tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-13927537685421008622024-03-12T16:22:33.100-07:00MVGUMBOstevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.comBlogger196125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-85609178535377647012018-04-22T14:01:00.002-07:002018-04-22T14:01:42.263-07:00Palafox Marina Pensacola to Bluewater Bay Marina near Niceville, Fl. 53 MilesSunday March 8, 2018<br />
We left our slip at Palafox Marina at 9:20 it was breezy and the temp. had gotten down to 47 early this morning. About an hour later we were passing under the Pensacola Beach Bridge, the ICW here runs between the beach islands and the mainland. It is a pretty stretch cruising along Santa Rosa Island, Navarre Beach and Ft Walton. About 2:30 we entered Chocktawhatchee Bay there is always a lot of pleasure boat and jetski / waverunner traffic here, Destin bridge and harbor are at the mouth of the bay to the Gulf of Mexico. We will be heading northeast up to Rocky Bayou, there is a light chop on the bay.<br />
We arrive at Bluewater Bay Marina and tie up at the dock at 3:30. This is a small marina but in a pretty area. They have a good restaurant and also a courtesy car they loan to boaters staying there for trips to the local stores.<br />
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Some of the slips at Bluewater Bay the office and restaurant are in the building behind the boats.</div>
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Looking out of the marina entrance canal to Rocky Bayou</div>
stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-60210552106567208452018-04-16T11:59:00.000-07:002018-04-16T11:59:41.531-07:00Lulu's Homeport to Palafox Marina PensacolaMarch 28, 2018 Wednesday Breezy, cool, 32 miles<br />
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We left Lulu's at 9 am as usual there was lots of pontoon, speed and fishing boat traffic along this stretch of the ICW. We had no problems and enjoyed the scenery. As we passed by Perdido Key and got closer to Pensacola the Blue Angels flight team were practicing they passed over the boat several times it was a great show, but loud. We have seen them several times from boat or land they always put on a great show and we always enjoy watching them. The wind had picked up a bit and Pensacola bay was choppy but we made it into Palafox Marina by 1:15. At the fuel dock we had the holding (sewage) tank vacuum pumped out. Then we moved over to our assigned slip.<br />
Palafox is a nice marina with a good restaurant next door and others nearby. We will be here several days, on Friday we will rent a car. Easter Sunday we will drive to Rosemary Beach to spend a few days with Joshua, Sunshine, and the Grandkids.<br />
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On the ICW leaving Lulu's </div>
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The ICW cut at Ft McRee, the entrance to Pensacola Bay from the East blue water and white sand!</div>
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The Blue Angels put on a good show, this is one of their several passes over the boat</div>
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Sunset from our boat at Palafox Marina</div>
<br />stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-49144945450717866282018-04-15T18:23:00.000-07:002018-04-15T18:23:05.551-07:00Point Cadet Biloxi to Lulu's Homeport Orange Beach Al March 25, 2018 Sunday. Cool, clear, light winds 75 miles today<br />
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We left Point Cadet Marina at 6:45 AM, the weather looks good for the trip across Mobile Bay which can often be choppy. We cruised along the Intracoastal for a few hours then passed under the Dauphin Island Bridge and into Mobile Bay at 10:20 AM. Conditions were good, 2' waves with a 3 now and then. We slowed down to let an inbound ship in the ship channel cross in front of us, they are so big it seems they are travelling slow but actually are moving much faster than it appears, you don't want to get in front of them to find this out the hard way. Reaching the east side of Mobile Bay we were back in the ICW "ditch" again, cruising on to Lulu's (Jimmy Buffett's sister) place, restaurant, marina and playground. Lulu's restaurant is usually crowded, but, this is Spring Break so now even more so. We got to our slip at 3:30 and checked in then went by the restaurant to see what the wait time for a table at 6 PM would be one hour they said, we went up at 6 and were told 2 and a half hour wait! the place was packed with lots of people waiting in line. Dinner on the boat that night. It is a nice marina with floating docks. <br />
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Leaving Biloxi </div>
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Crossing Mobile Bay, good conditions</div>
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East side of Mobile Bay entering ICW ditch</div>
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Lulu's Homeport Marina</div>
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<br />stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-59368888597468545822018-04-15T14:07:00.000-07:002018-04-15T14:07:11.758-07:00Gulfport to Biloxi,MSMarch 24, 2018 Saturday Gulfport to Point Cadet Marina Biloxi - 16 miles<br />
We left the slip and went to the fuel dock to get some diesel, everything went fine, we took on 70 gallons to fill the tanks. We left the marina at 1:20 it was breezy with 2' chop on the Miss. Sound. It is a short distance to Biloxi, we arrived at the Point Cadet Marina at 3:30 we checked in and later had dinner Casino Grill restaurant. We want to cross Mobile Bay before the wind picks up tomorrow so we picked up fuel and made the short trip from GPT to Biloxi today to be a bit closer in the morning.<br />
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Mississippi Sound with Biloxi hotels and Casinos in sight.</div>
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<br />stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-51659245413762110612018-04-15T13:43:00.002-07:002018-04-15T13:43:44.901-07:00Seabrook Marina to Gulfport Harbor MS. March 23, 2018 Friday Seabrook to Gulfport, MS Clear, cool , light breeze 70 miles today<br />
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We departed Seabrook Marina at 7:30 AM we had a 25 min wait for the RR bridge to open, a train was shuffling cars. Once through there we entered the ICW, we passed through the huge post Katrina floodgate project, the Rigolets, and on to the Mississippi Sound. There was a light chop there in the morning, it picked up to 1-2 foot chop in the afternoon, very nice conditions. We arrived in Gulfport Harbor about 4 pm. Kevin had given me the name of a mechanic he knew there I called him and asked him to come by and have a look at the belt and pulleys on the engine to see what he thought about the dust. He did and said the pulleys looked in line and that the dust did not seem excessive to him, that it should be OK to run like that, so we will, keeping a close watch on it. <br />
We had dinner onboard.<br />
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Gulfport Harbor, a very nice marina, and town, Gumbo is the first boat on the right.</div>
stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-35151796391972661992018-04-15T13:14:00.002-07:002018-04-15T13:14:50.697-07:00March 22, 2018 Thursday Boomtown to Seabrook Marina New Orleans, 15 miles<br />
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We departed Boomtown 9:15 AM clear, cool weather, light breeze. We had about a 2 hour wait to enter Harvey lock as there were several tows (tugs with barges) ahead of us. We locked up, the lockmaster said 17' usually it is about 10', and through then entered the Mississippi it was the highest we have ever seen it and flowing very fast with lots of logs and other wood debris swirling around. It was a rough trip down the approx. 5 miles to the Industrial lock on the east side of the river, once there we had a short, 20 min., wait as a vessel exited the lock. We entered and were lowered into the ICW/ Industrial canal. We moved on to Seabrook Marina a couple of miles east where we docked for the night. There is a restaurant next door so we walked over for dinner..<br />
I am finding belt dust from the main, Cummins, engine serpentine belt when there is usually none. I had to replace the belt tensioner the last time we were out in the boat it seems to be operating OK, all gauges are registering normal, this belt drives the water pump so I'm keeping watch on water temp especially. I have spares so changed the belt which shows no sign of wear. <br />
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Entrance to Harvey Lock, closest is a highway bridge, then the RR bridge, up unless train nearby, on the far side is the lock and the Mississippi River. While waiting we were tied to a small barge on the right.</div>
<br />stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-6025144323857774412018-04-15T11:49:00.001-07:002018-04-15T11:49:35.150-07:00March 21, 2018 Wed. Houma to Boomtown Casino, 52 miles<br />
