRUTY7J7MlJHbEhDOtYcTNlrEExcWRHCyJBBl5eyvzgiHX1zto/s1600/P1190476.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhsZr0rU84hrWL9W0uRZoZ5RXhVNMh7H-dR0fxnst9yFBE1qpQynPnRw81PJIZ__pCDUj8iseWxOTRp8Uf223JFOtQt2wRUTY7J7MlJHbEhDOtYcTNlrEExcWRHCyJBBl5eyvzgiHX1zto/s400/P1190476.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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The four of us strolled back to the boats and made our way to an anchorage a local sailor had told us about. The anchorage was not mentioned in any of our guidebooks and we were happy to learn that we didn’t have to travel all the way out to the power plant (4 or 5 miles back down the river) and could anchor closer to the action. We settled in and watched the evening activity on the water.Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-85313411550089802652011-10-20T18:06:00.001-05:002011-10-24T09:11:48.187-05:00Thursday, October 20, 2011 – Apalachicola, mile 351.3It felt like a typical fall morning – cool and dry air, leaves dry, turning and falling from the trees and a sunny sky. We met a couple of the locals who come out to fish on the pier or bring their fishing boats and launch them there on a regular basis. One lady pulled in a nice flounder and said she catches them all the time.<br />
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At 11 am, we untied the dock lines and headed east toward Apalachicola. The winds were out of the north northwest from 10-20 mph so we used our headsail to help us along. We followed <b><i>Zephyr</i></b> and let them set the pace. In the middle of Lake Wimico, we saw <b><i>Dual Dreams </i></b>coming up behind us. As we exited the lake and entered the canal, <b><i>Dual Dreams </i></b>passed and went on to the anchorage at Apalachicola.<br />
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At 3 pm, we were anchored and secure just before the Gorrie Memorial Bridge and planning for a crossing in the morning. Gale took the dinghy over and picked up Roger and Dita and went into town. Maureen opted to stay aboard the boat and work on the blog while Gale went in search of some extra fishing line.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijd49ZO0qeP0RRZih92HZ-6jWZ6iSmLzc7IzMfY5AtUEZxuayQUUYq4wKLnGQflQOa7gkW54VxEuWBJbCpQCrStO7cZaMb7NAXoOmwXjc1s5ny7juxXFLMJBXmw5VuNvUFEDwExpKoaQ/s1600/P1190369.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhijd49ZO0qeP0RRZih92HZ-6jWZ6iSmLzc7IzMfY5AtUEZxuayQUUYq4wKLnGQflQOa7gkW54VxEuWBJbCpQCrStO7cZaMb7NAXoOmwXjc1s5ny7juxXFLMJBXmw5VuNvUFEDwExpKoaQ/s400/P1190369.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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When Gale returned, he had fresh shrimp and scallops with him. We combined that with the bass that was thawed and grilled a feast for our dinner.Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-51235512507521382011-10-20T17:34:00.000-05:002011-10-20T17:34:16.602-05:00Wednesday, October 19, 2011 – White City free dock, mile 329.5The wind came up during the night as forecast and was blowing 25 to 30 knots out of the northwest. We had paid for a week at the marina and it was now over. We were eager to move on and the plan was to join Roger and Dita at the White City dock for the night – just a few miles away. <br />
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We spent the morning with our last minute chores including another stop at the hardware, sporting goods, liquor and grocery stores. Gale also had Roger’s boat propane tank filled for him. A special treat was a pancake breakfast at McDonald’s before going back to the boat.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-C7Y82BvzHlVHqNi4u4FqzXRCktFPRjKnsL-w3FD0LQgGdPIKRBTUTUzb1SEt0QWKLLoD4vwNR5sY2zUZZMd_TqXWIHNgqNbcZqTjKNsV_O0c6sRcsbUuVVxR5QBV3P7Nz9K4DbEB2E/s1600/P1190327.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhc-C7Y82BvzHlVHqNi4u4FqzXRCktFPRjKnsL-w3FD0LQgGdPIKRBTUTUzb1SEt0QWKLLoD4vwNR5sY2zUZZMd_TqXWIHNgqNbcZqTjKNsV_O0c6sRcsbUuVVxR5QBV3P7Nz9K4DbEB2E/s160/P1190327.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnDvqstMhlgRhc6jZ4yvLrsYws086K0b1BENZzyBdDeuy3BbLwOhc-RfpEihNPGlKfMSdwBSPm1R7smX9FgV1SxJYK-iEpE3J83uAOTxC2JYc27yw9efI8w2Vs2Acw2DF_gBPJttgRtw/s1600/P1190343.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUnDvqstMhlgRhc6jZ4yvLrsYws086K0b1BENZzyBdDeuy3BbLwOhc-RfpEihNPGlKfMSdwBSPm1R7smX9FgV1SxJYK-iEpE3J83uAOTxC2JYc27yw9efI8w2Vs2Acw2DF_gBPJttgRtw/s160/P1190343.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-b82OSpDrZNSNCarr7YhY5JhMiZgj8maeZZA9MVfD4j42nMAhBqDRZXrooO164QkKykkXrbsQYB8WAnO9MvmA3mJiy266vXNMpGxPMMUiRjnYxLYWWphd6Zd9YYen4pJwPyMIwgm_5c/s1600/P1190363.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEin-b82OSpDrZNSNCarr7YhY5JhMiZgj8maeZZA9MVfD4j42nMAhBqDRZXrooO164QkKykkXrbsQYB8WAnO9MvmA3mJiy266vXNMpGxPMMUiRjnYxLYWWphd6Zd9YYen4pJwPyMIwgm_5c/s160/P1190363.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> The wind was blowing a steady 30 mph when we left the dock at 11:15 am. The waves were 3 to 4 feet in the bay and it was a crazy one mile ride to the safety of the canal. In retrospect, we said we wouldn’t do it again because the risk of finding ourselves aground or up on the rocks was too great. Fortunately, we didn’t have any mishaps. Once we were in the canal, it was a slow ride. We weren’t fighting the wind and waves anymore, but the tide was against us and we had a 2-1/2 to 3 knot current to contend with. It took us two hours to travel the seven miles to the free dock.<br />
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At 1:15 pm, we were tucked on the inside of the fixed docks at White City. The canal had been quite wavy with a few white caps when we turned the corner to travel east on the ICW, but the inside dock was very well protected and we had no wave or wind action whatsoever. The sun was shining and it was a lovely afternoon with temps in the upper 60’s. <br />
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Dita and Roger invited us to dinner on their boat. During the afternoon, Dita baked a fresh loaf of bread and shared a piece with us. The evening meal was absolutely wonderful and very much appreciated. We enjoyed pork roast, baby red potatoes, fresh cole slaw and giant sliced tomatoes. Roger made Bloody Marys and served some fabulous French red wine with our meal. What a lovely evening with friends.Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-5588003026359042852011-10-20T16:50:00.000-05:002011-10-20T16:50:12.138-05:00Thurs, Oct 13 thru Tues, Oct 18, 2011 - Port St Joe Marina<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtE_n9JJeqMcfCttAz041MOjhy_FoS_MYH9ArPqCycvaNY32Nr_LFinX1xMx10BTKy3MFxzoXfUMUerjjwiQbnQshprOTYClkAV7jns-1_RJI4sESXg6yDhksj4jV_DBfyd5gi61dojeA/s1600/P1190299.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtE_n9JJeqMcfCttAz041MOjhy_FoS_MYH9ArPqCycvaNY32Nr_LFinX1xMx10BTKy3MFxzoXfUMUerjjwiQbnQshprOTYClkAV7jns-1_RJI4sESXg6yDhksj4jV_DBfyd5gi61dojeA/s400/P1190299.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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Since we had dropped off our car in Port St Joe before leaving Florence, Alabama, we decided to take a drive along the main highway to Mexico Beach on Thursday. We did not try to tackle much in the way of boat projects that day and simply enjoyed the wonderfully warm fall weather. In the afternoon, Mike and Harriet arrived on <b><i>m/v Dual Dreams </i></b>and took a side tie along the north dock. Late afternoon we walked over to the <b><i>Haughty Heron </i></b>which is a bar, a liquor store and a cigar store. Lucky us! Happy Hour was just about to begin so we had a cocktail before going back to our boat for a light fish supper.<br />
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Friday was another lovely day. The marina was sponsoring a gathering for the local Humane Society and provided hot dogs, chips, drinks and a place to bring a few of the animals from their facility. We had been thinking about getting another dog for the last few months but the representatives hadn’t brought any small ones. No problem, we found out where the Humane Society was located and drove out to see what we could see. They had a lot of big dogs and one really cute rat terrier / blue heeler puppy they called ‘Finch.’ Finch’s previous owner’s last name was Finch and the name seemed to fit him well. If Finch had been a female, ‘she’ might have gone home with us that day. That evening, we met Mike and Harriet for happy hour up by the marina building before walking over to the <b><i>Haughty Heron</i></b>. After we’d had enough, we made a quick stroll to the Piggly Wiggly grocery store and picked up some freshly steamed shrimp to share for our dinner.<br />
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On Saturday morning, Maureen and Harriet loaded up the laundry and headed over to the local coin operated laundromat. As our clothes were washing, we walked across the street to check out the Farmers Market. Neither of us bought anything since the only cash we had on us were the quarters we needed for the machines. It was just as well – Maureen was drawn to the sweets and we had been doing such a good job of avoiding them lately. <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyt2XDJ5jplOfOy83H0Nb72cgMxYfPOZ4bG6ooyTJdY7A6HDRDqRUuZMX3iZu6nFSOKPz_ocxMC_LLJuUUYR3aY4ij5_R7ktAM42HHvloh7ZSoQk16kXqTR42G17xc9enmnh__fuuL7g/s1600/2011-10-15_14-52-19_846.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbyt2XDJ5jplOfOy83H0Nb72cgMxYfPOZ4bG6ooyTJdY7A6HDRDqRUuZMX3iZu6nFSOKPz_ocxMC_LLJuUUYR3aY4ij5_R7ktAM42HHvloh7ZSoQk16kXqTR42G17xc9enmnh__fuuL7g/s320/2011-10-15_14-52-19_846.jpg' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
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We learned there was a Wine and Art Festival taking place in Mexico Beach. It sounded like a good time, so at 3 pm, with Mike and Harriet, we piled in the car and drove to the Driftwood Inn where the festival was taking place. There was a $5 entrance fee and if you wanted a commemorative wine glass, that was another $5. Oh, and if you wanted wine, it was another $5 for about a 5 oz serving. Thankfully, we didn’t buy any glasses. The wine that was being served was not very good and there were only a few artists displaying their wares. Our first clue that we might be disappointed was from the guy who walked out about the time we were coming in and plopped his commemorative glass on the ticket table telling them to resell it. He said, “It was a complete waste!” <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeAS_GftzjKNXR_oLk2o1BM9_Evl_rq91NRij08BqVnn-_lW-imDIwZV6s7ntqgPomFDDYuDxSd_uPvQ-FT85Y4V1Wf6CcBMFDz4OGCzHP8kDcmCtSLJo4IStdSLfEwyt0KPByPtdaPA/s1600/2011-10-15_15-44-00_827.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkeAS_GftzjKNXR_oLk2o1BM9_Evl_rq91NRij08BqVnn-_lW-imDIwZV6s7ntqgPomFDDYuDxSd_uPvQ-FT85Y4V1Wf6CcBMFDz4OGCzHP8kDcmCtSLJo4IStdSLfEwyt0KPByPtdaPA/s320/2011-10-15_15-44-00_827.jpg' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
