She Left Me Alone!

Friday morning Pam went to the airport and flew home to surprise one of our friends on her 50th birthday. This friend has now entered the older than dirt category! The surprise was executed perfectly with a little help from our friends, thank you very much!

Thought I'd include this picture of the aged one taken last summer at some risk of bodily harm to myself. I'm sure if Pam were here the photo wouldn't have made the editors cut but that's what happens when I'm left alone! Happy Birthday Lisa!
While Pam's away I've been getting some maintenance items taken care of on Tourist like changing oil and filters as well as all fuel filters and getting the packing nut tightened on one of the rudder posts. Don't worry though, I've scheduled my time each day to allow participation in Docktails although the turnout has been a bit sparse so far. As for the weather lets' just say I've been in shorts since we arrived here! One other note of personal interest. Thank God for microwaveable meals!
Here are some totals for the second leg from Columbus to Ft. Myers;
955.4 miles, 1024.2 gallons of fuel, 80 hours engine time, 123 hours generator time, .93 mpg.
Overall totals from East Dubuque are;
1935.1 miles, 1826.2 gallons of fuel, 1.06 mpg, 169 engine hours, and 164 generator hours.

Southern Home

Monday 1/18/10     We finally found the off switch on the vacuum that was holding us in Tarpon Springs. At 9:53am we cruised out of town and decided to head down the ICW since it was still bumpy on the Gulf. Bridges, no wake areas, traffic, and shallow water. Thats' the ICW, not a fast track for sure.

Our travels took us through Clearwater and on to Tampa Bay where we traveled beside I-275 to the Sunshine Skyway bridge before heading to DeSoto Point on the Manatee River for our overnight anchorage.

Tuesday found us again on the ICW heading south. Past Sarasota and Venice and on to our Cape Haze anchorage. We arrived in time to enjoy the remainder of the afternoon with a cocktail out back watching the boat traffic in the channel. This location will also go down in history as the spot where I whipped Pam. Now before you think I'm cruel I have to say that she asked for it! Several times during the trip she has asked for it. IT of course is Dominos and I put her out of her misery for ahwile!

Wednesday 1/20/10 dawned and we pulled anchor at 8am. One last hurdle, the Boca Grande Bridge which we needed to open for Tourist to pass through. Like a good Catholic our timing was off and we had to wait for the 8:30 opening. Our run was a smooth one through Charlotte Harbor, Pine Island Sound, even through the Miserable Mile where we followed a beautiful Marlow. The route was full of dolphins jumping and playing in our wake, all of which cause Pam to make excited sounds like a 6 year old every time she spots one! After topping off the fuel tanks at the Ft. Myers Yacht Basin we were helped into our slip at Legacy Harbour by the friendly staff. To Pams' delight we are only 2 slips away from our primo spot that we had last year. The marina is almost full so boat gawking will be at a high for the next few days. Shortly after we tied the docklines my Mom and Dad showed up to make sure we arrived safe and sound. Our day was complete when we went to spaghetti night at the Elks Club. How can you complain about $8.00 for a round of drinks and $28.50 for dinner for four!

Opaaa!

Thusrday morning 1/14/10 came early on Tourist. Up at 4. Make coffee. Do boat checks. Fire the engines. Pull the anchor and head out East Pass into the very black Gulf of Mexico. 3 reds and 4 greens later we were in open water. Time to dial in the electronics and enjoy a hot cup of coffee.

Our crossing was a bit lumpy as you can see in the picture but once the sun came up we were still able to run about 20 mph for the 166 mile trip to Tarpon Springs. Occassionaly we would pick up a blip on the radar of another boat but we didn't visually see any until about 40 miles out of Tarpon Springs.

We arrived at the north end of the barrier islands and found the entrance to the Anaclotte River which runs past the sponge docks into Tarpon Springs. Unable to stay at the city marina which is the most convenient to downtown we stayed across the river at Tarpon Landing Marina. Just as well, the exercise will do us good!
Friday 1/15/10 dawned sunny and warm. Finally get to break out the shorts and show off our white legs! Pam and Roger Gehl drove down from Crystal River to have lunch with us and do a little snooping around town. After lunch the girls shopped while Roger & I enjoyed hand rolled cigars at the Sponge Exchange and listened to one of the local musicians. Before we knew it it was time for them to head back and as luck would have it they escaped without getting their pictures taken for the blog! Thanks for coming to visit guys. We had a great time!