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We left our slip at 9 AM, A nice clear day light breeze. I noticed a slight vibration once we got going it wasn't too bad but I worried it might get worse. So I called around and Kevin was able to locate someone who knew of a diver who could take a look at it as we passed on our way through Larose. On arriving in Larose we pulled over to the ICW bulkhead and tied up, not long after the diver arrived, got suited up and went in for a look. It turned out it was not a plastic bag or rope as I thought but an growth of barnacles on a couple of the prop lobes that were causing the off balance vibration. So, after much scraping and banging the diver surfaced we paid him and kept on our way now vibration free.<br />
There was not too much traffic on the ICW , it is a slack period for the oil industry.<br />
We arrived at the bulkhead at Boomtown Casino about 6 pm the bulkhead has deteriorated over the years and it took a while to find a good spot, eventually we did and got tied up and had dinner at the casino then back to the boat for the night.<br />
Boomtown is a good spot to overnight it is about only about 5 miles from the Harvey Locks we will have to lock down into the Mississippi river tomorrow morning.<br />
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Leaving Tropical Harbor Marina in Houma, La. This canal leads to the Intracoastal Waterway</div>
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Sunset over the ICW from the Bulkhead at Boomtown Casino.</div>
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<br />stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-32573101236241061882018-04-15T11:12:00.001-07:002018-04-15T11:12:05.362-07:00 March 20, 2018 Tuesday<br />
We loaded most of our gear onto the boat during the day, then returned home to drop off the car and pick up the last few items for the trip. Kevin L. gave us a lift from home to the boat so we don't have to leave our vehicle at the marina for a long period. Later in the evening Ray and Tena came by for a drink and to toast to a good trip.<br />
We spent the night on board.<br />
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Gumbo in her home slip.</div>
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stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-79958023323701497822018-04-06T19:17:00.001-07:002018-04-06T19:17:35.313-07:00Trip to Gros Place Marina, Four Mile Bayou, Lake Verette, Louisiana Feb 26- 28, 2016 Friday Feb 26, 2016<br />
We hadn't been out in the boat for a good while so we decided to take a short trip up to Gros Place for the weekend. It is on Four Mile Bayou on the south end of Lake Verette. We left the home slip at 9:30 on a cool clear Friday morning. On the Intracoastal Waterway there was a slight current against us but not enough to cause any problems. We passed by Bay Wallace at 11:45, in Bayou Bouef at the RR Bridge near Amelia we had to wait about 45 min. for an Amtrack train to pass. At 1:55 the bridge opened for us and we continued up the Bayou. At 3:20 we arrived at the Stevenville bridge which opened after a short wait. At 4:45 PM we arrived at Gros Place, in the winter months it is a quiet area but during the summer on weekends it is buzzing with boat traffic there is often a Cajun Band playing BBQ'ing and all sorts of festivities going on. It is sometimes hard to find a place to tie up there in the summer.<br />
Approx 48 miles today<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jSLTkL2DUx8/WsgjPniGADI/AAAAAAAABoY/amA_4hLpzlUtcpd5jQ_k0wrL3PL8UafOQCLcBGAs/s1600/Gumbo%2Bat%2BGros%2BMarina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jSLTkL2DUx8/WsgjPniGADI/AAAAAAAABoY/amA_4hLpzlUtcpd5jQ_k0wrL3PL8UafOQCLcBGAs/s320/Gumbo%2Bat%2BGros%2BMarina.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Gumbo at Gros Marina Dock<br />
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<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ee8VhOSSbus/WsgjTcd7E4I/AAAAAAAABoc/vpFeIQyWul0CvEskCH04TUp554urETNggCLcBGAs/s1600/Gros%2BMarina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ee8VhOSSbus/WsgjTcd7E4I/AAAAAAAABoc/vpFeIQyWul0CvEskCH04TUp554urETNggCLcBGAs/s320/Gros%2BMarina.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Gros Marina in warm weather this area is usually full of Pontoon and Runabout boats<br />
Note the Spanish Moss on the trees, it is a beautiful place.<br />
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Saturday Feb 27, 2016<br />
Long time friends David and Julie Sagona have a beautiful camp near the marina and had invited us over for lunch there. David picked up about 11 am we had a very nice lunch and time with them and their Family, then David brought us back to the boat about 3 PM. That night the sky was clear and with little "light pollution" in the area the stars were beautiful.<br />
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Sunday Feb. 28, 2016<br />
We got underway at 8 Am Partly cloudy with light breeze, we saw several Bald Eagles along the way. We had no long waits at either of the bridges so made it back to our slip in Houma at 2 PM.<br />
It was a very nice trip.<br />
Approx. 48 Miles today<br />
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<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJbnP4gdHec/WsgovbFb8tI/AAAAAAAABos/-WiKTUXZJ3o5ry6ERCeKtcuKj3C-7SKvgCLcBGAs/s1600/Four%2BMile%2BBayou.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="240" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CJbnP4gdHec/WsgovbFb8tI/AAAAAAAABos/-WiKTUXZJ3o5ry6ERCeKtcuKj3C-7SKvgCLcBGAs/s320/Four%2BMile%2BBayou.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Some of the beautiful Cypress Trees along the way<br />
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One of several Bald Eagles we spotted<br />
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<br />stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-19900184098948391852013-05-10T20:34:00.000-07:002013-05-12T12:19:45.519-07:00Thursday May 9, 2013 posted on Friday May 10.<br />
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Pontchartrain Landing Marina ICW mile 5,+3, East of Harvey Lock to Houma Louisiana Mile 58 WHL<br />
Miles today 66<br />
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We left Potchatrain landing about 8 AM, it was cool and calm, still shallow in the marina dock area but we got out without problem. About a mile down the canal the railroad bridge was closed, waiting for a train to pass, we waited about 20 minutes there then continued to the next draw bridge which was under curfew. This means they have certain hours they don't open for marine traffic, usually during the automotive traffic rush hours. In the case of this bridge it is from 6:30 until 8:45 AM and a similar period during afternoon rush hours. So, we didn't have a long wait, we continued to the Industrial Canal Lock which will lift us up to the Mississippi River level. When we arrived at the lock we had a maybe 20 minute wait while it lowered a couple of "light boats" (tugs without barges) then called us to enter. We entered followed by a small shrimp boat going to Dulac which is near Houma so they will be with us all day we both travel about the same slow speed 8.5 to 9 mph. We pulled up to the lock wall the lock gates closed and the lock tender lowered ropes for us to hold onto as the water level was raised to lift us up to the river level this takes about 20-25 minutes. The river is very high now because of snow melt and lots of rain up North. Today we went up 11 feet, usually it is about 6'. The lock gates to the river were opened and we pulled out, a tow with two barges was in position to enter and hadn't left much room for us to get out but we managed to slip by. <br />
Next up river about 5 miles,we were moving very slow about 5-6 mph today because of the fast currentagainst us and lots of debris, logs and branches, from the high water. After about an hour we got to Harvey Lock in Harvey, Louisiana. As usual we had to wait for out turn, about an hour and a half this time. Thenwe were called into the lock and lowered 11 feet to the level of Harvey Canal portion of the ICW, from here all miles are designated WHL or West Harvey Lock. Our plan originally was to spent the night nearby at the Boomtown Casino bulkhead and proceed the 60 miles to Houma tomorrow, but the weather forecast calls for a front with strong thunderstorms to come through the area tonight and linger all day Friday and most of Saturday. Since we finished locking at 12:30 we decided to just carry on to Houma non stop. The rest of the trip was long but uneventful and we reached our slip just before 8 PM Marsha's father met us ther,e we secured the boat in our slip and went home. To come home today was the right decision, the front hit us at home about 3:30 AM with strong thunderstoms, lots of lightning and high winds<br />