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Not to be deterred, we decided to try out some other places. Toucan’s was a fun sports bar / tiki bar on the beach; we stopped at the Windmark property between Port St Joe and Mexico Beach and were pleasantly surprised by the happy hour prices. From there it was on to the Haughty Heron for the Songwriters’ Festival that had started the night before and various artists were singing at different venues in the area. The singing began at 7 pm and we stayed for a little over an hour. We were all getting hungry and planned on going to the Mexican Restaurant, Peppers, because we had heard it was very good. However, Gale got hung up trying to purchase CDs and asking questions about some of the songs. Mike and Harriet decided they were ready to go home and make something quick for dinner. We soon followed suit and went home ourselves.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwh-Amkenl4BssygxUF2uUhVqRgEhVuFPoOOgI7iFZXx7vCQjOdkXRLf8jFB_B9zsZlzWdeisBLNQ0kD_OKe4ue76ov3Ywy8hR16zlnu5VHWjNo2WIlFgXlTXKDvUeE7FQvIG5xDUnECI/s1600/2011-10-15_19-09-08_836.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwh-Amkenl4BssygxUF2uUhVqRgEhVuFPoOOgI7iFZXx7vCQjOdkXRLf8jFB_B9zsZlzWdeisBLNQ0kD_OKe4ue76ov3Ywy8hR16zlnu5VHWjNo2WIlFgXlTXKDvUeE7FQvIG5xDUnECI/s320/2011-10-15_19-09-08_836.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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Sunday morning was spent on chores and picking up a few groceries. At 3:30 pm, the two of us took a dinghy ride out into the bay and a short distance up the Gulf Canal. Gale threw in his fishing line and it wasn’t long before something hit. <a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypayQq76vju89NqWIsffWW85eNVt1dvwV2UvgfD1u_cncgkM1JHW1aY17ANSLbp8tJwDUnUBnJeZAYXeXMMYeRxIsKVQP_u3qUjEMNCYsP2tQT6fyX7GT_rpr09GLVBarSXIEyuiIaD4/s1600/P1190307.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiypayQq76vju89NqWIsffWW85eNVt1dvwV2UvgfD1u_cncgkM1JHW1aY17ANSLbp8tJwDUnUBnJeZAYXeXMMYeRxIsKVQP_u3qUjEMNCYsP2tQT6fyX7GT_rpr09GLVBarSXIEyuiIaD4/s320/P1190307.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcouVepmv_KYlYnshjStZkxkuftqclUGMxDBdxPNHIhAnBLTUeHTTejwgv0K3j9oof2UE7Wx0E9c_ZK8IAGExlP14ommjO-rcKCI5-ZAOOVCF_Z4XDjgLvVlRifUv1MRQ9Y5g2I2CLTw/s1600/P1190323.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLcouVepmv_KYlYnshjStZkxkuftqclUGMxDBdxPNHIhAnBLTUeHTTejwgv0K3j9oof2UE7Wx0E9c_ZK8IAGExlP14ommjO-rcKCI5-ZAOOVCF_Z4XDjgLvVlRifUv1MRQ9Y5g2I2CLTw/s320/P1190323.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
After a few minutes’ fight, he brought a small (30-inch) shark up to the dinghy. He didn’t want to get close to those teeth, so he cut the line and let it go with his hook. The next hit was a large lizard fish – Yuk! Then something REALLY big snapped his line after swallowing the lure and an 18-inch steel leader. These three hits were all out in the bay. While in the canal, he hooked a big catfish. It was time to quit and call it a day. About 6 pm, one of the charter fishing boats came in after 12 hours and unloaded its catch at the fuel dock. There were about six guys that had been out all day and each of them must have had at least five large fish. Most of the catch was red grouper, amberjack and mackerel.<br />
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Monday was a day dedicated to relaxation. Gale went shopping – he stopped at all the “guy places;” i.e., hardware store, automotive store and sporting goods store. Maureen got to read most of the afternoon. In the evening, we went out with Mike and Harriet to the Haughty Heron for a happy hour drink and then to Pepper’s Mexican Restaurant for dinner. Afterwards, we walked into the Port St Joe Bar for a game of pool but didn’t stay long – it was definitely a bar for the locals.<br />
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It started raining around 4 am Tuesday morning and rained hard until the middle of the afternoon. Early in the afternoon, Gale drove over to White City to check out the free city dock. We knew Roger and Dita, <b><i>s/v Zephyr</i></b>, were about four hours away and were interested in tying up there if it were suitable. Gale let them know that it was a nice place to stop and offered to pick them up once they had settled in and bring them back to Port St Joe for a shower and to grab some dinner. At 4:30 pm, we drove out to the White City dock thinking that their cell phones might not work there – we were correct. We loaded them up and drove back to the marina where they took some nice hot showers. From there, it was back to Peppers for a great meal and home to our respective vessels for the night.Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-21741964590460666682011-10-17T08:36:00.000-05:002011-10-17T08:36:34.329-05:00Wednesday, October 12, 2011 – Port St Joe Marina, five miles south of ICW mile 327.5<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmDVUXVOIykj1dR-aIavjEOQLSzELIZ-_J0-dowFLuJ5jiw0NX3_8McBDxYTEX626AgRC42Ngtc88iPSiI7RKRIsKl7VvUr9atR27gHjMRMsfnJceER6cULGUOs-w53WR_oAiBT9GeMs/s1600/P1190228.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEmDVUXVOIykj1dR-aIavjEOQLSzELIZ-_J0-dowFLuJ5jiw0NX3_8McBDxYTEX626AgRC42Ngtc88iPSiI7RKRIsKl7VvUr9atR27gHjMRMsfnJceER6cULGUOs-w53WR_oAiBT9GeMs/s160/P1190228.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> The moon setting over the anchorage in the morning was a spectacular sight. After Maureen took a few photos using the flash and brought the “night lights” in, she heard someone hailing “the catamaran anchored in East Bay.” It turned out to be the captain in the houseboat tied at a nearby dock. He said he saw a strobe flashing and wondered if we were having any problems. She assured him that there was no difficulty but thanked him for his concern. He also offered to pick us up in his little runabout if we were interested in coming ashore for a walk but she declined the offer saying that we would soon be lifting the anchor and heading out. It's good to know we have friends wherever we go. <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8Oy77ezf52DwSOPIQFT4lo8FRe3IhBOYGUHGw0FT1OkZDp_pfRDrpYMW8xLJ9aRT8syWQnCcP88_EYk6GqErGT0FEsOaqdyAxbocA5b7rdFZffIfsD9f5ql-GW80BI6Sv5CaUZswlLI/s1600/P1190236.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk8Oy77ezf52DwSOPIQFT4lo8FRe3IhBOYGUHGw0FT1OkZDp_pfRDrpYMW8xLJ9aRT8syWQnCcP88_EYk6GqErGT0FEsOaqdyAxbocA5b7rdFZffIfsD9f5ql-GW80BI6Sv5CaUZswlLI/s400/P1190236.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DUJmYl0oXS5365mYMIS2q-e9XTqF-H9QUclX_HSRWLz-fvst5lIcNPIGgNVi2uQ5SBcs7TcHvZ0G3HpzK-TuD3sK4ntpKlvridLg3fUI7dNQih_roitB_FgZ6cay2tiuUlQjVLZuKNk/s1600/P1190265.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0DUJmYl0oXS5365mYMIS2q-e9XTqF-H9QUclX_HSRWLz-fvst5lIcNPIGgNVi2uQ5SBcs7TcHvZ0G3HpzK-TuD3sK4ntpKlvridLg3fUI7dNQih_roitB_FgZ6cay2tiuUlQjVLZuKNk/s160/P1190265.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBktnpHUHABfCWVj0RPyZRpjqWwN2E20nc1sUe6ZsUYaORMmdfBQKFoP8PNL1TC5_20oNcZpP-TO0YnSKusVjhiuN87we1N6PJ4DpKVSpHVkjSv0HTrAWydRJgzSxwcrIQMgYAZuCQyw/s1600/P1190269.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXBktnpHUHABfCWVj0RPyZRpjqWwN2E20nc1sUe6ZsUYaORMmdfBQKFoP8PNL1TC5_20oNcZpP-TO0YnSKusVjhiuN87we1N6PJ4DpKVSpHVkjSv0HTrAWydRJgzSxwcrIQMgYAZuCQyw/s160/P1190269.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPO6o7zxvzJO_7CWra2xfmCIrfLyWgliY31T5gAjCR9CcuAllx7h-5ZtZ1ElhD73T19mDdvTXsfQrf0bWqvnTY7oVUnU1sEBYRIMfJCCjTgPlTQYXia_dfNbTKzXrTwwgb8XwMrm6f38/s1600/P1190273.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinPO6o7zxvzJO_7CWra2xfmCIrfLyWgliY31T5gAjCR9CcuAllx7h-5ZtZ1ElhD73T19mDdvTXsfQrf0bWqvnTY7oVUnU1sEBYRIMfJCCjTgPlTQYXia_dfNbTKzXrTwwgb8XwMrm6f38/s160/P1190273.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> At 7 am, we motored back out to the channel and continued our eastward journey. It was a hazy morning, 70 degrees, mostly cloudy with a light northeasterly breeze. We saw a couple of small oyster boats out doing their thing, a few dolphins playing in the canal and many pelicans out fishing. It was a very enjoyable morning cruising along the eastern section of St. Andrews Bay, particularly Wetappo Creek. Neither of us remembered much about this section from our previous trip through and we wondered why because it was quite beautiful and very remote. <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNOeQgJw_J_2BQTxK-6zHASz4kwPiMb585icJzKfUmg-NlKq6cOH9ZbV57yjzhhh9iT2_ZXwsup0BlPojxwmesxULG8cV_qqGR_0zr71Cq08pX1rtPKC4dwzu0SYE9-vahlDMwvEv-pg/s1600/P1190287.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirNOeQgJw_J_2BQTxK-6zHASz4kwPiMb585icJzKfUmg-NlKq6cOH9ZbV57yjzhhh9iT2_ZXwsup0BlPojxwmesxULG8cV_qqGR_0zr71Cq08pX1rtPKC4dwzu0SYE9-vahlDMwvEv-pg/s160/P1190287.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
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After twenty miles of river, we entered the Gulf County Canal, a five-mile cut from the ICW to the protected waters of St. Joseph Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. We saw several small fishing boats out with two or three fishermen on board and most of them seemed to have at least one fish on as we passed by. Gale started getting the itch to get out there and see what he could catch.<br />
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We also noticed a couple of abandoned docks with several boats that hadn’t been attended to in a long time. We later learned that the locals called the dock “the pirate dock” because the company that owned it had gone bankrupt, nobody claims it and if you tie a boat there for a time and leave it, it will soon be picked clean of anything worth removing. <br />
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We passed under the Port St. Joe Bridge (Hwy 98) and entered beautiful St. Joseph Bay. It almost felt like “coming home” since we’ve enjoyed Port St. Joe so much on previous visits. We were at the fuel dock at noon (Central Time) but moved our clocks ahead one hour as we had crossed over into the Eastern Time Zone. It was a lovely 80 degrees and the clouds were beginning to thin out. <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIPonCD6qc6Yht5ezi8GgQEgYMV2PbFyZvUrT18Boa40fRwHkX8a_zNR0aZeyqzAoAgTmesI0gf9hvMOwapEuaSb2sIvLJW1BSaOsgsw76rGMFOq_z0287qzxczyfXCkonKqpA1_lLwc/s1600/P1190295.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAIPonCD6qc6Yht5ezi8GgQEgYMV2PbFyZvUrT18Boa40fRwHkX8a_zNR0aZeyqzAoAgTmesI0gf9hvMOwapEuaSb2sIvLJW1BSaOsgsw76rGMFOq_z0287qzxczyfXCkonKqpA1_lLwc/s400/P1190295.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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After fueling up, we settled into our slip at the end of the south dock and enjoyed our bay view. That evening, we treated ourselves to dinner at the Dockside Café and shared the blackened bay scallops entrée. Maureen was a little surprised to discover that scallops could be so small – they were only slightly bigger than a pencil eraser. We later learned that was typical for bay scallops – it’s the sea scallops that are the big ones.Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-70923750289710648922011-10-16T09:12:00.000-05:002011-10-16T09:12:12.838-05:00Tuesday, October 11, 2011 – Allanton East Bay of St. Andrews Bay, mile 306.5We were up before sunrise and away from the dock at 6:30 am. The sky was cloudy, temperature was 70 degrees and the wind was blowing from the NNE at 8 to 18 knots. <b><i>Dual Dreams </i></b>pulled out of the anchorage moments before us and we followed them into Choctawhatchee Bay. With the wind, we were able to travel at 7.5 knots and had a great 20-mile sail across the bay. When we entered the canal that connects Choctawhatchee Bay and St. Andrews Bay, we lost our wind and slowed to about 5.5 knots. <br />
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By mid afternoon, we exited the canal into St. Andrews Bay and picked up a light westerly breeze. It wasn’t much, but we kept the mainsail up and used whatever wind we could catch. The original plan was to anchor in Smack Bayou near Panama City but since it was only 3:30 pm, we decided to go another five miles to Pearl Bayou where <b><i>Dual Dr</i>eams </b>had said they would likely anchor for the night.<br />
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As we neared the entrance to Pearl Bayou, we found the smell from the paper mill to be overwhelming. When we anchored in Smack Bayou two years ago, the wind had been out of the east and drove the smell right into our boat. It was physically sickening to both of us. With a west wind blowing, we would have been fine in Smack Bayou on this occasion but we did not want to backtrack. We kept on going past Pearl Bayou to get some distance from the mill and the smell.<br />
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Ten miles and two hours later, we found a nice little anchorage in the East Bay at Allanton. It was not noted as an anchorage in any of our guides, but in fair weather, it turned out to be very peaceful and safe. Even though we had traveled from sunrise to sunset, we had enjoyed the day and were excited for tomorrow when we would cover the last few miles to Port St. Joe.Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-66593777371531507572011-10-16T08:17:00.000-05:002011-10-16T08:17:19.979-05:00Monday, October 10, 2011 – Joe’s Bayou, mile 229.5, DestinThere was still a stiff northeast breeze blowing but we were ready to pull up anchor and move on. We hoped that we could get just enough angle on the wind that we could “pinch” into it and get a boost with our sails. At 8:30 am, we pulled out of Ft McRae and into Pensacola Pass with a sunny sky, a temperature of 68 degrees and a 12 knot northeast wind. We were soon hailed by a large ship that was getting ready to enter the pass. He asked us to hold up as he came through and made the turn and we were happy to oblige.<br />
