Dolphin Mania!

Today we went from Bay Point Marina in Panama City to St. Joe's. Great ride. First there were the very interesting fighter planes from St. Andrews Air Force Base, then the DOLPHINS! There were following the boat, jumping in the air - having a great time.
I tried to take pictures but they are so fast for a digital camera but here are my tries. You might be able to zoom in and see more. There is also a picture of a barge dredging on ICW.

Panama City & Visitors

On our way to Panama City we went thru Florida's version of the Grand Canyon - beautiful sand bluffs. Then safely onto Panama City First night stayed at Panama City Municipal Docks. It was conveniently located within walking distance to old Panama City. We walked to dinner at Feruci's - delicious. Stayed there 2 days and then moved to the other side of the bay to Bay Point Marine with a Marriott and golf. Ron & Ei came down on Friday 2/15/08. We have had a good time and have gone out in boat looking for dolphins. Last night we anchored out and cooked hamburgers. The pictures show first how the water is so beautiful - colors of turquoise and blues. Then a LARGE ship that went in front of us. If you zoom in you can see a small cruiser to get the idea of how big .
Hope all is well with all of you. We will be staying her until Wednesday then on to St. Joe's I believe.

Welcome To Florida

Arrived in Florida! Great weather - last night anchored out at Little Sabine Bay - good anchorage. Then on to Destin area. We are at Blue Water Marina. Saw our first lighthouse. Also, the plane picture was right by us - not my "cup of tea". Have seen lots of dolphins but can't get a picture yet. Too quick!

Margaritaville & Jimmy Buffett

So here we are! At LuLu's - the sister of Jimmy Buffett. Actually it is in Gulf Shores, not Margaritaville but certainly a very popular place. We had a great ride today across Mobile Bay with light chop in parts and smooth in others. Arrived here for the night and tomorrow on again! Having a great time and really enjoying your comments.

Another tornado

In Columbus, Ms. when we were there a tornado landed 15 miles from us. This am we wake to the sound of a tornado warning whistle. I always wonder where on a boat I should go so I decided the best thing was to stay in bed! Anyhow we are still here in Dog River Marina and all in one piece. Here is a picture of Out & About with it's new antenas on. We can now radio to Mars and they will respond! This other picture is of Dog River Marina. We hope to be leaving for Gulfshores tomorrow and LuLu's who is the sister of Jimmy Buffett - weather and boat permitting.

Views on the way into Mobile Bay

A Bridge with its own personal opener

More Barges - all sizes on trip into Mobile Bay

Lots of Barges, coal, woodchips work on the River

Some pictures of Demopolis

Top to bottom
Tellico Lady from Maryville
Out & About ready to leave Columbus

Getting you'all up to date

Anchoroed out with Tellico Lady beyond Heflin Lock. We anchored stern to stern and worked really well. Blew into Dempolis on 1/30/08.. Quite windy but docked ok. Not lots in Dempolis but went out and bought supplies. Left 2/1/08 to go to Bobby's Fish Camp. We left with regrets without Tellico Lady who had decided not to go any further and head back up to Tennessee.

We arrived at Bobby Fishcamp - sounds intriguing - but guess I had overestimaed the "camp" part. (see pictures) . One dock that all boats tie off of. There was already an 82' boat there called Deck of Cards and we tied on to her. We got to go inside the boat and it was something else - had its own captain and crew cabins and private entrance for them. We got there before the bad weather and had catfish at Bobby's. Then the rain, storms came and we mopped up at windows. We apparently have a few windows that leak when the raid in coming at a 90/angle.

Fueled their and left the next morning for a beautiful spot off the river where we anchored for the night. Very quiet and we didn't move much so that and 1/2 bottle of wine and I slept great!

I have lots of pictures of barges. The river is constantly being worked up and down - lots of coal, wood chips, and grains.
The barges travel all night long.

Next morning (2/2/2008) we arrived in Mobile. What a change - from the quiet anchorage of last night to the hustle of the barges and ships on the Bay. Saw my first dolphin but was too surpised and slow to take a picture. Arrived at Dog River Marine and borrowed their courtesy car and believe it or not - went to Mardi Gras! Mobile is the original place where Mardi Gras started. We saw a great parade, got lots of necklaces thrown at us and had a delecious dinner.

Sunday we cleaned boat and watched Super Bowl - yea Eli!

Hurry up and wait

So we get up early - btw did you know that if you get up at 5:00 AM you can eat 6 or 7 meals in a day!. Anyhow we got up early because we wanted to get thru the next lock before it got busy. Well, we were too late. We had to wait for 3 barges to clear the locks before we could get in. Listening to the barge talk is exciting and humorous. Some you can understand but "Joe Cain" was something else. He didn't even know what was on his barges when the lockmaster asked him and then one of his workers fell in!

But we waited and eventually made it thru the lock. Went to Marina Cove and walked to an antebellum home and a historical working paddle boat. Next day we left early to go to Bevill Lock. Had to defrost windows with hairdryer. (my idea!).
When we got to Bevill Lock there were 2 barges already there. So we went to a supposedly "anchorage". Well it was a good one - we got stuck in the mud! We managed to back out with lots of tries and then we found a better spot and anchored, waiting for barges to go thru.

Out & About out & about again

Well we are starting the second part of our great adventure. We drove back to Columbus, Ms., on 1/27/08 to get back on the boat. We met some really nice fellow loopers, Robet & Patty Mitchell (who have a Tollycraft like ours), Brenda & Ken Bloomfiled, on Tellico Lady from Maryville and Graham on Sea Shell. We cleaned and did some minor maintenance and plan to leave traveling with Tellico Lady on Friday, 1/27/08. Weather has been cold with freezing rain! Can't wait for the sun.