So, we were gone 45 days travelled about 750 to 800 miles and burned about 300 gallons of diesel.<br />
It was a good trip, we got to see and spend time with some of our good friends along the way and met plenty of nice people and see lots of interesting sights. Gumbo did her part and ran fine the entire time!<br />
This will be the last entry for now, when we make another trip. I'll let you know. <br />
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Gumbo is in her slip in Houma <br />
Some of todays pictures below:<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FailPCKpGxE/UY2yME0Fg4I/AAAAAAAABV0/jqRp9Uen9aM/s1600/Sunrise+Ind+Canal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-FailPCKpGxE/UY2yME0Fg4I/AAAAAAAABV0/jqRp9Uen9aM/s320/Sunrise+Ind+Canal.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunrise over the Industrial Canal</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9CpISB1EXM/UY2yPzuIxGI/AAAAAAAABV8/M02WjBo8zJM/s1600/North+Clairborne+Ave.+Bridge+Ind+Canal.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9CpISB1EXM/UY2yPzuIxGI/AAAAAAAABV8/M02WjBo8zJM/s320/North+Clairborne+Ave.+Bridge+Ind+Canal.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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North Claiborne Av. Bridge with Industrial Lock in background</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-anmBPsvgy8g/UY2yXthZA0I/AAAAAAAABWE/wFU-8alFhko/s1600/Light+boats+exiting+Ind+Lock+eastbound.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-anmBPsvgy8g/UY2yXthZA0I/AAAAAAAABWE/wFU-8alFhko/s320/Light+boats+exiting+Ind+Lock+eastbound.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two light boats exiting the lock, on the left is a small shrimp boat with two guys who are bringing her to Dulac, a shrimping port near Houma</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NT92hCVMRyg/UY2ybGlxoZI/AAAAAAAABWM/mz50N7LipkY/s1600/Ind+Lock+st.+Claude+Av.+bridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NT92hCVMRyg/UY2ybGlxoZI/AAAAAAAABWM/mz50N7LipkY/s320/Ind+Lock+st.+Claude+Av.+bridge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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In the lock, the water level has been raised to the river level, the doors will open for us to exit into the river</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-efSlxjQMecI/UY2yhPAeu7I/AAAAAAAABWU/_dXJc6TvBQ8/s1600/Tow+waiting+to+enter+lock+tight+squeeze+for+us.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-efSlxjQMecI/UY2yhPAeu7I/AAAAAAAABWU/_dXJc6TvBQ8/s320/Tow+waiting+to+enter+lock+tight+squeeze+for+us.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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St. Claude Bridge is raised, we are cleared to the river, this tow waiting to enter hasn't left us much room, we did manage to squeeze by. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7w1VnFko2AU/UY2ynjI5FaI/AAAAAAAABWk/k_vjGnM5EBE/s1600/the+silver+fox+new+orleans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-7w1VnFko2AU/UY2ynjI5FaI/AAAAAAAABWk/k_vjGnM5EBE/s320/the+silver+fox+new+orleans.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Blain Kern's Mardi Gras World on the river docks, this is where many of the Mardi Gras floats are built and stored, it is also a sort of museum with tours. </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Li9Nyyw5lk0/UY20sVcX0YI/AAAAAAAABW4/dXOQc-2d704/s1600/small+shrimp+boat+on+ICW+to+Houma+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Li9Nyyw5lk0/UY20sVcX0YI/AAAAAAAABW4/dXOQc-2d704/s320/small+shrimp+boat+on+ICW+to+Houma+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the ICW, almost to Houma, skies are clouding up. The shrimp boat (Deacon Blues) that transited the locks and river with us is just ahead, he will have about 15 miles to go after we get to Houma</div>
stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-87177223597921872942013-05-08T21:24:00.002-07:002013-05-08T21:26:42.214-07:00Wednesday May 8, 2013<br />
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Gulfport Yacht Harbor ICW mile 70+4 to Ponchartrain Landing marina Industrial Harbor Canal, New Orleans ICW mile 35+28<br />
67 miles today<br />
We left the slip at 8:20 after a 15 minute false alarm delay over a steering issue, all was OK in the end.<br />
It was a beautiful day out on the water, a light breeze and chop on the sound and warm for a change. We proceeded about 30 miles on the MS sound then took the Rigolets (Rigolees) Pass into Lake Pontchartrain near New Orleans. There was a 40 min wait for the decrepit CSX railway swingbridge to open, then up to and across the lake to the marina it is new and quite nice., and right along the ICW on the way to the locks which will take us across the MS. River tomorrow.<br />
We had dinner at the marina's BBQ restaurant.<br />
To see our location today click on the link below<br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30.02630,-90.03384&ll=30.02630,-90.03384&ie=UTF8&z=12">https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30.02630,-90.03384&ll=30.02630,-90.03384&ie=UTF8&z=12</a><br />
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some of todays pictures below<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjuSbxcbQZY/UYsg8UdXDnI/AAAAAAAABU8/y1ABWgU8ZZo/s1600/Marina+reflections.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qjuSbxcbQZY/UYsg8UdXDnI/AAAAAAAABU8/y1ABWgU8ZZo/s320/Marina+reflections.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Morning reflections</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQoMuOao3yQ/UYsg-upxr7I/AAAAAAAABVE/dl6alW5grvc/s1600/Heading+out+of+GPT+marina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-iQoMuOao3yQ/UYsg-upxr7I/AAAAAAAABVE/dl6alW5grvc/s320/Heading+out+of+GPT+marina.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Leaving Gulfport harbor into a calm MS. sound,</div>
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crab trap buoys on the right an incoming tow ahead</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftI_AiYnnjY/UYshBPVTcWI/AAAAAAAABVM/eK1ls1_ORu0/s1600/2+DHS+boats+on+Ms+sound.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ftI_AiYnnjY/UYshBPVTcWI/AAAAAAAABVM/eK1ls1_ORu0/s320/2+DHS+boats+on+Ms+sound.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Out on the sound three of these guys came buzzing by, FAST</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fCZboZe7BGM/UYshDwFzo0I/AAAAAAAABVU/GyuoJUC1Oe4/s1600/50+cal+DHS+boat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fCZboZe7BGM/UYshDwFzo0I/AAAAAAAABVU/GyuoJUC1Oe4/s320/50+cal+DHS+boat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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See what they were sporting fore and aft!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lWatZwsqXjM/UYshH9L6CCI/AAAAAAAABVc/D9-9v3Zy-GI/s1600/Entering+Inner+harbor+Canal+New+Orleans.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lWatZwsqXjM/UYshH9L6CCI/AAAAAAAABVc/D9-9v3Zy-GI/s320/Entering+Inner+harbor+Canal+New+Orleans.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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After crossing Lake Pontchartrain we came to the Industrial harbor Canal entrance; a highway bridge</div>
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then the Railroad Bascule bridge and a floodgate all in one spot to keep Hurricane surge out, and help prevent another Katrina like episode</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_j5mHJUD_HQ/UYshMC-8HdI/AAAAAAAABVk/Fs9qif38mK4/s1600/Gumbo+Pontchartain+Landing.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_j5mHJUD_HQ/UYshMC-8HdI/AAAAAAAABVk/Fs9qif38mK4/s320/Gumbo+Pontchartain+Landing.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gumbo in the Pontchartrain landing Marina, it is pretty shallow in here. I hope the tide doesnt go out much overnight we might have a problem getting out.</div>
<br />stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-31801236242954793422013-05-07T20:22:00.003-07:002013-05-07T20:26:33.580-07:00Tuesday May 7, 2013<br />
Lulu's Homeport Marina ICW mile 155 to Gulfport Municipal Yacht Harbor ICW mile 70 + 4 miles<br />
89 miles today<br />
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We got up early and left Lulu's at 6 am to take advantage of the light winds forecast for today. We travelled West on the Alabama Canal the part of the ICW that goes into Mobile Bay from the East it was like glass. We crossed the bay it was a nice ride a very light chop for the crossing and then on to the Mississippi sound where conditions were nice until we were south of Biloxi mid afternoon and the winds picked up to about 15 MPH from the West. The next few hours to Gulfport MS were bumpy but without incident. We entered the Gulfport marina behind two boats from the Houston area. The marina is new replacing the one which was destroyed by a hurricane several years ago. It is very nice and big there must be a couple of hundred slips being new quite a few are empty.<br />
We took the short walk into town for dinner.<br />