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As the morning progressed, the wind increased and started to come a little bit more out of the north. The clouds also moved in until there was no blue sky left to be seen. We made good time as we traveled along between 6.5 and 7.5 knots. <br />
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It was only about 3:30 pm when we arrived at Ft Walton Beach. We checked out the free municipal dock since we had already called ahead for permission to tie up overnight. There was a grocery store a couple of blocks from the dock and we thought it would be a good place to stay since it was on the north side of the channel and somewhat protected from the winds. The dock was just before the low 49 foot clearance fixed bridge at Ft Walton Beach. After considering the fact that the tide was low in the afternoon and it would be high in the morning, we thought it best to clear the bridge and keep on going to Joe’s Bayou, another five miles up the waterway. <br />
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On our way to Joe’s Bayou, we sent a message to our friends Jack and Candis Wilson who have a beautiful home there on the water. We met the Wilsons last winter at the Vinoy Marina in St Petersburg and stayed on their dock when we came through in April. Jack was home and invited us to come on in and tie up in the big slip since his boat was not there tonight.<br />
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As we arrived at the mouth of the bayou, we saw our friends’ boat, <b><i>Dual Dreams,</i></b> anchored there. We said hello as we passed by and went on in to the dock. It was nice to have such a safe harbor for the night.<br />
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We stopped up at the house and joined Jack for a glass of wine. He said he was going out somewhere to grab a bite and we were welcome to join him. We enjoyed a great Mexican dinner at <b><i>Pepito’s</i></b>. Thanks, Jack!Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-75172971827135322902011-10-15T13:12:00.001-05:002011-10-16T09:13:45.823-05:00Sat, Oct 8 to Sun, Oct 9, 2011 – Ft McRae, mile 178.4, near Pensacola<b>Captain Gale's Quote for the Day:</b> <blockquote>Bein’ on the hook when the weather’s good, you can’t beat. Bein’ on the hook when the weather’s not, you can’t sleep.</blockquote><br />
Words spoken after a wild night at anchor. Around 1 am, the wind came up and started blowing us around pretty good. It wasn’t nearly as bad for us, though, as it was for the folks camped out on the beach. At 3 am, we could no longer see the three tents that had been set up near the water’s edge. We weren’t sure if the people were trying to sleep on their boats or if they were just up walking around. There was a lot of unsettledness around the campsite and it had to be pretty chilly for them.<br />
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The sunrise revealed the tents had been torn down and reset up in the sand dunes. Hopefully, the campers had been able to get a little bit of sleep. <br />
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The wind continued to blow all morning and by 11 am, they had packed up their little runabouts and taken off. We soon had the anchor up and motored one mile over to the Ft McRae anchorage for a little more protection. Not to mention the fact that Gale would be closer to his fishing hole.<br />
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Towards the middle of the afternoon, the wind began to die down just as it had the last couple of days and Gale took the dinghy out to catch more redfish. And catch he did – another four redfish and a nice flounder in about an hour’s time. He released all but the flounder since we had no room in the freezer for more big fish.<br />
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On Saturday and Sunday we shared the anchorage with a few local boaters – especially during the daylight hours. <br />
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Gale took some time on Sunday afternoon to make some new lines. We especially needed to replace the line that broke on the fortress anchor when we were at Sumter Recreation Area back on the river in Alabama. He also made a new snub line that we use to take some of the weight off the anchor chain when it is in use or to secure the anchor when it’s up on deck in the windlass.<br />
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The wind calmed for a short time on Sunday afternoon and we used that time to set a second anchor. We knew we would both sleep better with two anchors. It wasn’t long before the wind kicked up again but since it was early, we hoped that maybe it wouldn’t blow all night long.Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-68842780152623431152011-10-14T09:47:00.000-05:002011-10-14T09:47:16.813-05:00Friday, October 7, 2011 – Big Lagoon, ICW mile 177.0 near PensacolaIt was 6:45 am when we left Ingrams Bayou with a sunny sky and a northeast wind. The inland waterway was a little choppy and the wind increased from 6 knots to 19 knots over the 13-mile trip. By 10:00 am we had chosen our anchoring spot in Big Lagoon and settled ourselves in about 25 yards out from the beach. We were able to tuck in close enough to gain some protection from the wind and waves.<br />
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Perdido Key is one of our favorite beaches with the white sand and beautiful dunes. After taking care of a few chores on the boat, Gale threw a line in while Maureen put some lunch together. The lizard fish he pulled up wasn’t too appealing.<br />
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After lunch, we took the dinghy to shore and started walking. We could see two ships towing a large piece of heavy equipment into and through the inlet at Pensacola Pass. Neither of us knew what it was to be used for, but it was certainly impressive to watch it come in off the ocean and down the waterway. <br />
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We continued walking all the way to the inlet on the Gulf side of Perdido Key and then around the corner to the inside where there is a favorite anchorage at the old Ft. McRae site. We watched some fishermen pulling in huge redfish with every cast and when we quizzed them about it, they told us the fish had just come in and they were running like crazy! Enough said – we continued our walk with Gale thinking about getting back to <b><i>Blue Heron</i></b> to pick up his fishing pole and tackle. <br />
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We had walked at least two miles already and had to go back the way we came, so it was after 4 pm before Gale headed out to the pass to see if he could get in on some of the action. When he arrived, the redfish were still running and he had an exciting time of casting, hitting and reeling them in. In fact, he caught five redfish and one large flounder within an hour’s time. Since there is a possession limit of one on the redfish, he had to release four of them.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7x-K0Rj3NHZjwZFWT2hSl5EZJXMd20PQZupuEwVH60j2azDRC_zSoZlb1uZjs5I2o9pT7AbfZj-AYQUWUEjJNwaSL32e6A8zNEi18uXSKGDFQuHV9xKDLj8ZRaCEfR9xZ-iJRdjMgorA/s1600/P1190184.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7x-K0Rj3NHZjwZFWT2hSl5EZJXMd20PQZupuEwVH60j2azDRC_zSoZlb1uZjs5I2o9pT7AbfZj-AYQUWUEjJNwaSL32e6A8zNEi18uXSKGDFQuHV9xKDLj8ZRaCEfR9xZ-iJRdjMgorA/s320/P1190184.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> Our dinner of fresh flounder was delicious! We cleaned the redfish and froze those fillets for another day. One redfish was enough to feed at least four people.<br />
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Just before sunset, three small pleasure boats came zooming in towards us and pulled up to the beach. Soon there were three families with their kids unloading camping gear and getting set up. It wasn’t long before the tents were up and the campfire was going. The evening was lovely, there was a light breeze and the water was calm.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouk56ZK_yakskm21bnkKkR2BNwabbTlpzweXHYHIzOhExASkEMJsPfWBHHJEBH0tMiclPG2SOV5Kbhnv5B2Z7niFg3X6ZXNeRTWpv_el7jeEqzGK_DLOPmBSdHz2pxzbM_hrmrlD-MEc/s1600/P1190186.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgouk56ZK_yakskm21bnkKkR2BNwabbTlpzweXHYHIzOhExASkEMJsPfWBHHJEBH0tMiclPG2SOV5Kbhnv5B2Z7niFg3X6ZXNeRTWpv_el7jeEqzGK_DLOPmBSdHz2pxzbM_hrmrlD-MEc/s320/P1190186.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-19250521281492390322011-10-14T07:28:00.000-05:002011-10-14T07:28:49.255-05:00Wed, Oct 5 to Thurs, Oct 6, 2011 – Ingrams Bayou in Alabama – mile 164.0 ICWWe were out of the Bon Secour River anchorage by 9 am and clear of Mobile Bay shortly thereafter. Traveling east on the ICW, we enjoyed a sunny morning with temperatures in the mid to upper 70’s and a very light northerly breeze. Our destination was Ingrams Bayou, only 15 miles away, where we had stayed once before back in the fall of 2009. We knew <b><i>Dual Dreams</i></b> had anchored there last night and was staying at least another day. <br />
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When we were about three miles from Ingrams Bayou, we received an email from Harriet and Mike on <b><i>Dual Dreams </i></b>saying that they were splashing the dinghy and going to do a little exploring before they stopped at Pirate’s Cove Marina for some lunch. We agreed to meet them at the restaurant as soon as we secured the boat and could get over there in our dinghy.<br />
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We were both looking forward to sharing a juicy hamburger since we’d been eating so much fish lately. Mike and Harriet were already at the restaurant and in the middle of their own lunch when we arrived. The battery on Harriet’s iPhone had died right after they sent us the earlier email so they didn’t know we were on our way. We had a couple of drinks with them and ordered a hamburger that didn’t disappoint.<br />
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During the afternoon, we relaxed on <b><i>Blue Heron</i></b>; Gale threw in a line or two and we simply enjoyed the day. For our evening meal, we grilled up the trout that had been given to us by the fisherman at Bon Secour.<br />
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Thursday was more of the same; fishing, reading and relaxing. Mike and Harriet pulled out of Ingrams Bayou in the late morning and headed to the anchorage at Ft McRae near Pensacola while we remained for another night, sharing the second night at anchor there with three other sailboats that arrived in the late afternoon.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZIzscTPN7ypFrOm5cGm7f0Eo0icfSyse_4X3HV6W28BZ6yoaRxkefraA9aKedSVyGofBObYT3xII2bRQJkIOLkrzF0-nyPwa8NXeddD2FnO5gU7aiiVBKbHrA2tmlfVy3CI3BFa7RK0/s1600/P1190155.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-ZIzscTPN7ypFrOm5cGm7f0Eo0icfSyse_4X3HV6W28BZ6yoaRxkefraA9aKedSVyGofBObYT3xII2bRQJkIOLkrzF0-nyPwa8NXeddD2FnO5gU7aiiVBKbHrA2tmlfVy3CI3BFa7RK0/s400/P1190155.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-18705921292512278492011-10-09T13:51:00.005-05:002011-10-09T13:59:13.053-05:00Tuesday, October 4, 2011 - Bon Secour River in Mobile Bay, just off ICW at mile 150.5After doing our laundry and cleaning chores, we left the marina at 12:30 and headed out into Mobile Bay. It was the nicest crossing we’d ever experienced on this body of water with sunny skies, easy north breezes, temps in the high 70’s and a light chop on the water. Mobile Bay is large, but it is also very shallow so it is important to know where you are. If you choose to leave the channel and take a “shortcut,” you need to watch the depth closely and be alert. <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzm68vxOFJYhy3-mC3P7JCnD-nLjVMH0_F97gzsz0HJeSBkZzIx-21WkDrhcskywSzMet6-_lX-5oYtFW1zNoukhoaiKg0xOer8NBhzao3NiEk3-Pm6M1W3jfaw_Z9r68NgwNrodGNSQ/s1600/P1190069.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbzm68vxOFJYhy3-mC3P7JCnD-nLjVMH0_F97gzsz0HJeSBkZzIx-21WkDrhcskywSzMet6-_lX-5oYtFW1zNoukhoaiKg0xOer8NBhzao3NiEk3-Pm6M1W3jfaw_Z9r68NgwNrodGNSQ/s320/P1190069.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEysGH_PO0QQl9J-vxFvFgGXbP5xRQh6kDKkefjUWPEQb2Jfz7u-eaa3TNxQCdkTgDCj-dBuGeJEEFTF2fK6AU0x_7QdHtkOj9QA5_kHRC7f3d3wJ1YfL5RyXutmmp42YshJ5QLONdogE/s1600/P1190076.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEysGH_PO0QQl9J-vxFvFgGXbP5xRQh6kDKkefjUWPEQb2Jfz7u-eaa3TNxQCdkTgDCj-dBuGeJEEFTF2fK6AU0x_7QdHtkOj9QA5_kHRC7f3d3wJ1YfL5RyXutmmp42YshJ5QLONdogE/s320/P1190076.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
