12/14/15 Marena

This is Marena's grooming day! She needs a cut really bad..........
Sonny got online and found a lady who has a mobile grooming service and she had a spot open today. Yippee!!! Her van was decked out, and she is totally totally full service.
Marena got herself foo-fooed and feels like she lost 3 pounds in the process.

12/12/15 Dunedin Christmas Parade

This is Saturday and Dunedin is having their Christmas Parade downtown. So we, along with Terry & Lola Fitzpatrick (Sunny Days) caught the bus and went. Terry n Lola made the crossing with us too. They were actually the lead boat. We three boats stayed in contact with each other every hour.
The parade was fun to watch, lasted two hours, and we walked around the downtown area. Lola & Terry walked back to the marina, and Sonny & I walked a little way then caught the trolley. We stopped and ate at Frenchy's Outpost that is close to the marina. Their food is good and we had a fun time.

12/10/15 Dunedin, Fl

Marker 1 Marina (CorkScrew is top center)

Marina

Pool @ Marina

We arrived in Dunedin at Marker 1 Marina at 12:30. 19 long hours. Most of the group ahead of us have gone into Tarpon Springs to dock. But we chose this marina; because it was the closest one. It also ended up costing less. And that is a good thing since the boat will be docked here until the end of the year, at least. The first slip they put us in was sooo tight, couldn't even put ONE fender out, much less one on each side. So they moved us to another slip and that was much better. The next day (Friday) was spent cleaning inside and out, and getting settled into our new home. That night we caught "The Jolly Trolley" to Tarpon Springs and had dinner at Rusty Bellies

with Tom n Julie on Sum Escape, the boat we were behind crossing the gulf. I had to hug them for being there for us. As I said earlier, seeing their stern light was a blessing........

11/30/15 Finally on the move again........

Today is the day........we are back on the water! YAY!!!!!!! It has been absolutely wonderful visiting with family, and having time to relax. Totally. But, it's time. We are both ready. Not sure about Marena, but............
The ride across Mobile Bay, then into the Intracoastal Waterway was the best part so far.
Across the Bay; the Coast Guard was preforming a rescue exercise. There were two helicopters and one boat. We passed very close to them and seeing them drop victims in the water, then rescuing them was amazing.
When we entered the ICW, the dolphins were right beside us most of the way! What a show............

We are anchored in Ingram Bayou for the night; grilled filets and a great coleslaw recipe from "The Boat Galley"............

12/9/15 Crossing the gulf

We left the dock at Apalach for a 3 hr ride to Dog Island. We will anchor there until 5:30, then leave to make our crossing to Marker 1 Marina in Dunedin, Fl.   I'm not sure what to expect exactly, but it's gonna be dark and we stay up all night. There are five other boats anchored at Dog Island, waiting just like us. Four of them left at 2:30 (they travel a little slower than us). Another boat (Sunny Days) joined us two that are left (Sum Escape and us). Sunny Days is ahead, traveling a little faster. They are gold loopers though (already having completed this journey). Sum Escape is in front of us (thank the lord). It was dark dark that night and I don't think I could have made it without that stern light to watch. There were lots of stars, the sky was beautiful, but no moon. Did I say it was dark??? Didn't really know I was afraid of the dark, but being out in the ocean, no land close, 170 miles from our destination, I can now say that I am!!! I'm also a wimp; I took two 1 hr naps while my husband made the trip without one. He is a trooper; I am not. Simply put. After about 12 hrs of dark, it was great to see daylight! Now comes the job of watching for crabpots. I do not do well without sleep. My eyes keep closing. Anyhow; after 19 hrs we finally make it to the marina. Thank you God for watching over us.

12/6/15 thru 12/9/15 Apalachicola

Here we are at my special spot. Sonny and I married 10 yrs ago on Shell Island, right off the coast of Panama City Beach. We then drove to Port St. Joe for dinner, then on to Apalachicola to stay the night at The Gibson Inn. I fell in love with this town then. Every year when Sonny fishes with his family there at Bay City Lodge, we get to come back....................It's one of the highlights of my trip! This year was no different, except we stayed on our boat instead of at WaterStreet Hotel. We walked to town several times, but missed out on eating at The Owl. It was closed for a few wks to do repairs. Right before Christmas is their slow time we found out! We did eat at The Gibson one night, but the best was at The Hole In The Wall. They have this smoked tuna dip that is absolutely awesome. Also; there is a fairly new place in town called The Shop. A great place with some awesome things. The cutest and most comfy Apalachicola t-shirt in town. I'm sure that I've left out something very important, but on to another day........................

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These are all historical photos of Apalachicola

12/5/15 Last day @ PCB

We used our time here to catch up on some things, like having my Hazelnut Mocha, visiting shops, having my Peppermint Mocha, spending a little time with Lynn and Dawn, then having my Hazelnut Mocha again on the last day (Saturday)! They had a lot of things to do at church (tis the season), so our time was short with them. Before leaving out this Saturday morning, we had to go back to the Farmers Mkt one last time. Fresh veggies and homemade Lavender soap. I'm hooked..................We are now going to Port St. Joe. The trip is about 40 miles, a short ride. Their marina is awesome, restaurant on site, great facilities and everything else a short walk. We walked downtown to eat Joe Mama pizza, but they were closed for a few weeks. dang!!! So we walked back to a restaurant we had passed, Provisions. Their food was spectacular. When we get a chance, we'll be back! Tonight is our only night here, we leave tomorrow morn to Apalachicola. I could have stayed longer in Port St. Joe, would love to have explored the town more. But our weather window for crossing the gulf is coming and I have to visit Apalach for a few days. I love, love Apalach!!!

All of the above photos were take along the ICW; just great photos with a great "Florida look"

Ledson (Marena's cousin)

11/28/15 and 11/29/15 Dog River Marina

On Saturday morning we packed the car and drove the 3 hour trip back to Dog River Marina. We had  been in PCB for 25 days. They sure passed fast!
We stopped in Navarre Beach AGAIN at Juana's Pagodas n Sailors Grill for their wonderful raisin bread. Until I get muffins made; this will be Sonny's breakfast.
Upon returning, we had a lot of work to do. Cleaning, cleaning and cleaning. But, no problem............
We had a couple of things that needed to be re-worked; but the repair shop was there on Sunday to start the process.
Met up again with Sea Jamm (Alan n Sheri). Most of our early friends are way ahead of us, but we're glad to have them nearby.
Something interesting at Dog River is the little "pet cemetary" of pets who've died while there.

Dog River Marina

Restaurant and dock across the water

Marena

Sea Jamm

Pet Cemetary

11/22/15 thru 11/26/15

This week is so calm for us. We are just doing mainly NOTHING............For sure the laundry will be caught up though. lol    
Now there is a little shopping, eating out, and cooking at the beach house. But mainly we visit Lynn n Dawn AND their 3 dogs.......Stryker, Ledson and Giada. Marena has had the time of her life!!!!! She isn't use to being around dogs much; but she loves loves loves them. I just hate for us to leave and her to be alone again. She has run and run and run and run some more! I am so glad for this time. Wouldn't take anything for it.........
This week has been a build up to THE DAY; THANKSGIVING! We have been invited here several times, but have always stayed in Kentucky with my family. So, being on this trip was the perfect time for us to spend it with Lynn, Dawn, Hunter, Wendy, Marna, Bill and Mike. What a feast Lynn prepared. It was absolutely awesome......and I ate way too much; that's all I'm gonna say!

Firefly Restaurant

Marena n Ledson

Marena Ledson n Stryker

The whole group!

Me n Giada

Marena n Dawn

Panama City