The plan is to leave here tomorrow, Wednesday, morning and travel to a marina near the Industrial Lock in New Orleans, Spend the night there and cross the Miss. River Thursday. tomorrow's forecast looks good, so we'll see how it goes.<br />
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To see our location at Gulfport Yacht Harbor please click on the link below:<br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30.36329,-89.08707&ll=30.36329,-89.08707&ie=UTF8&z=12">https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30.36329,-89.08707&ll=30.36329,-89.08707&ie=UTF8&z=12</a><br />
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<span id="goog_142734912"></span><a href="http://www.blogger.com/"></a><span id="goog_142734913"></span><br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RQOlOHYHQc8/UYnArsRoHlI/AAAAAAAABUY/1chBiBrkqcI/s1600/ICW+Sunrise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RQOlOHYHQc8/UYnArsRoHlI/AAAAAAAABUY/1chBiBrkqcI/s320/ICW+Sunrise.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
The ICW at sunrise, the bridge is right next to Lulu's<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IY_ZbsZdmg8/UYnAs2ZemZI/AAAAAAAABUg/Q2yDu1Fbz1I/s1600/ICW+clam.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IY_ZbsZdmg8/UYnAs2ZemZI/AAAAAAAABUg/Q2yDu1Fbz1I/s320/ICW+clam.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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the ICW was like glass out to Mobile Bay</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72EsD9GmrLA/UYnAyJUB57I/AAAAAAAABUo/uFRqsEsB4c8/s1600/Dauphin+Is.+Bridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-72EsD9GmrLA/UYnAyJUB57I/AAAAAAAABUo/uFRqsEsB4c8/s320/Dauphin+Is.+Bridge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Dauphin Island Bridge at the west end of Mobile Bay conditions on the bay were very good.</div>
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The water was murky from being churned up by the wind action the last week or so.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FA0YXuJzC1U/UYnA5AZx0WI/AAAAAAAABUw/2Wc2Jvsy-Jo/s1600/Tow+MS+Sound.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-FA0YXuJzC1U/UYnA5AZx0WI/AAAAAAAABUw/2Wc2Jvsy-Jo/s320/Tow+MS+Sound.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Westbound tow on the Miss. Sound conditions were still very good<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ShKmXwysxDU/UYnAnZrYKjI/AAAAAAAABUM/XWNaGKrOEKo/s1600/Classic+at+LULUS.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ShKmXwysxDU/UYnAnZrYKjI/AAAAAAAABUM/XWNaGKrOEKo/s320/Classic+at+LULUS.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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One of the Classics at Lulu's</div>
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<br />stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-6020082807444376952013-05-06T19:01:00.000-07:002013-05-06T19:22:59.480-07:00Monday May 6, 2013<br />
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The Wharf Marina ICW mile 158 to Lulu's Homeport Marina ICW mile 155<br />
3 miles today.<br />
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This morning out friend Ted from Mobile came down to the Wharf to do some work on his boat which is also at the marina. He loaned us his car to go pick up some last minute items from the grocery store. After lunch with Ted we got our boat ready and left the Wharf for Lulu's at 2:15 pm. Lulu is Jimmy Buffett's sister and her restaurant and marina are a landmark around here. It was a short trip, only 3 miles, but after almost a week at the wharf we are ready for a change of scenery. Lulu's is a very nice facility, but a bit distant from anything else, the restaurant is very good, the marina is first class too. We had dinner before the big crowds arrived, it is a busy place usually full at noon and dinner every day. <br />
The plan is to leave here early Tuesday morning to try and get as far across Mobile Bay before the winds pick up, we are hoping for light winds the bay and Mississippi sound can get very uncomfortable when it is windy. We will be heading almost due West all day tomorrow. Gulfport, Mississippi is our planned destination but if we don't get that far we will stop in Biloxi.<br />
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To see our location at Lulu's please click on the link below<br />
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<a href="http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=Bz1Fe/30.28140N/87.68536W">http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=Bz1Fe/30.28140N/87.68536W</a><br />
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Some pictures below:<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFqcL0_hUPk/UYhZ_AvNsvI/AAAAAAAABTU/9uoqrSZHrDo/s1600/Wedding+boat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rFqcL0_hUPk/UYhZ_AvNsvI/AAAAAAAABTU/9uoqrSZHrDo/s320/Wedding+boat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There was a wedding at he marina last night the happy couple left on this boat, It must have been a good party one guy (not the groom) fell off the dock into the water and there were wine glasses on the dock the next morning.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OKrRTsy3Uqk/UYhaDCINdzI/AAAAAAAABTc/CD89qkTFvUw/s1600/Reef+builders.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-OKrRTsy3Uqk/UYhaDCINdzI/AAAAAAAABTc/CD89qkTFvUw/s320/Reef+builders.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Reef builders location near the wharf the stone "pyramids" and the ship will wind up as artificial reefs out on the Gulf bottom somewhere off the coast. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AIFKuY-2HqE/UYhaHyN9_9I/AAAAAAAABTk/h-KFv7sJipw/s1600/Lulu's+from+ICW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AIFKuY-2HqE/UYhaHyN9_9I/AAAAAAAABTk/h-KFv7sJipw/s320/Lulu's+from+ICW.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Arriving at Lulu's, this is the restaurant overlooking the ICW. Boaters can tie up at the dock to go in for lunch or get fuel at the dock on the right side.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfoHE9e9F98/UYhaL4ZfcVI/AAAAAAAABTs/pBGEgzF-PBc/s1600/Gumbo+at+Lulu's.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RfoHE9e9F98/UYhaL4ZfcVI/AAAAAAAABTs/pBGEgzF-PBc/s320/Gumbo+at+Lulu's.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Homeport Marina, Gumbo is on the left with Lulu's restaurant in the background. The floating docks are well laid out and very nice<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FBFPjtVdoFA/UYhabDBSREI/AAAAAAAABT0/OkmRjUCYA7E/s1600/Ullyses.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-FBFPjtVdoFA/UYhabDBSREI/AAAAAAAABT0/OkmRjUCYA7E/s320/Ullyses.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There are some nice boats at the docks, this is a steel trawler cruiser</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c8sa6coahIQ/UYhatCtDWlI/AAAAAAAABT8/uTs1L74gssk/s1600/Round+stern+Sailboat+Old+Squaw.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c8sa6coahIQ/UYhatCtDWlI/AAAAAAAABT8/uTs1L74gssk/s320/Round+stern+Sailboat+Old+Squaw.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A nice sailboat</div>
stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-79363737665659339482013-05-03T19:34:00.003-07:002013-05-03T19:34:33.599-07:00Friday May 3, 2013<br />
The Wharf Marina<br />
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The weather has been terrible rain off and on and lots of wind it looks like we will be here over the weekend. So I'll resume posting Monday when I hope we'll be back on the water.<br />
Please check back Monday.stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-27588142840505325472013-05-01T18:10:00.001-07:002013-05-01T18:14:47.642-07:00Wednesday May 1, 2013<br />
Roberts Bayou Anchorage ICW mile 165, to The Wharf Marina mile 155<br />
11 miles today<br />
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The weather front broke up before passing over us so we didn't have any problems ar anchor last night the wind was pretty strong and it did rain some but the anchor held tight. Today is another windy and rainy day so we left Roberts Bayou at 7:30 it was windy and cool we arrived at the Wharf about 9:00 and tied up in our slip. This is a very niche Marina it is part of The Wharf Complex in Orange beach Alabama there are shops and restaurants and many other activities on the development and nearby. The marina is right next to the ICW it has floating docks which are easy to tie to, the facilities are very nice..<br />
Our friends Ted and Mona from Mobile keep their boat at this marina also. They drove down so we had a nice visit and a glass of wine on their boat before driving to a nearby restaurant for lunch with them. On the way back to the marina we stopped at a Publix grocery store to pick up some things we needed.<br />
The forecast calls for high winds and thunderstorms for the next few days so we may be here till things clear up.<br />