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It took a little over four hours to cross the bay from northwest to southeast and get to the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) channel at mile 150.5. There we entered the side channel which took us back north a half mile or so into the Bon Secour River where we anchored for the night at 5:30 pm. The spot we chose was also popular for the local fishermen as we were right on top of an oyster bed. <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzY4QfSRWmaS_fAylj_09wOZdIBr2scusCAyT5lBWAwgA0dFjupm7EpxTh2V1ANjwAdwfJr4e_Qg3LqEz5NvuzfBaGd1gKFx4TRZY0epozoWIxvdVoGUXCiawVNe6UKUGz6x8LcacjpUw/s1600/P1190080.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzY4QfSRWmaS_fAylj_09wOZdIBr2scusCAyT5lBWAwgA0dFjupm7EpxTh2V1ANjwAdwfJr4e_Qg3LqEz5NvuzfBaGd1gKFx4TRZY0epozoWIxvdVoGUXCiawVNe6UKUGz6x8LcacjpUw/s320/P1190080.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> As the last fisherman was leaving the vicinity, he stopped by and asked us if we were interested in any of his catch. He said we looked “indigent” and might enjoy some fresh fish for dinner. We heartily accepted his offer and he gave us several small white bass along with some bait shrimp for Gale to use later. Since we already had dinner going, Gale cleaned them up and stuck them in the refrigerator for tomorrow.<br />
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We felt like we were officially back in Florida (even though we weren’t quite yet) when we saw the dolphins feeding in our anchorage – a momma and a baby plus one loner.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLCtZkOVMDJR1UB295i5y_nrLNvTdKMxbsB9wu8lqsY-YTp0ZSqXrCUoBj9CsIrLv2UDWqfnfqY3xxNELOqQo3qgwp3mK2j6k6ZbOM8-GXNBNsGjK928b3Dxa79tiegUugy9kR9G5KWY/s1600/P1190095.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBLCtZkOVMDJR1UB295i5y_nrLNvTdKMxbsB9wu8lqsY-YTp0ZSqXrCUoBj9CsIrLv2UDWqfnfqY3xxNELOqQo3qgwp3mK2j6k6ZbOM8-GXNBNsGjK928b3Dxa79tiegUugy9kR9G5KWY/s160/P1190095.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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After a gorgeous sunset, we watched the shrimp boats head out for a night of fishing.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBEZdqnaYVvL0MPJ3JbKz49KmedMB6CrUIpY7bq7wmogLilhczSgLpniUcVDAO0Uz2uV0OWqHqL8FqKTkIf2lqAjwvqoNPpwxFsfz3157pqoRi8QfxTCpZTw1wLGNwnCJAJ52G0MjCR0/s1600/P1190123.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKBEZdqnaYVvL0MPJ3JbKz49KmedMB6CrUIpY7bq7wmogLilhczSgLpniUcVDAO0Uz2uV0OWqHqL8FqKTkIf2lqAjwvqoNPpwxFsfz3157pqoRi8QfxTCpZTw1wLGNwnCJAJ52G0MjCR0/s400/P1190123.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-15901552021293074912011-10-09T13:51:00.004-05:002011-10-09T13:58:59.719-05:00Monday, October 3, 2011 – Dog River Marina, Mobile, Alabama<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZ3cZpdtOSH5koEq1eroYZZIe0lDlBXG38rIGsga18Ixfgx44k90GMG4yjDG5YPcOgu2lKC2d_zqFlkR3GKYIeGrwzRYXV7J2e8FXZlhfRGzFjp0ROcxZoEjIDFITRsrWN9RchZAI0vc/s1600/P1190035.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWZ3cZpdtOSH5koEq1eroYZZIe0lDlBXG38rIGsga18Ixfgx44k90GMG4yjDG5YPcOgu2lKC2d_zqFlkR3GKYIeGrwzRYXV7J2e8FXZlhfRGzFjp0ROcxZoEjIDFITRsrWN9RchZAI0vc/s160/P1190035.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHcEJb3oN3CM7yYv5fXX-ZH7f5fWr4TkO5GOjCuMtUs41s6CnKZHFuMVmgGXa7TZkcOn1bmMMe4VIeZBn_giIUnCyVdvp6AW86yQ5gwotm6nnvFOuW7Sgr8861PL71uBR_m1Hqdrd6Dc/s1600/P1190038.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVHcEJb3oN3CM7yYv5fXX-ZH7f5fWr4TkO5GOjCuMtUs41s6CnKZHFuMVmgGXa7TZkcOn1bmMMe4VIeZBn_giIUnCyVdvp6AW86yQ5gwotm6nnvFOuW7Sgr8861PL71uBR_m1Hqdrd6Dc/s160/P1190038.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nck24k_zgbD0fh1uYA2mYc1ST0e-2Kd50zbxVSdgJDzjs9u-6zpxn9QgqhdV4z30Ty19kvRY1FWHmn3jOKKB2zEFuWZO5XyIQBVP88zLZb9SEcKiWIvmlFqHybVG7_R0ac7QX6RVBW0/s1600/P1190047.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_nck24k_zgbD0fh1uYA2mYc1ST0e-2Kd50zbxVSdgJDzjs9u-6zpxn9QgqhdV4z30Ty19kvRY1FWHmn3jOKKB2zEFuWZO5XyIQBVP88zLZb9SEcKiWIvmlFqHybVG7_R0ac7QX6RVBW0/s160/P1190047.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwel-KZNEiB-DIjX2rjtgyLHX2l2InIQcYXJh3JeMFTpXxwCyZaubw0GtBqQsd5iH_0UJSokjGPxl1IpWvVZ5w43Q366-5rNFonqBrPbIWuBQ5oa-_tTJgB5UnkqPUSeDsyXqAdGm4Y7Y/s1600/P1190056.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwel-KZNEiB-DIjX2rjtgyLHX2l2InIQcYXJh3JeMFTpXxwCyZaubw0GtBqQsd5iH_0UJSokjGPxl1IpWvVZ5w43Q366-5rNFonqBrPbIWuBQ5oa-_tTJgB5UnkqPUSeDsyXqAdGm4Y7Y/s160/P1190056.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
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We wanted to take full advantage of our time at the marina in Dog River so we were on our way at 7 am. <br />
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Coming into Mobile was a bit of a shock to the system seeing all the industry and all the “bustling about” after being so long on the river. The last real metro area for us would have been Chattanooga back in early August.<br />
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As we left the river and entered Mobile Bay, we began to see signs of being back in the saltwater; such as, seagulls and pelicans. We kept our eyes open for dolphin, but saw none.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kBSRLEIKu-GWV7umu3EH_4-4u7IV1GX6G7ieSWiSmu7UWav1NcDLHIQnPKSU5ZvFKffMRdsOkr5PSB0Ycklu6u4_oPjlr8MkeJrS4uTuZFSa64nPgAWoIhYp0ljEW7mCqA4JK-5uISY/s1600/P1190062.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_kBSRLEIKu-GWV7umu3EH_4-4u7IV1GX6G7ieSWiSmu7UWav1NcDLHIQnPKSU5ZvFKffMRdsOkr5PSB0Ycklu6u4_oPjlr8MkeJrS4uTuZFSa64nPgAWoIhYp0ljEW7mCqA4JK-5uISY/s400/P1190062.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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Just before noon, we were at Dog River Marina fueling up and securing ourselves in our slip. The marina was pretty quiet yet as the bulk of cruisers wouldn’t be coming down to the Gulf until November 1st. After a little lunch, we borrowed the courtesy car and went to Walmart for groceries. Back on the boat, we put our purchases away, gathered up a couple of drinks, lowered the dinghy and traveled the few hundred feet across the bay to Grand Mariner Marina where we met our friends, Bill and Dorothy, for happy hour. We first met Bill and Dorothy at Snook Bight Marina in Ft Myers Beach last winter. They keep their boat, <b><i>m/v Full Circle</i></b>, at the Grand Mariner Marina all summer.Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-91516961873668427732011-10-09T13:50:00.015-05:002011-10-09T14:06:00.296-05:00Wednesday, September 28, 2011 – Okatuppa Creek, mile 123.2 on the Tombigbee<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><strong><em>Can't figure out why this posting won't land chronogically where it's supposed to. Oh well, it's not that far out of order. </em></strong></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRCzGDNongmOz8u7IeeLS8EN1EqnGku5PawcR6IaDvq4Httdx51RotB8ZQ-cQemqKKbMpWg1bpeG0csEy0BBsww96cJMWFrnFYJDs9ceMge9rzUw3jaxYaB9zGdz42a9DX2BmDVu0Ew4/s1600/P1180660.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmRCzGDNongmOz8u7IeeLS8EN1EqnGku5PawcR6IaDvq4Httdx51RotB8ZQ-cQemqKKbMpWg1bpeG0csEy0BBsww96cJMWFrnFYJDs9ceMge9rzUw3jaxYaB9zGdz42a9DX2BmDVu0Ew4/s320/P1180660.JPG" style="clear: both; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a> Overnight, there was no cloud cover and the stars were brilliant in the night sky. Along with the stars, we could see a lightning show north of our location that went on nonstop for hours. About 4:30 am, the clouds and the lightning finally arrived along with a good rain. <br />
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It remained overcast all morning but we didn’t experience any more rain. About 10 am, Gale set out to find the bass. After 45 minutes, he was back with four nice sized bass. Of course, the one that got away, was the biggest bass he’d ever had on the line. <br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TMQ2eLZaas409EG-YaxR3TQ7bity-KIKxZAWyLROUmRwvdV5pRW6ZEKTwfxig-E29tzbXAvNZf7iCdbuzIwLCsgn-F21d3GNpE-RnJXuJrfCR4HXs3qjfhPlO5tumho9PZ9A4ojyunc/s1600/P1180664.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-TMQ2eLZaas409EG-YaxR3TQ7bity-KIKxZAWyLROUmRwvdV5pRW6ZEKTwfxig-E29tzbXAvNZf7iCdbuzIwLCsgn-F21d3GNpE-RnJXuJrfCR4HXs3qjfhPlO5tumho9PZ9A4ojyunc/s400/P1180664.JPG" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLDQktG5o_pjrKfdoWvrbiX_Oz6qAp_h0i7VdOEVxt4xVD7nv8tQnfRRaP15dYtX7hdmkh9Dff0BW-1yd8FHROTYjF8Pohlng_3gJIIkQuJkKgN4-4s9KYf77LnMXDKgmAI_RauTkvW4/s1600/P1180669.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwLDQktG5o_pjrKfdoWvrbiX_Oz6qAp_h0i7VdOEVxt4xVD7nv8tQnfRRaP15dYtX7hdmkh9Dff0BW-1yd8FHROTYjF8Pohlng_3gJIIkQuJkKgN4-4s9KYf77LnMXDKgmAI_RauTkvW4/s160/P1180669.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxz2NKNBwx-H4TJ2FTijbea-HH2PBG-mX9WcV3B0hnjOAVlIKLsk6eTxZILdY-PhsqcXmOu6FAEfh_XgjnCIRl57rMqaebTbAYJZTiVpHrpnp9Yy-3lvB3HUGE66w5zCzueRtodelzxRk/s1600/P1180673.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxz2NKNBwx-H4TJ2FTijbea-HH2PBG-mX9WcV3B0hnjOAVlIKLsk6eTxZILdY-PhsqcXmOu6FAEfh_XgjnCIRl57rMqaebTbAYJZTiVpHrpnp9Yy-3lvB3HUGE66w5zCzueRtodelzxRk/s160/P1180673.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsTKI_QFAWhujzia1uUjj4sEq8olP4EiDYtKDdRcr3PQ3zEinEPA2r6hBqxfAY-ZAmqtMcCz9a_YdWLFbogjKHzmyjKG_a3pNdbZN4nSg9trE2hPTozXvEVCctq1RqSoO62_y6-5jheE/s1600/P1180676.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZsTKI_QFAWhujzia1uUjj4sEq8olP4EiDYtKDdRcr3PQ3zEinEPA2r6hBqxfAY-ZAmqtMcCz9a_YdWLFbogjKHzmyjKG_a3pNdbZN4nSg9trE2hPTozXvEVCctq1RqSoO62_y6-5jheE/s160/P1180676.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a> During the afternoon the sun tried to peek out but it was soon overwhelmed by the cloud cover.<br />
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We enjoyed a nice sunset as Gale prepared another wonderful fresh fish feast for dinner.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieT15iXyenoc1rGLZEeXBBHrkvTbCMG18IeCD_sjIDiP3r-PuseHpvZzHjc2J_0ZmvIVlICnznl5dmQETXWjPqAnRmG5MQrNxSvJNSHP0jM8YMkbkkGVPD6pxXtwKblkk-xgO3bJnQzpw/s1600/P1180679.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEieT15iXyenoc1rGLZEeXBBHrkvTbCMG18IeCD_sjIDiP3r-PuseHpvZzHjc2J_0ZmvIVlICnznl5dmQETXWjPqAnRmG5MQrNxSvJNSHP0jM8YMkbkkGVPD6pxXtwKblkk-xgO3bJnQzpw/s320/P1180679.JPG" style="clear: both; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-39241886101858839722011-10-09T13:50:00.013-05:002011-10-09T13:58:40.468-05:00Sunday, October 2, 2011 – Tensas Cut Off, mile 12.2 on the Tombigbee / Mobile RiverWe left the anchorage at 8 am on a cool (53 degrees) but sunny morning. By mid afternoon, the temperature was 78 degrees and made for a lovely day of traveling. We sighted three large alligators during the trip, all of them sunning themselves along the banks of the river.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA-t3qKQCg61prUbE9CGh15EbXVI5shRQV68taJSl8SBm_7RzLBsXfQLH6G0NSTPPplhF1urmUE1TNPOO9TGPD_WpHAZtwLJHUMIdtOzK0GKBXah2SDtlasjrGdjM64Gy4lo1flVaj80/s1600/P1180968.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhHA-t3qKQCg61prUbE9CGh15EbXVI5shRQV68taJSl8SBm_7RzLBsXfQLH6G0NSTPPplhF1urmUE1TNPOO9TGPD_WpHAZtwLJHUMIdtOzK0GKBXah2SDtlasjrGdjM64Gy4lo1flVaj80/s400/P1180968.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9hzHpdy-LwW2BlonktFEaWZR7eJcb25Ev_TN7ZtqX5CjQt25XnJavh8sCucqGFO7w6atCsxb3uiZ7DBx98tjfL-_FgufII91XQPY4sxl7A2FNhX8XkM6KQ_w5nebJXeWSL9vDUf3ZsQ/s1600/P1180995.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjS9hzHpdy-LwW2BlonktFEaWZR7eJcb25Ev_TN7ZtqX5CjQt25XnJavh8sCucqGFO7w6atCsxb3uiZ7DBx98tjfL-_FgufII91XQPY4sxl7A2FNhX8XkM6KQ_w5nebJXeWSL9vDUf3ZsQ/s400/P1180995.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAFpZ8jJRyKcmGmpHrnWl2ItFy1qaMqyNXTAZtV57Wprzt17jfxjJ3LKvv0To6wD-p14B6q_jE_moK3JcmV6fJSfl8qoS6x9I3o7kFfA05ncMwxZRTh0b3Aa-y_6BBlXjUgHcyEmftzI/s1600/P1190021.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFAFpZ8jJRyKcmGmpHrnWl2ItFy1qaMqyNXTAZtV57Wprzt17jfxjJ3LKvv0To6wD-p14B6q_jE_moK3JcmV6fJSfl8qoS6x9I3o7kFfA05ncMwxZRTh0b3Aa-y_6BBlXjUgHcyEmftzI/s400/P1190021.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