Tarpon Springs is noted for its' Greek community which got its' start in the 1880s' when the sponge industry got its' start and sponge divers from Greece arrived to help in the harvest. Needless to say we have needed that walk across the bridge to work off all the Greek food we've been eating. we've tried Costas on Thursday and Hellas (http://www.hellas-restaurant.com/) last night. You can tell from the picture of Pam & me which one ate the most.
To our friends on Broulee we were sorry to hear about your latest adventure. You obviously know no limits in seeking out fun things to do! If we can be of assistance in any way let us know.

Cruisin

Wednesday 1/13/10     We are sitting at anchor in an area called Shipping Cove inside Dog Island which is just south of Carrabelle, Fl. getting ready to cross the Gulf tomorrow to Tarpon Springs. I don't think we'll be alone. A boat called Peacekeeper shares the anchorage with us and several more are in Carrabelle.

We spent two nights in the Mobile area doing laundry (Pam) and getting the props swapped out on Tourist. After using them as a chain saw on the trip down a slight vibration developed thus causing the change. All is well now.

We officially entered Florida yesterday and of course Pam had to take a picture!. I can't keep her away from the camera. Once a tourist, always a tourist! Also a Happy Birthday to my Mom who turned____on the 12th!
Todays travels included a stop at Panama City for fuel, water, and evacuation. As an added bonus we saw our boating friends on Broulee tied up at the marina. We were able to have a short visit with Rick, Deb, and Izzy the Wonderdog before moving on. See you guys at Legacy.

I just had to throw this picture in of this slightly used cruiser sitting near White City, Fl. I'm sure it can be bought at the right price! Any takers?

You Know It's Cold When...

You know it's cold when....

1. The lines are frozen.

2. You see ice on the riverbank.

3. Ice forms around the heat pump discharge.

4. The buoys in Mobile Bay are ice covered.
5. And finally, you know it's cold when I run the generator non stop for three days!

We arrived Sunday at Grand Mariner Marina on the Dog River just south of Mobile following a very nice but cold trip from Demopolis. One of the high points for Pam on this leg was passing by Waites Landing Bar pictured above. Waites is of course Pams' maiden name. We wanted to stop and have a drink at her namesake but couldn't find the bar anywhere. Must have been washed out in a flood!

Life on the River

Well we got out of Dodge (Columbus) yesterday right on schedule. Although it wasn't our schedule. Up at 6, coffee, get the boat secure for travel, call the nearby lock to check traffic and whammo! There is a north bound barge making his way to the lock. We get to pass thru once the barge is done locking up. Our time came and we exited the lock at 8:25 am. Life on the river! Travel was good although a bit cool. We passed through an area of film ice at one point in the day. A first for Tourist. We went through two more locks and anchored off the channel below the Howell Heflin lock for the night.

Thursday 1/7/10     Up early to a beautiful sunrise. As per the forecast it would be the best part of the day. We cruised the 50 miles to Demopolis, Al. in freezing rain, rain, and occasional snow. The original plan was to take on fuel and keep going but after listening to NOAA and deliberating about how far we could get before sunset, we decided to stay in Demopolis.

We are now tied to the fuel dock which we share with the commercial tow boat, the Edith Tripp. Tonight we may risk the elements and walk up to the bar/restaurant to check out the new addition and see if the Alabama game is on. Ya think maybe?

Some of the sights along the way...

Baby it's Cold Outside!

Tuesday 1/5/10     We're back at the boat in Columbus, Ms.  As I write this it is 18 degrees outside. Sounds cold but in fact it is 27 degrees warmer than when we left home on Sunday. Time to break out the shorts and flip flops! Wait!! Pam thinks I might be rushing the wardrobe change thing by a few days. Seems she looked at the forecast for the upcoming week and it is showing night time temps between 10 and 15 degrees as far south as Mobile. Patience Rick, patience!
Looks like we may be one of the last boats to head south from Columbus. There are several empty slips at the marina and not much activity. Quite a change from when we left the boat in November. We have a few minor projects to take care of on Tourist and then we'll point the bow south in search of warmer weather.