To see out location at The Wharf click on the link below<br />
<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30.29374,-87.63164&ll=30.29374,-87.63164&ie=UTF8&z=12">https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30.29374,-87.63164&ll=30.29374,-87.63164&ie=UTF8&z=12</a><br />
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Some of todays pictures:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1F8JcVQis1w/UYG5dYGTJzI/AAAAAAAABSs/uVxPne2dHYg/s1600/Leaving+Roberts+bayou%252C+Pirates+cove.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1F8JcVQis1w/UYG5dYGTJzI/AAAAAAAABSs/uVxPne2dHYg/s320/Leaving+Roberts+bayou%252C+Pirates+cove.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Leaving Roberts Bayou the buildings on the beach are</div>
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the Pirates Cove bar and grill where the dogs are.</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IYntRZm08zk/UYG5fQN6fgI/AAAAAAAABS0/8-J4QbBVBac/s1600/On+bay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IYntRZm08zk/UYG5fQN6fgI/AAAAAAAABS0/8-J4QbBVBac/s320/On+bay.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A grey day on Bay La Launch </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-byTvoOPuGn0/UYG5jL1YvxI/AAAAAAAABS8/JGEGiDo_cSQ/s1600/Heron+at+The+Wharf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-byTvoOPuGn0/UYG5jL1YvxI/AAAAAAAABS8/JGEGiDo_cSQ/s320/Heron+at+The+Wharf.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Resident Heron at the Wharf</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6psK4DpaE8E/UYG57P-UVWI/AAAAAAAABTE/J8n02EBpHYQ/s1600/Gumbo+at+The+Wharf.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6psK4DpaE8E/UYG57P-UVWI/AAAAAAAABTE/J8n02EBpHYQ/s320/Gumbo+at+The+Wharf.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gumbo at the Wharf the yellow boat in the background is for Dolphin watching tours.</div>
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<br />stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-86932444826336599462013-04-30T19:55:00.001-07:002013-04-30T19:59:02.807-07:00Tuesday April 30, 2013<br />
Anchorage at Redfish Point ICW mile 177 to Roberts Bayou ICW mile 165<br />
12 Miles today Winds 10-15 SE cool and overcast<br />
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Today dawned grey, cool, and breezy We pulled the anchor up and were on the way west on Big Lagoon the body of water between Perdido Key and the mainland. There was a very strong current giving us a good push so we gained about a mile in speed. We travelled on the ICW to Roberts Bayou<br />
which is a small bayou which makes for a good anchorage as it is well protected. At the mouth of the bayou is Pirate's Cove Marina and Restaurant this is a really "rustic" looking place which is very popular on the weekends. They serve burgers which are very good, and a few other simple dishes they also serve LOTS of beer. Seating is outside on rugged plank tables and benches. There are always several dogs hanging around begging food as they wander amongst the tables. No one minds and the dogs are well behaved.<br />
Once we were anchored in the bayou we launched the dinghy and rode over tot the restaurant for lunch. <br />
We have only 10 miles to travel tomorrow friends from Mobile are meeting us at The Wharf Marina on the ICW in Orange beach. <br />
The weather is unsettled wiht a strong front passing through here tonight then windy for the next few days so we'll see how we make out.<br />
To see our location at Roberts Bayou click on the link below<br />
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<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30.32634,-87.53806&ll=30.32634,-87.53806&ie=UTF8&z=12">https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30.32634,-87.53806&ll=30.32634,-87.53806&ie=UTF8&z=12</a><br />
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Some of today's pictures below:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kfck20Ed8L4/UYB-AeuukRI/AAAAAAAABRs/lJhUToVIFNE/s1600/Perdido+Key+Bridge.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kfck20Ed8L4/UYB-AeuukRI/AAAAAAAABRs/lJhUToVIFNE/s320/Perdido+Key+Bridge.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Bridge over the ICW at Perdido Key </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-42R6x8XUkYU/UYB-eEVPpuI/AAAAAAAABR0/E8IfkgYy_00/s1600/Marker+28+Current.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-42R6x8XUkYU/UYB-eEVPpuI/AAAAAAAABR0/E8IfkgYy_00/s320/Marker+28+Current.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The strong current was causing swirls behind this channel marker buoy</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kf2tOcIrOR4/UYB-tO-235I/AAAAAAAABSE/O-aHB42V6ws/s1600/Roberts+Bayou+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-kf2tOcIrOR4/UYB-tO-235I/AAAAAAAABSE/O-aHB42V6ws/s320/Roberts+Bayou+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Roberts Bayou</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AgedLq2pYZg/UYB-r9J2bvI/AAAAAAAABR8/0KtUShxZ-gM/s1600/IMG_0682.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AgedLq2pYZg/UYB-r9J2bvI/AAAAAAAABR8/0KtUShxZ-gM/s320/IMG_0682.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
Gumbo anchored in Roberts Bayou<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LYjjtqwDgN8/UYB_CnEveHI/AAAAAAAABSM/02Ksi7TQEnM/s1600/Roberts+Bayou+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LYjjtqwDgN8/UYB_CnEveHI/AAAAAAAABSM/02Ksi7TQEnM/s320/Roberts+Bayou+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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View of the bayou over our bow</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DF-qyJYen0I/UYB_LvMRBgI/AAAAAAAABSU/U5lz_H_X2io/s1600/IMG_0679.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-DF-qyJYen0I/UYB_LvMRBgI/AAAAAAAABSU/U5lz_H_X2io/s320/IMG_0679.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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Pirate's cove and a few of the dogs, there are about 7-8 of them, all big but friendly and gentle</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9qsxFaBxl4/UYB_rqO7K8I/AAAAAAAABSc/fY2cX-kjZDU/s1600/IMG_0681.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-W9qsxFaBxl4/UYB_rqO7K8I/AAAAAAAABSc/fY2cX-kjZDU/s320/IMG_0681.JPG" width="239" /></a></div>
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This girl rested her chin on my knee and just stared at my burger. </div>
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I had to give her half, who could resist those eyes</div>
stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-23737600664909097102013-04-29T20:08:00.002-07:002013-04-29T20:08:43.535-07:00Monday April 29, 2013<br />
Palafox Marina to Anchorage near Perdido Key's Redfish Point mile 177 ICW. <br />
Wind is from the east 10-15 mph, there is a light chop on the bay<br />
We left Palafox Marina after pumping out the holding tank, it was 10:45 we only have a 2 hour or less trip to our next stop on Perdido Key, just East of Redfish Point in Grand Lagoon mile 177 ICW. <br />
Our first anchor the did not hold due to grass on the bottom so we moved nearby and got a good set. We have been in this area before usually the shelling is good so we launched the dinghy and rode to the beach there weren't many shells and most of them were broken. The beach and water were beautiful but the water was cold. <br />
Later I cooked some chicken curry on the BBQ for dinner. The wind died down some right around sunset I hope it stays that way for a good while.<br />
To see our location click on the link below, if you select the "Satellite" view you will see how nice the beaches are here.<br />
<a href="http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=BtbWZ/30.31989N/87.33868W">http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=BtbWZ/30.31989N/87.33868W</a><br />
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Some of today's pictures below:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WsA0lAFjIUQ/UX8wlc3r7RI/AAAAAAAABQs/Tv8-Gf2ewvg/s1600/Pensacola+Navy+docks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-WsA0lAFjIUQ/UX8wlc3r7RI/AAAAAAAABQs/Tv8-Gf2ewvg/s320/Pensacola+Navy+docks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Pensacola Navy yard, at the left of the frame you can see water being sprayed</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9tUKpARKKEE/UX8wufxB1qI/AAAAAAAABQ0/B22a-sKjenE/s1600/Firemen+Spraying+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9tUKpARKKEE/UX8wufxB1qI/AAAAAAAABQ0/B22a-sKjenE/s320/Firemen+Spraying+2.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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There were fire trucks and firemen on a very tall boom</div>
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I believe they were testing or a fire drill, in any </div>