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After sixty miles and nine hours, we were safely anchored up Big Briar Creek, a great hurricane hole off the Tensas River Cutoff at mile 12.2 of the Mobile River. We anchored near the railroad bridge, even though it wasn’t necessary to go in that far, but the train traffic was surprisingly quiet. In fact, it was a peaceful night on the hook.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmr4wmHywOTG9CfIVMYxUYxxrg7F-hUkEAGTGi-Z8Ue2twHuHXkRLK2y02RS115dLcI81mvMHOn2A7IieKgLd_hQRIiYkhr6jCv3t75Dxvupz_gfn1uEEb7SfMWAKcXDImq5KVzjdTzW0/s1600/P1180958.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmr4wmHywOTG9CfIVMYxUYxxrg7F-hUkEAGTGi-Z8Ue2twHuHXkRLK2y02RS115dLcI81mvMHOn2A7IieKgLd_hQRIiYkhr6jCv3t75Dxvupz_gfn1uEEb7SfMWAKcXDImq5KVzjdTzW0/s320/P1180958.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
Gale tried fishing for bass but didn’t come away with much. He talked to a couple of guys in a fishing boat who said they hadn’t been able to get the fish to bite all afternoon.Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-48372219280969943502011-10-09T13:50:00.012-05:002011-10-09T13:58:14.756-05:00Saturday, October 1, 2011 – Three Rivers Lake, mile 63.8 on the Tombigbee<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ReG_Uz0vQsxRs5mbc1lcAneMTHGBBMmqVsTL5gmLhU1KCZFU8sucvOpNteoZ-kP7LP0YTrQER-1oPUNwL_uD7-V-tUkbaKok5N2rPFIGXkIVxdXNw72T9IfSbiveP0T2rc8k4tWKzXc/s1600/P1180925.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8ReG_Uz0vQsxRs5mbc1lcAneMTHGBBMmqVsTL5gmLhU1KCZFU8sucvOpNteoZ-kP7LP0YTrQER-1oPUNwL_uD7-V-tUkbaKok5N2rPFIGXkIVxdXNw72T9IfSbiveP0T2rc8k4tWKzXc/s160/P1180925.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiq7-e8vtM4SdTDl5tW5f6N6TT4P_JECRbyAa9TjoAPNUFgCwYE5e98pRX1TARJorXYOPMFPmzrIuJUs40M41qIpx-DEzYQl11uslgqp3ZkP5nUZi2Z8DYvvfokwWkvE02BAjh95fgphI/s1600/P1180920.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiq7-e8vtM4SdTDl5tW5f6N6TT4P_JECRbyAa9TjoAPNUFgCwYE5e98pRX1TARJorXYOPMFPmzrIuJUs40M41qIpx-DEzYQl11uslgqp3ZkP5nUZi2Z8DYvvfokwWkvE02BAjh95fgphI/s160/P1180920.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPY7EvO8R4qbpNmSIfdgWdOPAm82DxGtgbdvcjlJTuNt8gR5kOeurW7nl5bC-N40c3hO8MOgDy8DvFSXou0c64S6ZIp5kBC7XlQy8eIMbRoTqVTkch9G2P6xkRy4hlO6qk_aziR4M5Qg/s1600/P1180923.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUPY7EvO8R4qbpNmSIfdgWdOPAm82DxGtgbdvcjlJTuNt8gR5kOeurW7nl5bC-N40c3hO8MOgDy8DvFSXou0c64S6ZIp5kBC7XlQy8eIMbRoTqVTkch9G2P6xkRy4hlO6qk_aziR4M5Qg/s160/P1180923.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> It was another beautiful sunny day with temperatures in the upper 70’s and very light breezes. Since there were so many bass boats zipping past us going back into the little lakes and sloughs, we guessed that there was a bass fishing tournament going on. After a couple of hours of fishing in the morning, Gale brought back about half dozen small bass which we cooked up for lunch. Nope – We’re not tired of the fresh fish yet!!<br />
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We talked to our friends on <b><i>Life’s 2 Short </i></b>and learned that another cruising friend, Dave, on the trawler <b><i>Moonstruck</i></b> lost his boat on the river the day before. He was meeting a northbound barge as he was southbound near the Tom Bevill Lock at Aliceville, Alabama. From what we understood, the vessels passed each other, <b><i>Moonstruck</i></b> turned into the wake (like we all do in tight spots) and the boat began to list to the side. There were four people on the fly bridge and the boat just slowly toppled over and turned completely upside down. Fortunately, they were towing the dinghy behind the boat and were able to cut that free to rescue themselves. Only the very bottom of the boat was visible after it sank. What a sad day for Dave.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMGlukHWDeh8YBjNlk-WlqNGbS3iYga65MGJ5kNifliT0HtcZoUYkz-qx9z8NAM_6FirvoUmTkAjY8yoGAKOEsne8dMn8mMN6fovBnFkBuBV8KNDQ_b38tbePyeA6zOxadDiQrI09dzw/s1600/Moonstruck.jpg'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMMGlukHWDeh8YBjNlk-WlqNGbS3iYga65MGJ5kNifliT0HtcZoUYkz-qx9z8NAM_6FirvoUmTkAjY8yoGAKOEsne8dMn8mMN6fovBnFkBuBV8KNDQ_b38tbePyeA6zOxadDiQrI09dzw/s400/Moonstruck.jpg' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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About 2:30 pm, the bass boats left en masse which supported our theory about a local bass tournament with a 3 pm weigh-in. Gale put his fishing poles away and took Maureen out for a dinghy ride where we toured the lake we were anchored in and explored the sandbar on the main river. <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdEXrPP6cE6ZCvvFKothE1hHjOqjxbHrqXNj6CNHHIpDWC4_kNgstBMygt-VFP-GK2nlP5eWaXlI8Dq2HleflaTICgNFK9mpqXTcwsmvE3njdjy7Tbl92wfKXxIrL8anYuAIN3elCGJ4/s1600/P1180927.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZdEXrPP6cE6ZCvvFKothE1hHjOqjxbHrqXNj6CNHHIpDWC4_kNgstBMygt-VFP-GK2nlP5eWaXlI8Dq2HleflaTICgNFK9mpqXTcwsmvE3njdjy7Tbl92wfKXxIrL8anYuAIN3elCGJ4/s320/P1180927.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaejgYqQDoNspnfV2mdDNFuF2QGHHxATerq6pQ2354eXMxgUMKMUibmiNPOpYPBiDkEerpXdNw1p88113tSUDJjTlsyucK1oYNDrnsOB3Ll61ekD1MI_FwmtKhvahylD7UbHML9bVKU0Q/s1600/P1180930.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaejgYqQDoNspnfV2mdDNFuF2QGHHxATerq6pQ2354eXMxgUMKMUibmiNPOpYPBiDkEerpXdNw1p88113tSUDJjTlsyucK1oYNDrnsOB3Ll61ekD1MI_FwmtKhvahylD7UbHML9bVKU0Q/s320/P1180930.JPG" style="clear: both; float: left; margin: 0px 10px 10px 0px;" /></a><br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDO4JeWCTXnCxowBkku8P3dVmeFQuWKd1sNZAZiZ6_xuFP38q9_X0R-jAGWGQl81v0wCAwBWWlaQxSWDWhfMCBBQrneeRYsFylT95FyHZshjp3m9TsAy3ikg6J7B9DnxLQDqcaTDl9gps/s1600/P1180931.JPG"><img alt="" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDO4JeWCTXnCxowBkku8P3dVmeFQuWKd1sNZAZiZ6_xuFP38q9_X0R-jAGWGQl81v0wCAwBWWlaQxSWDWhfMCBBQrneeRYsFylT95FyHZshjp3m9TsAy3ikg6J7B9DnxLQDqcaTDl9gps/s320/P1180931.JPG" style="clear: both; float: right; margin: 0px 0px 10px 10px;" /></a>Note the pictures of the tree that we had put a piece of duct tape on to mark the high water line when we anchored in the same spot back during the April/May flood. It looked to us to be about 15 feet above the current level of the lake. <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh968roDXeXYLpZxLm_CzT_3NxelBgJq1Nu6Tno12nB-OwVOucgx1nEhP1fcY7jS3Gc89AoVrSY_9kWosfPOu9ZUGF8mzcp_E2taQ2W6bQS-VWNgaeHKnFTUUUeAWXwwh_JHo7mYMaMOsM/s1600/P1180949.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh968roDXeXYLpZxLm_CzT_3NxelBgJq1Nu6Tno12nB-OwVOucgx1nEhP1fcY7jS3Gc89AoVrSY_9kWosfPOu9ZUGF8mzcp_E2taQ2W6bQS-VWNgaeHKnFTUUUeAWXwwh_JHo7mYMaMOsM/s400/P1180949.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8Wmlh1ocJKh7D-fzQAWQ_tG_Nh9zPZIiVnJA_H7IqXb_ZDWZlF3IwIrZK12T5bVK17bsS8EMLCAqJORPumicTQSo0uHUb5driOfG6hx2-q_VmVpyT3s5PNY6ELkzNwFCNzdDY2ioQzo/s1600/P1180943.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI8Wmlh1ocJKh7D-fzQAWQ_tG_Nh9zPZIiVnJA_H7IqXb_ZDWZlF3IwIrZK12T5bVK17bsS8EMLCAqJORPumicTQSo0uHUb5driOfG6hx2-q_VmVpyT3s5PNY6ELkzNwFCNzdDY2ioQzo/s320/P1180943.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhcgIqolLoNeFOLGbfRD-TdPHvfJQLI68YOOaefln88UyW0UODw8XG-aj7tHBKZ7BCefP0HZY1r0G0clxYHQrSFaEoIRvtFHAc_HmcpXBtpTXGDunpOAjnXxGw1RaB6XsSSSueHxN8hA/s1600/P1180947.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjhcgIqolLoNeFOLGbfRD-TdPHvfJQLI68YOOaefln88UyW0UODw8XG-aj7tHBKZ7BCefP0HZY1r0G0clxYHQrSFaEoIRvtFHAc_HmcpXBtpTXGDunpOAjnXxGw1RaB6XsSSSueHxN8hA/s320/P1180947.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> On the sandbar, we found a few artifacts of old steamships – the iron bolts used to secure the wooden planks, old screws, etc. We also saw where an alligator had come up on the beach, gone back into the shade of the trees and then left along the same path. Glad we didn’t meet up with him in person!<br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLUupmic5bV_c1Mp3dU1bBPshXF0jpQk2_a3kFH_Xh-WANoF9H8SetKWECwkiNZChkIR3dg3cQf3lVSwArrKN6vh5hOubnrcbbFocO2-GxnhKGw9rLc1tByiTeOh6vMq2UHZ3WIMvpcU/s1600/P1180932.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiLUupmic5bV_c1Mp3dU1bBPshXF0jpQk2_a3kFH_Xh-WANoF9H8SetKWECwkiNZChkIR3dg3cQf3lVSwArrKN6vh5hOubnrcbbFocO2-GxnhKGw9rLc1tByiTeOh6vMq2UHZ3WIMvpcU/s160/P1180932.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMx2wwJijiJfXRjHyG5PB6sd2WPUWWJXlE5hS3EaFP5jqxSkTn1psbdqpal26Wdy31ydqZn3xGTnWs2-qZ2n59Y4SvV_iJBmCGG6WeqoWkfzBxNw9ZLqa94lF5DLuSdT60ojsyHFzANDA/s1600/P1180937.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMx2wwJijiJfXRjHyG5PB6sd2WPUWWJXlE5hS3EaFP5jqxSkTn1psbdqpal26Wdy31ydqZn3xGTnWs2-qZ2n59Y4SvV_iJBmCGG6WeqoWkfzBxNw9ZLqa94lF5DLuSdT60ojsyHFzANDA/s160/P1180937.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
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While walking along the sandbar, we noticed <b><i>m/v Dual Dreams </i></b>with our friends Mike and Harriet coming around the bend in the river. We shared the anchorage for the night and enjoyed happy hour together on their boat. As the sun went down, we returned to <b><i>Blue Heron </i></b>for another wonderful meal of fresh fish and potatoes.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDO3B9xrGqAByzXdfb9W_pZmfrcg1ydcR-PTBvhXSoJ4LndFlqObCjvr37QqeygYse8IHsGBXYp3IpMEjK2lerc0pPOGJRSQ4XRavjmpK1Jz3XbTUexIURt4e-SrUnHMgjN8WNWCQIkbQ/s1600/P1180955.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDO3B9xrGqAByzXdfb9W_pZmfrcg1ydcR-PTBvhXSoJ4LndFlqObCjvr37QqeygYse8IHsGBXYp3IpMEjK2lerc0pPOGJRSQ4XRavjmpK1Jz3XbTUexIURt4e-SrUnHMgjN8WNWCQIkbQ/s320/P1180955.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-26042898409648012852011-10-09T13:50:00.011-05:002011-10-09T13:57:38.119-05:00Friday, September 30, 2011 – Three Rivers Lake, mile 63.8 on the Tombigbee<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ol80ZtIT-ZiMKObV6e2KRH-W5hTbLnYTG5ubRqBeluyo92AgQcq9qh54iU1mSzsx7vOVWXyNYqtFXpGW86lqbjvvPu19dDgRKHPOhAdIHFsmSjfoo-FcoGGU9BvTnik_HHJ6psAZUoE/s1600/P1180790.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Ol80ZtIT-ZiMKObV6e2KRH-W5hTbLnYTG5ubRqBeluyo92AgQcq9qh54iU1mSzsx7vOVWXyNYqtFXpGW86lqbjvvPu19dDgRKHPOhAdIHFsmSjfoo-FcoGGU9BvTnik_HHJ6psAZUoE/s160/P1180790.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4rGsAoqNASBhj0AZrSLJL3lQtXB9nn8iTLfXtMOfiOZn9zRFKHZCastTkNv3mPXucL3rwvAuK-5DxLW14u7L8B2tLoHCl96hluBC57-qbn0GrTEjWdRt2Ut-dpMpXEbe9ydLz6JuuoE/s1600/P1180797.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEga4rGsAoqNASBhj0AZrSLJL3lQtXB9nn8iTLfXtMOfiOZn9zRFKHZCastTkNv3mPXucL3rwvAuK-5DxLW14u7L8B2tLoHCl96hluBC57-qbn0GrTEjWdRt2Ut-dpMpXEbe9ydLz6JuuoE/s160/P1180797.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSLR-oFK42cUEVAa0nHPpTq9D0-eBLhm719r3vOF8mtiYLCRYg6MmM7D1H1nCSiB4uEWNrY6RXF6C0ZEVESPhKx-QefdKodD-0TPrZW1swY7j7I6FJz3z_XuehJDAbPNPTvwjkhl250U/s1600/P1180786.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKSLR-oFK42cUEVAa0nHPpTq9D0-eBLhm719r3vOF8mtiYLCRYg6MmM7D1H1nCSiB4uEWNrY6RXF6C0ZEVESPhKx-QefdKodD-0TPrZW1swY7j7I6FJz3z_XuehJDAbPNPTvwjkhl250U/s160/P1180786.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDGlm7NFunlPnwxPx96ofKwscQ2i86eGqdGCmSHfR7tvCQ9hInCv75qetO3pAE3aFT2I2Mg7AOk5-bn-k5beythji-qSvuecuM_58ucwIz9AG9v_jsF6tRScgx-3Xtu57Cecuvwmvuvg/s1600/P1180833.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipDGlm7NFunlPnwxPx96ofKwscQ2i86eGqdGCmSHfR7tvCQ9hInCv75qetO3pAE3aFT2I2Mg7AOk5-bn-k5beythji-qSvuecuM_58ucwIz9AG9v_jsF6tRScgx-3Xtu57Cecuvwmvuvg/s320/P1180833.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UAJxgcsfHgdsIp8U6Ws4aoreJ37aWJCc27dlKILkl4cNLcyykEB5bC06nxG3iZhRjix4BPIWPJQd6ILm3Ee2tF1KHy9Z6Fus5-32OnTqMEZfRBnj10gqr95OvKEIpFHXQ6s8nUDazwA/s1600/P1180832.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-UAJxgcsfHgdsIp8U6Ws4aoreJ37aWJCc27dlKILkl4cNLcyykEB5bC06nxG3iZhRjix4BPIWPJQd6ILm3Ee2tF1KHy9Z6Fus5-32OnTqMEZfRBnj10gqr95OvKEIpFHXQ6s8nUDazwA/s320/P1180832.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqI1b4OEtgW1ne5-LZFmqjXnNlOqM5ZB614qpfn-n4orT5SAzZoonNbTRnUdc3il41p1EVel9Uk2oBWHLHufh7YxuMRSxHWQxVVJdm7oME1kTJD7JOu7PmjTEyOj65ZKCjI-HIXMqFahc/s1600/P1180839.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqI1b4OEtgW1ne5-LZFmqjXnNlOqM5ZB614qpfn-n4orT5SAzZoonNbTRnUdc3il41p1EVel9Uk2oBWHLHufh7YxuMRSxHWQxVVJdm7oME1kTJD7JOu7PmjTEyOj65ZKCjI-HIXMqFahc/s320/P1180839.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> After breakfast we took the dinghy through the old lock and talked about what it must have been like bringing the paddle wheelers up and down the river a hundred years ago. Lock One is one of the older federal navigation projects in the United States. Congress authorized improvements to the Black Warrior – Tombigbee River System and 17 locks were constructed, each numbered consecutively, south to north. Work began on Lock One in 1893 and ended in 1909. Lock operations continued until November 1960 when a new channel bypassed it, cutting off four miles of river traffic. The lock upriver at Coffeeville replaced Lock One. <br />