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case it is a huge volume of water being sprayed </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sC37XwgyhYg/UX8w4QemmaI/AAAAAAAABQ8/AU8gX7p_vuE/s1600/Pensacola+Lighthouse+&+tanks.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-sC37XwgyhYg/UX8w4QemmaI/AAAAAAAABQ8/AU8gX7p_vuE/s320/Pensacola+Lighthouse+&+tanks.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Pensacola Lighthouse<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fkeddCcBrEM/UX8w9nTcDeI/AAAAAAAABRE/mYFtSFzUGc4/s1600/ICW+West+of+Pensacola+Pass.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fkeddCcBrEM/UX8w9nTcDeI/AAAAAAAABRE/mYFtSFzUGc4/s320/ICW+West+of+Pensacola+Pass.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A narrow channel, westbound, of the ICW just west of Pensacola Pass </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJUiF_uMwao/UX8xG0nrMcI/AAAAAAAABRM/OUpp6d4Bhww/s1600/Anchorage+near+Redfish+Point.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-KJUiF_uMwao/UX8xG0nrMcI/AAAAAAAABRM/OUpp6d4Bhww/s320/Anchorage+near+Redfish+Point.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Looking South from the boat at out spot at anchor</div>
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the gulf is just across the sand dunes, less than 100 yards.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GNqgrHDufK4/UX8xNTwFXAI/AAAAAAAABRU/4V0SCHh89cw/s1600/04-29-2013+Beach+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GNqgrHDufK4/UX8xNTwFXAI/AAAAAAAABRU/4V0SCHh89cw/s320/04-29-2013+Beach+1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Perdido Key, miles of empty beaches, the sand is white as sugar and so fine it squeaks as you walk on it.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5vCFIz3wVt8/UX8xTsomNrI/AAAAAAAABRc/qOPHBihBbRw/s1600/Anchorage+Sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-5vCFIz3wVt8/UX8xTsomNrI/AAAAAAAABRc/qOPHBihBbRw/s320/Anchorage+Sunset.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunset from the boatstevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-37819145496569796832013-04-28T18:49:00.000-07:002013-04-28T18:49:10.275-07:00Saturday and Sunday April 27 & 28, 2013<br />
Pensacola<br />
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Ray and Tena, friends from Thibodaux drove over for the weekend, we had a nice time with them. We touristed around Pensacola and the beach both days along with a great dinner Saturday night at a Brazilian Rodizio restaurant then lunch Sunday at the Fish House, a very good seafood resaturant. They dropped us of at the boat after lunch Sunday, they called when they arrived back in Thibodaux about 5:30. A really good weekend, even the weather cooperated.<br />
Our plan is to leave tomorrow, Monday, morning and anchor out at a very nice spot not far from Pensacola. If the weather cooperates we'll spent the night there before heading west on Tuesday.<br />
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Here are a couple of pictures from the Marina<br />
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yMYPFDshuKk/UX3QMsFt2TI/AAAAAAAABQc/Xt3ZMPBknao/s1600/Palafox+Marina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-yMYPFDshuKk/UX3QMsFt2TI/AAAAAAAABQc/Xt3ZMPBknao/s320/Palafox+Marina.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Palaxox marina</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9dR0wDG-2BQ/UX3P7f0Ue0I/AAAAAAAABQU/GAIvSmuaqyE/s1600/04-27-2013+Palafox+Blue+Heron.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-9dR0wDG-2BQ/UX3P7f0Ue0I/AAAAAAAABQU/GAIvSmuaqyE/s320/04-27-2013+Palafox+Blue+Heron.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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One of the resident Great Blue Herons at Palafox</div>
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the picture was taken out of our boat's door</div>
stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-14258135587118492942013-04-26T20:29:00.000-07:002013-04-26T20:29:08.152-07:00Friday April 27, 2013<br />
Quietwater Beach Anchorage Santa Rosa Island to Palafox Marina Pensacola <br />
10 miles today.<br />
We had a rough night at the anchor last night, the north wind incerased just after dark and shifted around to the East which made it have a strong effect where we were anchored open to the east. It was rough but the anchor held well all night long I did wake up several times during the night to check it. When we pulled the anchor up I found it had caught a long anchor rope which had been on the bottom it had some chain but no anchor.<br />
It was choppy out in the sound and bay on the short trip to Palafox. Palafox is a nice marina right in downtown Pensacola We walked around town then went to a seafood market where we had lunch.<br />
After that walked around town some more then I washed the boat. <br />
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To see our location click on the link below<br />
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<a href="http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=BrRGc/30.40343N/87.21411W">http://www.findmespot.com/mylocation/?id=BrRGc/30.40343N/87.21411W</a><br />
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Some of today's pictures below<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8yFY0Sv1tSc/UXtCcq9ttaI/AAAAAAAABPc/3IOS53cbRes/s1600/Anchor+rope+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8yFY0Sv1tSc/UXtCcq9ttaI/AAAAAAAABPc/3IOS53cbRes/s320/Anchor+rope+1.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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All of this rope was brought up from the bottom on our anchor. I cut off the chain and knotted part and wound up with 150' of good 1/2" rope</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RomdJ4VBMaQ/UXtCpEJfK0I/AAAAAAAABPk/KWBQp45BS9I/s1600/sunrise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RomdJ4VBMaQ/UXtCpEJfK0I/AAAAAAAABPk/KWBQp45BS9I/s320/sunrise.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunrise over another cruiser annchored at Quietwater beach, the water has gotten choppy.</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ni2Wmb3-X0o/UXtCtuJYy_I/AAAAAAAABPs/TZnf42r-lSs/s1600/House+on+ICW.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ni2Wmb3-X0o/UXtCtuJYy_I/AAAAAAAABPs/TZnf42r-lSs/s320/House+on+ICW.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This huge house overlooks the ICW on Santa Rosa Sound</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SezXl9jAqL4/UXtCwOly8PI/AAAAAAAABP0/FwPfpyljNgU/s1600/Technip's+Global+1200+lift+ship.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-SezXl9jAqL4/UXtCwOly8PI/AAAAAAAABP0/FwPfpyljNgU/s320/Technip's+Global+1200+lift+ship.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is Technips Global 1200 heavy lift crane ship doing some work at pensacola harbor </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-1Ai2WvozJnI/UXtC1520mOI/AAAAAAAABP8/rS0xinZuTw4/s1600/sunrise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aKqqHGKO43s/UXtDFx1yEfI/AAAAAAAABQE/r6W0dHfb1TE/s1600/Sunset+from+Palafox+marina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aKqqHGKO43s/UXtDFx1yEfI/AAAAAAAABQE/r6W0dHfb1TE/s320/Sunset+from+Palafox+marina.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunset at palafox Marina</div>
stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-83303407138054737872013-04-25T19:29:00.002-07:002013-04-25T19:59:26.134-07:00Thursday April 25, 2013<br />
BlueWater Bay Marina Mile 230 +5 to Quietwater Beach Santa Rosa Island mile 190<br />
45 Miles today.<br />
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We left Blue Water Bay Marina at 7:30 this morning it was cool and overcast wind 10 miles out of the North East. The Chocktawhatchee Bay had a light chop as we got to Ft. Walton where we entered the ICW and it was smooth.<br />
We arrived at Quietwater Beach Santa Rosa Island at 1:20 we put out the anchor and spent the rest of the day on the boat dinner aboard. Santa Rosa is a popular tourist beach, we werent far from "The Strip". There are lots of restaurants and bars nearby tonight the music from one of the bars can be heard out at the boat it is not bad either.<br />
The plan is to go to Pensacola's Palafox Marian tomorrow. Our friends Ray and Tena are driving over on Saturday and leaving Sunday so we will spend some time with them.<br />
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To see our location at Quietwater Beach click on the link below: If it won't open copy and paste the link on your browser <br />
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<a href="https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30.33710,-87.14081&ll=30.33710,-87.14081&ie=UTF8&z=12">https://maps.google.com/maps?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&q=30.33710,-87.14081&ll=30.33710,-87.14081&ie=UTF8&z=12</a><br />
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Some of today's pictures below:<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9cRdVo5wwFM/UXnjpiMdxwI/AAAAAAAABOU/dq5PCEbYC8Y/s1600/Leaving+Bluewater+Bay+Marina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9cRdVo5wwFM/UXnjpiMdxwI/AAAAAAAABOU/dq5PCEbYC8Y/s320/Leaving+Bluewater+Bay+Marina.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
Leaving Bluewater Bay overcast skies<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cWOwB0zz1-c/UXnj0_ivFkI/AAAAAAAABOc/nrDoagwFjuY/s1600/Nice+boat+shed!.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cWOwB0zz1-c/UXnj0_ivFkI/AAAAAAAABOc/nrDoagwFjuY/s320/Nice+boat+shed!.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A nice boat shed along the ICW</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPTnQ5qqFOg/UXnj7YsPbZI/AAAAAAAABOk/w8kc2zmCAZo/s1600/Porpoises.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-EPTnQ5qqFOg/UXnj7YsPbZI/AAAAAAAABOk/w8kc2zmCAZo/s320/Porpoises.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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We saw quite a few porpoises today here are a couple coming to check out the boat</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4nEBw3k9kZs/UXnkFhsFLqI/AAAAAAAABOs/BWp3BQXpLMU/s1600/Hobie+Cat+and+Ferris+wheel+Santa+Rosa+Island.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4nEBw3k9kZs/UXnkFhsFLqI/AAAAAAAABOs/BWp3BQXpLMU/s320/Hobie+Cat+and+Ferris+wheel+Santa+Rosa+Island.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A nice Hobie Cat and the ferris wheel at Santa Rosa Island</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtTLabuumps/UXnkKZe8FwI/AAAAAAAABO0/fdzyGn-ltoA/s1600/Pirates.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-wtTLabuumps/UXnkKZe8FwI/AAAAAAAABO0/fdzyGn-ltoA/s320/Pirates.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Pirates!</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-85NjnSW33SQ/UXnkPoKuc3I/AAAAAAAABO8/rLf3eoFgScg/s1600/Sunset.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-85NjnSW33SQ/UXnkPoKuc3I/AAAAAAAABO8/rLf3eoFgScg/s320/Sunset.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunset</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hC-JmH-FrOo/UXnlwsufoEI/AAAAAAAABPI/5wtG7qGc54U/s1600/Moonrise.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hC-JmH-FrOo/UXnlwsufoEI/AAAAAAAABPI/5wtG7qGc54U/s320/Moonrise.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Moon rise, the moon looked Huge!</div>
stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-7530692134386705512013-04-24T19:57:00.004-07:002013-04-24T20:03:47.424-07:00April 24, 2013 Bluewater Bay Marina<br />
We spent the day at the marina today We had planned to leave but the weather looked iffy with a large front heading this way from the West. It wound up not being bad so we'll plan on leaving tomorrow. We did some work on the boat I got some interesting pictures around the docks then we had dinner on board.<br />
To see our position at Bluewater Bay marina Valparaiso, Fl click on the link below.<br />
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<a href="http://fms.ws/Bpf-m/30.49608N/86.44617W">http://fms.ws/Bpf-m/30.49608N/86.44617W</a><br />
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Some bird pictures from the marina docks. The fishing was good!<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yAaQGOheCCg/UXiY2juSMJI/AAAAAAAABNc/YxJ4n4iw2xI/s1600/green+heron+on+line+BB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yAaQGOheCCg/UXiY2juSMJI/AAAAAAAABNc/YxJ4n4iw2xI/s320/green+heron+on+line+BB.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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A Gren Heron fishing from a boat's dock line</div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUaIdX3Ham0/UXiY3yrMoPI/AAAAAAAABNk/e60KhXFhUVQ/s1600/Green+Heron+1+BB+(2).JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AUaIdX3Ham0/UXiY3yrMoPI/AAAAAAAABNk/e60KhXFhUVQ/s320/Green+Heron+1+BB+(2).JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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getting ready</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x3Ag5sy7PP0/UXiY8GHVGGI/AAAAAAAABNs/DiEcplMvW3k/s1600/Green+Heron+2+BB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-x3Ag5sy7PP0/UXiY8GHVGGI/AAAAAAAABNs/DiEcplMvW3k/s320/Green+Heron+2+BB.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
got one<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fGZIB6EeiKk/UXiY9uOtW7I/AAAAAAAABN0/fESaoVUNi2U/s1600/Green+Heron+3+BB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-fGZIB6EeiKk/UXiY9uOtW7I/AAAAAAAABN0/fESaoVUNi2U/s320/Green+Heron+3+BB.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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I watched this guy catch and eat about ten of these small minnows</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLT_Lfu0_30/UXiZFmXgt-I/AAAAAAAABN8/WzM0aYS6Wos/s1600/Osprey+w+mullett+in+tree+BB.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cLT_Lfu0_30/UXiZFmXgt-I/AAAAAAAABN8/WzM0aYS6Wos/s320/Osprey+w+mullett+in+tree+BB.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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An Osprey in tree eating a Mullet, if you click on this picture to enlarge it you'll </div>
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see the fishes tail under the limb. A crow was perched above hassling the Osprey for a share. </div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kzW0P6BL69I/UXiZME0gQfI/AAAAAAAABOE/64_FQ8UQUgk/s1600/Great+Blue+heron+Bluewater+Bay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-kzW0P6BL69I/UXiZME0gQfI/AAAAAAAABOE/64_FQ8UQUgk/s320/Great+Blue+heron+Bluewater+Bay.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This Great Blue Heron hangs around the docks to catch fish or beg left over bait off of the human fishers he repays them by "going" on their boats, they can make a mess!</div>
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<br />stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-51204035970461062602013-04-23T19:34:00.000-07:002013-04-23T19:34:03.934-07:00Tuesday April 23, 2013 <br />
Panama City Marina, mile 290 to Bluewater Bay Marina, Valparaiso, FL, Mile 235 + 5 miles<br />
60 miles today.<br />
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We got up early this morning to get ready to leave the marina, we left our spot on the dock and moved over to the pumpout station the pumpout went off without any problems and we left the marina at 7:15. it was breezy 10-15 out of the east but it didn't cause any problems in the Bays or the ICW The tide was moving in our favor, giving us about an extra MPH most of the way.<br />
We crssed the bays west of Panama City, then the ICW canal and last into Choctawhatchee Bay and Rocky bayou to Bluewater Bay Marina this is a small Family run place it has a good restaurant, which unfortunately was closed today. They also have a "courtesy car" which they loan to boaters staying there. We borrowed the car to go to a restaurant for dinner and to pick up a few things we needed in town. We plan a short trip tomorrow so don't need to leave early.<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7KzRn9oxmZ0/UXdBEsCXEdI/AAAAAAAABMk/EDoIL2pgb54/s1600/Mercury+test+boat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7KzRn9oxmZ0/UXdBEsCXEdI/AAAAAAAABMk/EDoIL2pgb54/s320/Mercury+test+boat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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This is a test boat for Mercury Outboard motors, they run up and down the bay in Panama City all day. Not a bad job, if you enjoy fast boating</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0DytpUydEKo/UXdBHFV_oXI/AAAAAAAABMs/ht4PZihly70/s1600/Panama+City+Port.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0DytpUydEKo/UXdBHFV_oXI/AAAAAAAABMs/ht4PZihly70/s320/Panama+City+Port.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Container ships in the Port of Panama City</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-62dWPDaBxNE/UXdBSG9DjCI/AAAAAAAABM0/gEUF7_gcudg/s1600/Cormorants+on+Marker.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-62dWPDaBxNE/UXdBSG9DjCI/AAAAAAAABM0/gEUF7_gcudg/s320/Cormorants+on+Marker.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Cormorants on a marker in the bay, the guy on the bottom didn't choose his spot,</div>
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right under the others, very well it might get messy down there.</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dt6xW51MGuo/UXdBZc8AlDI/AAAAAAAABM8/nmMLyIXctuA/s1600/New+US+Flag.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dt6xW51MGuo/UXdBZc8AlDI/AAAAAAAABM8/nmMLyIXctuA/s320/New+US+Flag.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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On the ICW canal after transiting West Bay.</div>
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We have a new US flag, the old one was getting frayed.</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uTkof0nOkTM/UXdBkb7PRtI/AAAAAAAABNE/kJHx66WmiH8/s1600/Gumbo+Bluewater+Bay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uTkof0nOkTM/UXdBkb7PRtI/AAAAAAAABNE/kJHx66WmiH8/s320/Gumbo+Bluewater+Bay.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>