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After snapping a few pictures, we beached the boat at the ramp and walked up the incline to explore the park. Here we met Don Johnson, the park host, who hails from North Dakota. He had been traveling in his converted camper van for the last eight years and was invited to be the campground host for the winter. He’d just arrived six weeks ago after spending several weeks hiking the Appalachian Trail. Don has done lots of adventuresome things over the years including canoeing down the Missouri and Mississippi Rivers from Bismark, ND to New Orleans, LA and on another trip traveling up the Hudson River into Canada, again beginning his journey in North Dakota. <br />
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At 10 am, we brought up the hook and left the anchorage on our way to Three Rivers Lake. We had spent several days at Three Rivers in late April / early May when the devastating tornadoes ripped through Tuscaloosa, Alabama and vicinity. <br />
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It was a great traveling day with sunny skies, a nice breeze from the north and temperatures from 75 to 85 degrees over the course of our trip. There were no alligator sightings even though we were always on the lookout. The traffic from the commercial barges and the big cruisers so anxious to go south seemed to have resolved itself now that a few days had passed since the locks further north opened up. We did not meet a single barge going north on Friday and the only cruiser that passed us was the trawler, <b><i>Tropical Breeze</i></b>, home port Cape Coral, Florida. Captain Gale and the captain of <b><i>Tropical Breeze </i></b>visited quite a while on the marine radio about traveling the loop and getting back to Florida.<br />
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We noted the water level was, of course, much lower than it had been when we’d come through in May during the spring flooding. When we arrived at Three Rivers around 4 pm, we discovered a few sandbars that had not been visible on our previous visit. We found a great place to anchor but not without going in just a bit too far and stirring up the mud in a very shallow area.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKMfemiLYYcNFXJuWoob5YF6XNubqV4rEuUudkGXYZc5meJgPJWyra-e7S_2e3h7QJV-XpkmbB6_vc_uXcZ3M_HeP9ObirbmxRKTRFd1JSxS55y0veK-hEBbE5mAki-3bTII_xbkQYRs/s1600/P1180899.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjFKMfemiLYYcNFXJuWoob5YF6XNubqV4rEuUudkGXYZc5meJgPJWyra-e7S_2e3h7QJV-XpkmbB6_vc_uXcZ3M_HeP9ObirbmxRKTRFd1JSxS55y0veK-hEBbE5mAki-3bTII_xbkQYRs/s320/P1180899.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeneVIcbJkdVPsZ-iqYxYYmAsD-XKqozxvc1l0l_wud-7s2aTXGS5xOEWQFLsPFt0sG_UcHB4e1K9WemTp1a4dfd8iPKhotjud0YA7Lf-jmpA5spbGg-QlIZSCouJIzCjyAlS0h0SmQ08/s1600/P1180908.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeneVIcbJkdVPsZ-iqYxYYmAsD-XKqozxvc1l0l_wud-7s2aTXGS5xOEWQFLsPFt0sG_UcHB4e1K9WemTp1a4dfd8iPKhotjud0YA7Lf-jmpA5spbGg-QlIZSCouJIzCjyAlS0h0SmQ08/s320/P1180908.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> Gale was anxious to find out if he could still catch bass after coming through the last lock. He wasn’t sure if the possible brackishness of the water and the minor tide would make any difference. Within minutes of lowering the dinghy and finding a fishing spot, he had his biggest “boated” bass on the line. Another one, just as big, shook off the hook. He encountered two more night herons in the channel and went back to get Maureen to show her the birds. There was an immature black crowned night heron on a branch on one side of the narrow channel and an adult on the other side. We thought they might have been related. <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokmB0FXyyjAuuauOqsDvbVsNZAlI_LhGR_yzLjrwDHEp53iYKxamxpWzwcVp8w044SYlX2gUZU5_ewq9N4WSDsIfXSRDsWSk9aCKtro4ZzseOAvcsHdO02iaqhU6oRctwM8ClVyRvfzA/s1600/P1180918.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiokmB0FXyyjAuuauOqsDvbVsNZAlI_LhGR_yzLjrwDHEp53iYKxamxpWzwcVp8w044SYlX2gUZU5_ewq9N4WSDsIfXSRDsWSk9aCKtro4ZzseOAvcsHdO02iaqhU6oRctwM8ClVyRvfzA/s400/P1180918.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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The evening was cool with a good northerly breeze and the temperature dipped down into the upper 40’s overnight – perfect cuddling weather.Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-13573980868009582382011-10-09T13:50:00.010-05:002011-10-09T13:57:21.052-05:00Thursday, September 29, 2011 – Old Lock One, mile 100.0 on the Tombigbee<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhID4yw6fP2mDTIQNEKbWwoRaKhpU_wCqpWaXvINTEqqntOkZEDcKJUtUuxKlSWWE5VzplprV05DdUN-lxaFM-my7SHT48Q0IRSvfhwnE7fnZQjfeDy3xiCcPZJ4E5224pjbbgIyncJWc0/s1600/P1180683.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhID4yw6fP2mDTIQNEKbWwoRaKhpU_wCqpWaXvINTEqqntOkZEDcKJUtUuxKlSWWE5VzplprV05DdUN-lxaFM-my7SHT48Q0IRSvfhwnE7fnZQjfeDy3xiCcPZJ4E5224pjbbgIyncJWc0/s320/P1180683.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGABp_twluJRhgEElF9IA_jc9Wdz4oVx6G1ObfR2NDft6CDViAYlxFhgCA_qSEaZm2reHnzpodRyeo07CjgiI_RB3LJxlOEg53wnTmTU3sesqKepfvet55_tCIctMHqUAFRwq7WYPB3U/s1600/P1180754.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGABp_twluJRhgEElF9IA_jc9Wdz4oVx6G1ObfR2NDft6CDViAYlxFhgCA_qSEaZm2reHnzpodRyeo07CjgiI_RB3LJxlOEg53wnTmTU3sesqKepfvet55_tCIctMHqUAFRwq7WYPB3U/s160/P1180754.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
By 7:30 am Gale was in the dinghy and out looking for the big fish that got away the day before. Two hours later, he was home with one large bass and several smaller ones. <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDYO0niSnDGHylIvfW44u6XpGfZ7ihvqRQYTbLbAwr_yKf5UlvL80o4f5n757B-D0LdmrK0BrLCVvOy1EWfSL7w6HRa6mX0bWVWNHiq3Xf_vUtSnI_d4O-1kpiZHPKZH0Gya26pq9nRI/s1600/P1180695.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjDYO0niSnDGHylIvfW44u6XpGfZ7ihvqRQYTbLbAwr_yKf5UlvL80o4f5n757B-D0LdmrK0BrLCVvOy1EWfSL7w6HRa6mX0bWVWNHiq3Xf_vUtSnI_d4O-1kpiZHPKZH0Gya26pq9nRI/s320/P1180695.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
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While he was out, he made friends with an immature black crowned night heron that did not seem to have any fear of him. When a Great Blue Heron tried to fish nearby, however, the night heron puffed himself up, squawked loudly and the blue heron flew off to find another spot.<br />
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Maureen joined Gale in the dinghy and went back to where he had been fishing earlier to take some pictures and try to catch another fish. While there, we noticed an alligator swimming across the little lake a few hundred feet away.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgm7Pdd6F1etCVxmaBOlVneuRI-4aElB4AU3F8qMGdSe_MXpB8MP4hZkhlGJrYmpbPh39gRE0h8GArLEo6_qhpt1TNmgE2Wbo5_3j7aUaqQuudHrmalR1n9TznDvA8jZ680yJRfNi_bGw/s1600/P1180749.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgm7Pdd6F1etCVxmaBOlVneuRI-4aElB4AU3F8qMGdSe_MXpB8MP4hZkhlGJrYmpbPh39gRE0h8GArLEo6_qhpt1TNmgE2Wbo5_3j7aUaqQuudHrmalR1n9TznDvA8jZ680yJRfNi_bGw/s320/P1180749.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
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Back on the big boat we cleaned the fish, had some lunch, took care of some insurance business and called marinas in Tampa for information. Shortly after 1 pm we picked up the anchor and left Okatuppa with a destination in mind at mile 100.0 called Old Lock One. We had never stayed in this spot but had talked to other cruisers who had said it was a good place to drop the hook.<br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuE47xryPVvoRtVg2nKqej1ZxL24xvs1AT_3RkwfaL2_y8iLZkYaNiM7Khxf6EcqwVSSD1bFXk540W7emFRyYsZX4gMFc8Hx_nnrsFOz0q5ZjbzGFvgiIx-M9i_1Qy3XA5rwhd1SHhzc/s1600/P1180765.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjkuE47xryPVvoRtVg2nKqej1ZxL24xvs1AT_3RkwfaL2_y8iLZkYaNiM7Khxf6EcqwVSSD1bFXk540W7emFRyYsZX4gMFc8Hx_nnrsFOz0q5ZjbzGFvgiIx-M9i_1Qy3XA5rwhd1SHhzc/s160/P1180765.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSrCRoUkUYyU-P1nl5KCLhklSgVRVkPaVGGhIqdcaJLm9XZDHBiMhyBplY1grZS7wWjrLdR7LR0jq5X76jAhhXA7vqaZ9W3eJtP2FmrVKAeYOt-5fI6Zp4eWIWmUtOQ55w1h75dW6yT8/s1600/P1180766.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWSrCRoUkUYyU-P1nl5KCLhklSgVRVkPaVGGhIqdcaJLm9XZDHBiMhyBplY1grZS7wWjrLdR7LR0jq5X76jAhhXA7vqaZ9W3eJtP2FmrVKAeYOt-5fI6Zp4eWIWmUtOQ55w1h75dW6yT8/s160/P1180766.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
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At 2 pm, we stopped at Bobby’s Fish Camp to top off our fresh water tanks and enjoy a frosty mug of ice cold beer. There was no waiting at Coffeeville Lock, our last lock on the river, so we kept on going and cleared the lock at 3:15 pm. <br />
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At 4:45 pm, near mile 107 on the right declining bank, we sighted the biggest alligator we’d seen yet – it looked like it might be 12 feet long. He was a granddaddy but camera shy and was quick to slide into the water before we could get the lens focused.<br />
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We anchored at Old Lock One at 6 pm just past the public boat ramp but out of the way of the small fishing boats that might want to go through the lock chamber. It was a lovely setting for a lovely evening.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKBCekg4sAXkeh3bN6j7YCLuSOEq6ncpOR628rxZXcJqYUeiJW0CnGycXat1lyfayT9qW_Nqrl1nv2A1wsw0eZ6X4XI6cx2uzNbXOmwE-k-FU_h-tnKLhMUFGoojw4Fm1JJe8J1s4nAE/s1600/P1180774.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiKBCekg4sAXkeh3bN6j7YCLuSOEq6ncpOR628rxZXcJqYUeiJW0CnGycXat1lyfayT9qW_Nqrl1nv2A1wsw0eZ6X4XI6cx2uzNbXOmwE-k-FU_h-tnKLhMUFGoojw4Fm1JJe8J1s4nAE/s320/P1180774.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-47801610835161027862011-09-28T10:31:00.000-05:002011-09-28T10:31:05.785-05:00Tuesday, September 27, 2011 - Okatuppa Creek, mile 123.2 on the Tenn-Tom<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkMP611Lu-8ySgYlo8h0U3s4ne2hecyiLVSWYogHViu9ufKz7l965rHXY7gY1pPuVzCzaKlbMOvAyUaIZplb4st_UDRpSaGHAOX62Z3HNQkijy_h_YpRWxv9ZzY_TVY79UHagVpY41SM/s1600/P1180518.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIkMP611Lu-8ySgYlo8h0U3s4ne2hecyiLVSWYogHViu9ufKz7l965rHXY7gY1pPuVzCzaKlbMOvAyUaIZplb4st_UDRpSaGHAOX62Z3HNQkijy_h_YpRWxv9ZzY_TVY79UHagVpY41SM/s320/P1180518.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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We arose at 6:30 am to a foggy morning. There were thunderstorm warnings in the area and we could tell that places a little north and west of us were getting some rain. Along about 8 am, we felt the front come through from the north and experienced a few sprinkles. About an hour later, we had our own thunderstorm with heavy rain and a little lightning and thunder. By 10 am, the rain quit and the sky was beginning to brighten so we hauled in the anchor, washed off the mud and set out. The spider web picture was taken just as we got underway.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVVN48Yq2Ugaj7tP7O0z6qixzhpYiw8z8D-_A2pLDF6-0Mv6dGkcHWTXZEKGF8XtlXKkaFtrgdQD2TIj-avyn_pN0THNhS1qFxIusuia5z44MkxlMg4HOJ7tFDnLRJzYP5LoQ9Uq1F9M/s1600/P1180628.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmVVN48Yq2Ugaj7tP7O0z6qixzhpYiw8z8D-_A2pLDF6-0Mv6dGkcHWTXZEKGF8XtlXKkaFtrgdQD2TIj-avyn_pN0THNhS1qFxIusuia5z44MkxlMg4HOJ7tFDnLRJzYP5LoQ9Uq1F9M/s320/P1180628.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
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The barge traffic going north was very heavy again. The first one came by as we were enjoying our morning cup of coffee, the second as we were leaving the anchoring spot and the third just a few minutes later. In the afternoon, there were three more northbound tows before we anchored. In addition to the working barges, we were passed by no less than eight southbound cruising trawlers all in a hurry to get off the river. We thought that they were probably trying to make Bobby’s Fish Camp, mile 118.9, before dinner time. It would have been fun to see all of those big boats rafted up to the little dock at Bobby’s which can only accommodate two cruisers.<br />
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Our initial plan was to anchor at mile 134.7, Whites Bluff, where Todd and Brenda of <b><i>m/v Life’s 2 Short </i></b>said we could find a nice sand beach. Indeed, it was nice – and that was where we saw two alligators. The one in the picture below wasn’t the least bit afraid of us and stayed put the entire time we were there checking out the anchorage.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyinVGn5_R0NtFOx_8l2oF9D6ec2k8CnTAfpaoODXFhos50pahIT4ABKlpUVARAl5qJ6LLCVE9koAORTL2op8MX7xrSYkU3Jd26QndYt8wBQVBzXmHEKNSoFJ_pSFa3IVIZDmjTMLZkE/s1600/P1180601.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvyinVGn5_R0NtFOx_8l2oF9D6ec2k8CnTAfpaoODXFhos50pahIT4ABKlpUVARAl5qJ6LLCVE9koAORTL2op8MX7xrSYkU3Jd26QndYt8wBQVBzXmHEKNSoFJ_pSFa3IVIZDmjTMLZkE/s320/P1180601.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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Since it was only 3:30 pm when we were at White Cliffs taking pictures, we decided to go the extra 20-plus miles to Okatuppa Creek and stay in a bit more protected spot. Gale thought the fishing might be better there, too. At 5:10 pm, we were in the entrance of the creek with our bow anchor set. We lowered the dinghy and the Captain also took out and set a stern anchor to keep us out of the trees if the wind came up.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmvp1L0AH2N-kutxVb7I27L9FdbYDScvTovP0A98kh9rEdU0XlsK-cvzOp61GKtZjWc2Xdm9VhZMbItSj2ifjaQa7xK2hmFMuuRsD3z51DRedWJRkg9yvitjNfvr_I-pyKiJTLYp1F6o/s1600/P1180619.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXmvp1L0AH2N-kutxVb7I27L9FdbYDScvTovP0A98kh9rEdU0XlsK-cvzOp61GKtZjWc2Xdm9VhZMbItSj2ifjaQa7xK2hmFMuuRsD3z51DRedWJRkg9yvitjNfvr_I-pyKiJTLYp1F6o/s320/P1180619.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
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As soon as the anchoring task was complete, Gale went fishing for dinner. Within moments, he was back with one fish and invited Maureen to go for a ride up the creek before the sun set. It was a beautiful place with many little lakes off the main creek. We were pretty sure we could take <b><i>Blue Heron</i></b> way into Okatuppa and anchor in one of these lakes, however, since we were getting a nice 3G signal at the entrance to the creek, we decided to leave the big boat where she was and use the dinghy to get into the backwaters.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj3xTVT_iD-1Vsrfx3KxnWqJKciyv-hmgCD9srOtqB38Xuc4dExLyCTntuBTgHYcjv6-k9oGFeLRBVvJft1O8GZMnqS6JGqbmCqnzsijm27v4dlMciSLASnBUlLOukfTrhFxGWH1iOss/s1600/P1180631.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioj3xTVT_iD-1Vsrfx3KxnWqJKciyv-hmgCD9srOtqB38Xuc4dExLyCTntuBTgHYcjv6-k9oGFeLRBVvJft1O8GZMnqS6JGqbmCqnzsijm27v4dlMciSLASnBUlLOukfTrhFxGWH1iOss/s320/P1180631.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
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The mosquitoes were beginning to come out in force as the sun was going down, so we zoomed back to <b><i>Blue Heron </i></b>and brought the dinghy up. Gale made a cast from the stern and brought in another bass for our supper.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8beuUkenH-a7EGkJHZG_ww1qfxzFp7t0gY5Wup89vNDa1dcNXFNNtvTL660446LlmF6GohFEQ0CbyMyaltxgNRihjvLrGNxRmNFHO2cs6a60t1ILvDC4vYifk5ESfIsQuZQwdP9hf1M/s1600/P1180630.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV8beuUkenH-a7EGkJHZG_ww1qfxzFp7t0gY5Wup89vNDa1dcNXFNNtvTL660446LlmF6GohFEQ0CbyMyaltxgNRihjvLrGNxRmNFHO2cs6a60t1ILvDC4vYifk5ESfIsQuZQwdP9hf1M/s320/P1180630.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-32245840262534041452011-09-27T11:21:00.000-05:002011-09-27T11:21:09.645-05:00Monday, September 26, 2011 – Baron’s Landing, mile 168.6 on the Tenn-Tom<b><i>NOTE: Be sure to double click on the photos for a better look. Especially the picture of the alligator sunning on the bank!<br />
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We were up at 5:30 am and anxious to get moving. Gale checked with the guard about 5:45 am to see if he could borrow the courtesy car for a run to the grocery store, but it was already out! The folks who’d come in last evening on four cigarette boats and sport fishers had taken the vehicle to pick up breakfast at McDonalds. These boats had come down from Pickwick Lake yesterday morning and were headed for the Keys. <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoiBCrthabRInqklBV4lBVFLzGdYzmJ-hV-qgVZ9JE5U-TTvjd93haiILvyI6c77ycabuy1G_F4kjc0cIaXvusotCbs7b5ePVtO0c8ut6NpiKOP9yy_XFQWoOcVpZCLh776xXLs7sQA4/s1600/P1180490.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfoiBCrthabRInqklBV4lBVFLzGdYzmJ-hV-qgVZ9JE5U-TTvjd93haiILvyI6c77ycabuy1G_F4kjc0cIaXvusotCbs7b5ePVtO0c8ut6NpiKOP9yy_XFQWoOcVpZCLh776xXLs7sQA4/s320/P1180490.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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It wasn’t long before the car was back and Gale made the trip to town to pick up the case of beer and few bottles of wine we couldn’t buy yesterday. As we were getting things ready for our cruise, we heard the pleasure boats conversing on the VHF radio in the lock. They mentioned that the lockmaster had said there were eight barges between Demopolis and Coffeeville (a 100-mile stretch between the locks) all coming north. We didn’t want to get held up waiting for barges all day, so at 7:30 am after confirming with the Demopolis lockmaster that it looked clear for now, we left our slip. The lock gates were open and waiting for us and we were locked through by 8:30 am. As we exited the lock, the lockmaster urged us to be very careful and alert for all the barges on the river.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05O6_ggtV68zNJLlfveSbxdKCoJhP0Tm3Gz46DjHqa-x5O_Kb2tksZY_CuEXMzwiL7wtvrqCM5FWqJ5_tt3TE2JBnfqMmg1wnVcBK5FOOpcmpwp_p5ss6f4W_EPXcB4lXUGBqBG3FR1o/s1600/P1180495.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg05O6_ggtV68zNJLlfveSbxdKCoJhP0Tm3Gz46DjHqa-x5O_Kb2tksZY_CuEXMzwiL7wtvrqCM5FWqJ5_tt3TE2JBnfqMmg1wnVcBK5FOOpcmpwp_p5ss6f4W_EPXcB4lXUGBqBG3FR1o/s160/P1180495.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hQfqdBeLOhxeavG1TWCG5XFLCWq0Al1-dbv5jyXyxDK9UT83mZ_CYZ2K3ewBD_nvI_PfGp_nWCesp_aCPB4yp9QuTaOT3wnJMZZ3uf4QMlBJoDmEKTFfchXHdefoEFyLgqVvzxkxSEk/s1600/P1180498.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8hQfqdBeLOhxeavG1TWCG5XFLCWq0Al1-dbv5jyXyxDK9UT83mZ_CYZ2K3ewBD_nvI_PfGp_nWCesp_aCPB4yp9QuTaOT3wnJMZZ3uf4QMlBJoDmEKTFfchXHdefoEFyLgqVvzxkxSEk/s160/P1180498.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxg7_bnJpITzUNVCTrKlcZMT_mJoOjF_0Jukhx5p5SvMKjPvUc5GgAKS2_UNbU7frskGIn1870z0ZXNTqZxKNv_Hz8rgUxIEDaL2s2wQY4soiTsrBalEqhPhkVJqdhADn7bbNlsr_YfS8/s1600/P1180501.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxg7_bnJpITzUNVCTrKlcZMT_mJoOjF_0Jukhx5p5SvMKjPvUc5GgAKS2_UNbU7frskGIn1870z0ZXNTqZxKNv_Hz8rgUxIEDaL2s2wQY4soiTsrBalEqhPhkVJqdhADn7bbNlsr_YfS8/s160/P1180501.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGd_GYvneM9ZttKCW9Ku449ZF7OhUt8_QEVGVJmOiX2Zm8hwUl1oKbR8G5Bp9XeTooXbwDqrkKjlakcP7YRS_K2gU6z54TULmQK51n5tMucnIa9Yn_lt5yaIHEMlL8EeLldQrcxI_fvDw/s1600/P1180504.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhGd_GYvneM9ZttKCW9Ku449ZF7OhUt8_QEVGVJmOiX2Zm8hwUl1oKbR8G5Bp9XeTooXbwDqrkKjlakcP7YRS_K2gU6z54TULmQK51n5tMucnIa9Yn_lt5yaIHEMlL8EeLldQrcxI_fvDw/s160/P1180504.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> It was interesting to see the rapids and the cliffs that were all underwater when we came up the river in late April / early May. There was a lot of erosion and it was very easy to see the high water mark several feet up the cliffs. As we cruised downriver, we saw large sand beaches that were nowhere in sight during our spring travels.<br />
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The northbound barge traffic did turn out to be very heavy. We assumed this was due to the two locks that had been closed for 2-1/2 weeks north of us and had just reopened the day before. Five tows passed us as we were underway – all going north.<br />
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Around noon or so, we came to mile 187.5, Chickasaw Bogue. When we stopped there the first time in October 2009, we found a nice little cove just off the river with a large clean sandy beach. In May 2011, everything was submerged but it was still a well-protected stop. This time, the entrance appeared to be shoaled in and we could see snags that would be difficult to avoid. We passed it by and continued south.<br />
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At mile 172.5, Gale spotted an alligator sunning itself along the shore. At about 8 feet, it was the biggest one we had seen outside of Indiantown, Florida, on the Okeechobee Waterway. We were lucky to get a picture of him before he swam away.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGyCuR2cIw2R76YFlrRNUj4_u7WW0pftgwD-BABCYhRTqx8Gv8eh6rEpxQX86kjZzynkw2dFvjET-ZnV2Tw9ocloYDpHosVog2B2lyVCQAfRSCacIW4G08COdXhqaazweJPnMNfu-75U/s1600/P1180508.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaGyCuR2cIw2R76YFlrRNUj4_u7WW0pftgwD-BABCYhRTqx8Gv8eh6rEpxQX86kjZzynkw2dFvjET-ZnV2Tw9ocloYDpHosVog2B2lyVCQAfRSCacIW4G08COdXhqaazweJPnMNfu-75U/s320/P1180508.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QW9WyG8qAtggYMhuGsyWpC01Lb_KGPxzusIlz-o4H11DcJ5XIVS0XyRjCNRZwhoAhQ02PQcmY9QIRdgvWsvu7rBHAqwVygQXeTlcpGva3W-dDqLw6rN4SlmykoJIXR2NGooZoYLUulc/s1600/P1180509.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8QW9WyG8qAtggYMhuGsyWpC01Lb_KGPxzusIlz-o4H11DcJ5XIVS0XyRjCNRZwhoAhQ02PQcmY9QIRdgvWsvu7rBHAqwVygQXeTlcpGva3W-dDqLw6rN4SlmykoJIXR2NGooZoYLUulc/s320/P1180509.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
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Baron’s Landing, mile 168.6, an indentation in the riverbank where old Lock No. 2 used to be, turned out to be our stop for the night. We were far enough out of the channel not to be of much concern to any passing barges and we were actually able to nose up on a nice sandy bottom and bring our anchor ashore. At 3:30 pm, we were all cozied in as we began to hear a few rumbles of thunder in the distance. It didn’t take long before Gale was in the dinghy and out looking for bass. About 4:30 pm, it clouded over and we received a short, light shower. Gale caught two nice bass for dinner which we combined with some leftover rotisserie chicken and added a side of instant mashed potatoes. Voila – a feast!<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ayAd0bbCE95PSDORPM6ZHdl-yyKc1nu2BPrwob1XopNP5zu0rkH3PhTKkzfIPsi45_qr8akJx2meyep0VXvA9ayvnDDyesgHB_0hWdobFYlRvPNtzts_YKzN0FrbIIDVW7mp27H8GSU/s1600/P1180512.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6ayAd0bbCE95PSDORPM6ZHdl-yyKc1nu2BPrwob1XopNP5zu0rkH3PhTKkzfIPsi45_qr8akJx2meyep0VXvA9ayvnDDyesgHB_0hWdobFYlRvPNtzts_YKzN0FrbIIDVW7mp27H8GSU/s320/P1180512.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