Gumbo at Bluewater Bay Marina<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-WiQT9uf8U/UXdBwJMTOQI/AAAAAAAABNM/Ao2hV80bWgc/s1600/Sunset+Bluewater+Bay.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-E-WiQT9uf8U/UXdBwJMTOQI/AAAAAAAABNM/Ao2hV80bWgc/s320/Sunset+Bluewater+Bay.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunset at eh marina, there are some really nice sailboats here</div>
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stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-6118806778509165272013-04-22T19:19:00.000-07:002013-04-22T19:27:45.442-07:00Panama City Marina<br />
Monday April 4, 2013<br />
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We returned from Sarasota Saturday evening after a 7&1/2 hr drive. We had a good time there spending some time and having dinner with friends and fellow boaters Berwick, Alexis and another couple from Houma, La. <br />
We spent Friday with friends of mine who live in Sarasota, we have been friends since we were in grade school in Puerto Rico many years ago. We cooked a Paella and had a great day together. <br />
On Sunday there was a Civil War Reenactment of a Union assault on a salt works near the marina<br />
below are a few pictures taken over the weekend.<br />
We plan to leave here Tuesday morning and will start daily posts to the blog again.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-bhlevCdic/UXXtBIuJ8XI/AAAAAAAABLk/8W7Mbzm_a6o/s1600/2013+paella+Rosatti.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-O-bhlevCdic/UXXtBIuJ8XI/AAAAAAAABLk/8W7Mbzm_a6o/s320/2013+paella+Rosatti.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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The Paella we cooked Friday in Sarasota<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qSVXKFyOKFM/UXXtJwwzMqI/AAAAAAAABLs/za_kWCzX-ys/s1600/reenactment+flags.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-qSVXKFyOKFM/UXXtJwwzMqI/AAAAAAAABLs/za_kWCzX-ys/s320/reenactment+flags.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Flags at the reenactment</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-upf8YHjOgQg/UXXtOpFLdmI/AAAAAAAABL0/nelFtr-xOGk/s1600/Reenactment+salt+kettles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-upf8YHjOgQg/UXXtOpFLdmI/AAAAAAAABL0/nelFtr-xOGk/s320/Reenactment+salt+kettles.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Kettles used to boil seawater for salt a basic necessity in the Civil War since it was </div>
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used for preserving food and had other important uses.</div>
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The one on the left is similar to the Sugar Kettles seen in Louisiana where they were used to boil sugar cane juice to make sugar </div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JOpHOBvWlw4/UXXtRXjnNxI/AAAAAAAABL8/ghMYK5irhJ0/s1600/Steam+launch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JOpHOBvWlw4/UXXtRXjnNxI/AAAAAAAABL8/ghMYK5irhJ0/s320/Steam+launch.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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A replica of one of the launches used by Union forces in the assault</div>
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on the Panama City Salt works. </div>
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDtDccVF0pA/UXXtTq3JXYI/AAAAAAAABME/64Wtw7ZSeDQ/s1600/reenactment+muskets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-kDtDccVF0pA/UXXtTq3JXYI/AAAAAAAABME/64Wtw7ZSeDQ/s320/reenactment+muskets.jpg" width="239" /></a></div>
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Civil War era muskets</div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PQlcOsShea8/UXXtX3gxmmI/AAAAAAAABMM/oqXNFBBNq9A/s1600/04-22-2013+sunset+w+boat.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-PQlcOsShea8/UXXtX3gxmmI/AAAAAAAABMM/oqXNFBBNq9A/s320/04-22-2013+sunset+w+boat.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Panama City sunsets</div>
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<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gXKB22EJ7QY/UXXtffykFgI/AAAAAAAABMU/y16v9DT8LE0/s1600/Sunet+zoomed+P.+City.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gXKB22EJ7QY/UXXtffykFgI/AAAAAAAABMU/y16v9DT8LE0/s320/Sunet+zoomed+P.+City.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-39995004261378175842013-04-16T19:21:00.004-07:002013-04-16T19:21:53.585-07:00Tuesday April 16, 2013<br />
Panama City Marina<br />
I picked up a rental car this morning and we visited a couple of nearby marinas I had read about to see if we wante to use them on future trips.<br />
Today two more trawelrs arrived at our dock the people in them are cruising the "Great Loop" this is a trip Up the East coast into the Great Lakes then down the Mississipi, and other rivers down to the Gulf of Mexico at Mobile Bay. When one makes it back to his starting poing the loop is completed it is a good long trip best done in stages over a year or more due to the cold winters and frozen water up North.<br />
Tomorrow we will go to Sarasota FL in the car to visit friends, we will be coming back here on Saturday night continue our boat trip West on Mondy or Tuesday. <br />
I will not be posting updates here until Tuesday the 23rd of April, please come back then!<br />
A couple of todays pictures below:<br />
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<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NR-PuK9h1t0/UW4Caj7RkCI/AAAAAAAABLI/kqdigCYyDog/s1600/3+Trawlers++P.C.+Marina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-NR-PuK9h1t0/UW4Caj7RkCI/AAAAAAAABLI/kqdigCYyDog/s320/3+Trawlers++P.C.+Marina.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Two more trawlers, docked in back od Gumbo, arrived today </div>
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJVdgnW7GXQ/UW4Dof_n4fI/AAAAAAAABLU/Bk8WVGLqjas/s1600/sunset+2+PC+marina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZJVdgnW7GXQ/UW4Dof_n4fI/AAAAAAAABLU/Bk8WVGLqjas/s320/sunset+2+PC+marina.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunset over the bay</div>
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gTLtziQn0Ak/UW4CbW1HKiI/AAAAAAAABLQ/glnI7kx8CBU/s1600/Sunset+PC+Marian.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-gTLtziQn0Ak/UW4CbW1HKiI/AAAAAAAABLQ/glnI7kx8CBU/s320/Sunset+PC+Marian.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunset over the park memorial, the US Flag is at half staff to honor the </div>
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Boston Marathon bombing victims </div>
stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1392753768542100862.post-37715332081507339252013-04-15T19:17:00.001-07:002013-04-15T19:17:44.990-07:00Monday April 15, 2013<br />
Port St joe marina to Panama City Marina <br />
43 miles today<br />
We got up early and got ready to leave before the wind picked up much. We left the marina at 7:10 went out of the marina and into the bay then west a short distance on the ship channel to the canal that would bring us back up to the ICW. About 6 miles later we were back on the ICW westbound everything went well there was little traffic and the weather was warm and not windy at all. by11:45 we were at the Downtown Panama City Marina where we had reserved a slip. We had lunch on board then walked into town. When we returned from town I changed the transmission oil, a hot job as it needs to be done while the oil is still hot so it can be pumped out. <br />
The Panama City Marina is nice, good docks and deep water, there is a security guard on duty at night which is good. Panama City's downtown is a bit run down there are lots of vacancies in the buildings where shopd and restaurants have closed, there still are some good ones left though.<br />
to see our location today click on the link below:<br />
<a href="http://fms.ws/BjOtE/30.15073N/85.66479W">http://fms.ws/BjOtE/30.15073N/85.66479W</a><br />
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Here are a couple of todays pictures<br />
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<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hFDKi6JSfFg/UWyzf2hCkHI/AAAAAAAABKs/pbiw3P2LHhY/s1600/sunset+Panama+city+Marina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hFDKi6JSfFg/UWyzf2hCkHI/AAAAAAAABKs/pbiw3P2LHhY/s320/sunset+Panama+city+Marina.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Sunset from the marina sea wall.<br />
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<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nOXnqed9FBk/UWyziqsB7QI/AAAAAAAABK0/v9QkZSkswKk/s1600/Gumbo+Panama+City+Marina.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nOXnqed9FBk/UWyziqsB7QI/AAAAAAAABK0/v9QkZSkswKk/s320/Gumbo+Panama+City+Marina.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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Gumbo, the smallest boat on the dock.</div>
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stevenshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08800637868470031992noreply@blogger.com0