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The towboats continued to power northbound throughout the day and night. We noticed three after we anchored and before we went to bed and another three during the night. Only one was going south. <br />
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During the night, the sky was clear, the stars bright and plentiful and there was a very light fog just above the water. We enjoyed quite a pleasant experience at Baron’s Landing.Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42183288351748445.post-83069095023003183772011-09-26T10:02:00.000-05:002011-09-26T10:02:24.402-05:00Wed, Sept 21 to Sun, Sept 25, 2011 – Demopolis Yacht BasinHooray! The part we ordered on Monday arrived at 10:30 Wednesday morning. Maureen went for her walk while Gale got things ready for the installation. He had a little bit of trouble attaching the yoke to the outdrive, but with some help from our friend Mike Lewis, <b><i>m/v Dual Dreams</i></b>, and the tool shed, or “man cave,” they were able to put things together. <br />
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Maureen assisted Gale with the repair work. There was a lot of heavy lifting and pulling trying to line things up but we were able to get it done without a hitch. Gale even had time to do a little fishing afterwards.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmF9RoUtL9Ev0DkFbxHvFGdPvlI7enh-kroJA1wQxJR_QIaBtWS_zdWEo0U0r63jtdwrgcTIxwZvCgGewd04P3vk17-Q09fHjQscSrz6oNrpPRDfRqs3YIBwyyPTaHs64I3nRXxxA_PaM/s1600/P1180440.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmF9RoUtL9Ev0DkFbxHvFGdPvlI7enh-kroJA1wQxJR_QIaBtWS_zdWEo0U0r63jtdwrgcTIxwZvCgGewd04P3vk17-Q09fHjQscSrz6oNrpPRDfRqs3YIBwyyPTaHs64I3nRXxxA_PaM/s320/P1180440.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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The test run on Thursday morning went just as we hoped it would. Everything sounded good, looked good and felt right. We were quite confident that the repair was a success. We’ll know for sure when we finally take off and leave Demopolis.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTakuOFlOsgujD5DAj7br8Xk1ILpZLDaPONaYsfOH4wobqT4Gsfa7WlBkplR3SDh0KDoMn-57bMV2k4Sr_h5bIDIfZgVcACRhVAvlKsNb0v_seQo1txfFtx-sVU_EfZNk8AgriLGS9cmw/s1600/P1180442.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTakuOFlOsgujD5DAj7br8Xk1ILpZLDaPONaYsfOH4wobqT4Gsfa7WlBkplR3SDh0KDoMn-57bMV2k4Sr_h5bIDIfZgVcACRhVAvlKsNb0v_seQo1txfFtx-sVU_EfZNk8AgriLGS9cmw/s320/P1180442.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> Roger had asked Gale to give him a lesson on fishing for bass. He was unfamiliar with freshwater fishing and was interested in learning about the gear needed and the different techniques to be used. Gale took Roger to his “honey hole” and they found the bass. That evening, Gale cut up the fish in small pieces and grilled hors d’oeuvres at “The Wall” for everyone that was gathered there. The fish was served with the rye bread that Roger had made the previous day and actually made for a nice dinner for most of us.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3ovd54wukUs8xZZdGUDYnnGByKmit3l6mKASlrFWEXXTEEmnOF3DPDhn0OjsCGUIubD_RyJ4gVXpl6FyVAWpTkd3OBIwVkwZUkhHa-n3cag7Nd_KBVvhdlmWgR9u5uMli_5mYPHt_1s/s1600/P1180444.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3ovd54wukUs8xZZdGUDYnnGByKmit3l6mKASlrFWEXXTEEmnOF3DPDhn0OjsCGUIubD_RyJ4gVXpl6FyVAWpTkd3OBIwVkwZUkhHa-n3cag7Nd_KBVvhdlmWgR9u5uMli_5mYPHt_1s/s400/P1180444.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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Friday morning we were up early and the guys (Gale and Roger) were out fishing by 7 am. They returned a few hours later with two keepers. After lunch, they did a little more fishing and picked up another nice one. <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQrxRtCgVz2JrBowHhRWYqlFH7f-s4UGvTPacdp_t4eTYr9_pKa39HvFLu54qLcqU4hQSiauJuA_Wl1CeplTpBWswCSS8BZS5SGwO3S4J9BViGbk_pe7MD4JPOztsh6Ej5mm6fBo773w/s1600/P1180448.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoQrxRtCgVz2JrBowHhRWYqlFH7f-s4UGvTPacdp_t4eTYr9_pKa39HvFLu54qLcqU4hQSiauJuA_Wl1CeplTpBWswCSS8BZS5SGwO3S4J9BViGbk_pe7MD4JPOztsh6Ej5mm6fBo773w/s320/P1180448.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> <br />
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When we walked up to the showers late in the afternoon, a few of the folks were already gathered at The Wall for happy hour. Mike, <b><i>m/v Dual Dreams</i></b>, had been inspired to write a poem about “Fred’s Triangle.” Fred runs the Demopolis Yacht Basin and there is an ongoing joke that cruisers come to stay for a night, a week, or a month but end up never leaving. Here is Mike’s poem. Just insert the appropriate boat name:<br />
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<i>BACK IN A SLIP AND ALL TIED DOWN<br />
LOOKS LIKE <b>BLUE HERON’S </b>GONNA STICK AROUND<br />
STUCK IN FRED’S TRIANGLE CANNOT LEAVE<br />
OH!! THE HORROR – IT MAKES ME GRIEVE<br />
THEY REALLY THOUGHT THEY COULD GO ON DOWN <br />
DOWN TO THE GULF TO PLAY AROUND<br />
ONE MORE TIME DOWN COMES THE DEMO HAMMER<br />
NOW <b>BLUE HERON </b>IS STUCK IN ALABAMER<br />
</i><br />
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Thanks, Mike! You gotta laugh, right?<br />
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That evening we were invited over to Roger and Dita’s boat, s/vZephyr. We enjoyed a few drinks, cheese, olives, crackers and a special dish Dita made called “ceviche.” Ceviche (also spelled cebiche or seviche) is a seafood dish popular in the coastal regions of the Americas, especially Central and South America. The dish is typically made from fresh raw fish marinated in citrus juices such as lemon or lime and spiced with chili peppers. Additional seasonings such as onion, salt and pepper may also be added. As the dish is not cooked with heat, it must be prepared fresh to avoid the potential for food poisoning.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lrtaWoB5HOei59Dav32Iev4acVCD7FRaVrg0ACOFbvGmw7NvfQpjHOd_8RrFG6eP52uxhnE2KqFyUb2XgD5qvyCmKTiUdgxAeQ8ZalVm1rl4vtiSAQx_cER72I89Y6XtQ-LoYZmXB9g/s1600/P1180454.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0lrtaWoB5HOei59Dav32Iev4acVCD7FRaVrg0ACOFbvGmw7NvfQpjHOd_8RrFG6eP52uxhnE2KqFyUb2XgD5qvyCmKTiUdgxAeQ8ZalVm1rl4vtiSAQx_cER72I89Y6XtQ-LoYZmXB9g/s320/P1180454.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbNi_H-DX3M_IiwWsj80CBYwVjS84P9rfvLZm2VTQ9ubQ3B3FtxW9cfi9p2UX4l395O93EBnu6Zblz_4KFYmVaD3BRTC8VyAl7VaVdrclbahCqOnmbJOzPZ8OfmO6CMMDRlj8SCj8KKo/s1600/P1180455.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfbNi_H-DX3M_IiwWsj80CBYwVjS84P9rfvLZm2VTQ9ubQ3B3FtxW9cfi9p2UX4l395O93EBnu6Zblz_4KFYmVaD3BRTC8VyAl7VaVdrclbahCqOnmbJOzPZ8OfmO6CMMDRlj8SCj8KKo/s320/P1180455.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRuAbYB9-lzShddfCcG-MuvcXbH7_pbsVoxEbkD_Hcvymw5bi8_laHeAcmImzuQMy1OLftWTbnepoxeQebEYyux9ho9BkK-4151C27qVb9gdQWZZW3ikGJeXDnI_053pM5ZYdYzFBByE/s1600/P1180458.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBRuAbYB9-lzShddfCcG-MuvcXbH7_pbsVoxEbkD_Hcvymw5bi8_laHeAcmImzuQMy1OLftWTbnepoxeQebEYyux9ho9BkK-4151C27qVb9gdQWZZW3ikGJeXDnI_053pM5ZYdYzFBByE/s320/P1180458.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1eonBFzmjMOce-T_280cDrtH2Xs31amb70CfcnorBwuIGp-xL17MDEYpa2x_dNXLPX7OGyO19fNYVGuzq_rU5JmXH0ANHmM8UT9Eo4dAzVhmn1PL8HcYEP_lyR5QNI2MEKfhlWHy86E/s1600/P1180460.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu1eonBFzmjMOce-T_280cDrtH2Xs31amb70CfcnorBwuIGp-xL17MDEYpa2x_dNXLPX7OGyO19fNYVGuzq_rU5JmXH0ANHmM8UT9Eo4dAzVhmn1PL8HcYEP_lyR5QNI2MEKfhlWHy86E/s320/P1180460.JPG' border='0' alt='' /></a> <br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV94Chg-V3rJirHypuKDxY_4iILZftU6g9eXwmPb13rgSXGm9j8hkp-eNDo1VCVvAYd0CiR7knDHk1sn4q8PkTY1UbzEb8MTasj4ctwa11kPDC1lLKGTmq3Dot-asKwzxqVr62oPMYxeM/s1600/P1180467.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgV94Chg-V3rJirHypuKDxY_4iILZftU6g9eXwmPb13rgSXGm9j8hkp-eNDo1VCVvAYd0CiR7knDHk1sn4q8PkTY1UbzEb8MTasj4ctwa11kPDC1lLKGTmq3Dot-asKwzxqVr62oPMYxeM/s160/P1180467.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFpgP31E7gU3I2y1RzGe-nzMBvvjlhPZmIukLY7zED-u36Ashtjjnc_6a8ASVqOSTYvsp4H5lCCAuf0oMj6QZZ34AzJUKv9RB8nwvuwSkbr4cU1pjj-h34caCYwIMuX6LyeiqgbaT1sk/s1600/P1180468.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEFpgP31E7gU3I2y1RzGe-nzMBvvjlhPZmIukLY7zED-u36Ashtjjnc_6a8ASVqOSTYvsp4H5lCCAuf0oMj6QZZ34AzJUKv9RB8nwvuwSkbr4cU1pjj-h34caCYwIMuX6LyeiqgbaT1sk/s160/P1180468.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> Saturday morning we took on a few small projects around the boat and felt pretty good about what we accomplished. Just before the noon hour, we walked uptown and checked out some of the old historical buildings. One of those buildings housed the theatre and the Marengo Café’. We stopped in and found a quaint little café with a few tables and nice menu. Maureen ordered a small pasta salad and Gale tried the chili with a lettuce salad side. The food was very fresh and our unplanned luncheon was delightful. <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJCmIanHUQm4CuBrqR7VtdClYV8jrLuGhtGsu9G0UEK2olVgSmxqA32AkQXHwRl4LvI4-ZDKNg3pwsSoEDWQM_Y8Mf6v5ilI8dm-mXHphDFyCnBVy3rHxFCvJiPPafU8DfY2QAVgpphw/s1600/P1180471.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhlJCmIanHUQm4CuBrqR7VtdClYV8jrLuGhtGsu9G0UEK2olVgSmxqA32AkQXHwRl4LvI4-ZDKNg3pwsSoEDWQM_Y8Mf6v5ilI8dm-mXHphDFyCnBVy3rHxFCvJiPPafU8DfY2QAVgpphw/s320/P1180471.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjganPsdAh79d-yONcwDM0wOradmlvJqNgf3x3Y0gPqE9yx-OOVFE9ZN2Uv1zRu0yYs3m3Oo3gR6kt9CoepA2_F4F1pidoGnVV_rLrc6lf5MUrgUduSve_Ypf2bw_UCNbjhRnSdiYoN-lI/s1600/P1180477.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjganPsdAh79d-yONcwDM0wOradmlvJqNgf3x3Y0gPqE9yx-OOVFE9ZN2Uv1zRu0yYs3m3Oo3gR6kt9CoepA2_F4F1pidoGnVV_rLrc6lf5MUrgUduSve_Ypf2bw_UCNbjhRnSdiYoN-lI/s320/P1180477.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:left; margin:0px 10px 10px 0;' /></a> <br />
Saturday afternoon, was quite relaxing even as we continued with our little boat projects. Roger stopped by and asked Gale if he could hoist him up the mast so he could change out the anchor light on the top of the mast with an LED bulb. Roger had a bosun’s chair so Gale winched him up on one line while Maureen tended the safety line. At The Wall that evening, our friends Robby and Brenda, <b><i>m/v Crazzy Nuff</i></b>, from Mobile, provided Cajun cornbread and beans for everyone to enjoy. It was spicy and tasty!<br />
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Sunday was spent doing all the last minute things we do as we prepare to cruise; i.e., laundry, blog work, errands, etc. We ran to the grocery store but because it was Sunday, they wouldn’t sell us any wine or beer. It looked like we would be making another run early tomorrow morning. At least, the store will open at 6 am. Tonight’s happy hour at The Wall included hors d’oeuvres made by three of the ladies: Harriet, Dita and Joy. Joy made a sausage, and egg quiche; Harriet cooked up a chicken and avocado dip baked in a small loaf of bread, and Dita’s contribution was jalapeno peppers stuffed with cream cheese and wrapped with bacon. There was also cheese, crackers and fruit and everything was delicious. Our original plan had been to go out to a Mexican restaurant with Roger and Dita for our last night at the marina, but with all the food provided, everyone agreed that we’d already had enough to eat. Roger and Dita invited us over to <b><i>Zephyr</i></b> for another cocktail and we laughed and visited for awhile before going home for the night.<br />
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<a href='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxxgHzeQh6HtDKwNnf32bF56dHKLDxYS7DNDXKwwb4BgnBYmkP9pQmX6gsTeDzJYeYJNb4l6lxcAuVQAuSDbWuXSWsWpNfJBEOTGOmfwNP6SYLlB5y-jhgtCmiBAU3tvDR93_04zRdZI/s1600/P1180488.JPG'><img src='https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinxxgHzeQh6HtDKwNnf32bF56dHKLDxYS7DNDXKwwb4BgnBYmkP9pQmX6gsTeDzJYeYJNb4l6lxcAuVQAuSDbWuXSWsWpNfJBEOTGOmfwNP6SYLlB5y-jhgtCmiBAU3tvDR93_04zRdZI/s320/P1180488.JPG' border='0' alt=''style='clear:both;float:right; margin:0 0 10px 10px;' /></a> Gale and Maureenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/09075920523783606221noreply@blogger.com0