Aplachicola, a great visit!

The intercoastal waterway is so beautiful.  We left early in the morning to beat the heat.  I really enjoyed our new additons of full screens and the remote for the autopilot.  Gary was able to sit on the front of the boat and watch for crab pots and I was able to enjoy the scenery.  We have a great view of coming out to Lake Wimico.  Boat traffic was heavy, with holiday power boats throwing up 4-5 foot wakes.  Really unsafe in the canals.  But, a great captain watches for the fools so we were fine.

enjoying the screens

Lake Wimico

Gary steering with his remote

beautiful screens, no bugs!

docked at Aplachicola Marina

Port St. Joe to Applachicola

Arriving at Port St. Joe Marina, anchoring on the roll!

The Lighthouse

They have a great marina and some shops within walking.  Loved Bluewater Outfitters, great prices and selections.

We went in the dingy for lunch and laundry

We spent a rolly couple of days at Port St. Joe, but we did have a good time using the sails.  I had a little mal de mare as it had been a while, but I knew where to go and what to do!

Crew hard at work

Leaving St. Andrew Marina

Windows finished, time to check reefing and all sail lines before going to Port St. Joe.  Thanks to Linda Nixon for sending the many "lines off" pictures she took.  Steve, of course showed up with a Bon Voyage package.

Steve, Gary's brother

We were leaving a lot of happy memories and starting out to follow a dream we had had for over 10 years!  Then we worked with Anderson to get the sail lines adjusted.

Every thing go!

Next stop Port St. Joe!

Port St. Joe Bound!

Finally all the upgrades were done that could be done in Panama City.  The new windows are super.  So much light below and tinted too!   The last night we walked to the park and took pictures of the 4 headed palm tree and the old sential tree that has stood there for over 250 years. Our friends from the owner dock came down to have a sundowner with us.

Gary and Jan ready to go!

In front of the 4 headed palm

Out to shell Island for a week of relaxing until we came back for the window installation.  We had been working so hard I really missed just going to work!  Peace and quiet.  Only returning to land for water and trash delivery.  Cruising life will be very different from living at a dock with transportation to pick up every little thing you need.  Monday came and the windows were going to go in Tuesday morning.  Our son Brian ran us all over town for last minute parts and supplies.

Quiet time at Shell Island on the hook

Robert installing new windows

Next up, the final final goodby and checking reefing lines!

Tennessee log cabin visit

We had a wonderful visit with my sister at Center Hill Lake. There wasn't any internet or cellphone service, just peaceful quiet lake waters and beautiful trees.  My sis, Virgie and I had a great time talking and watching old movies.  I had some great hikes to the lake with a four legged friend, Strawberry Shortcake.  Terrific firepit nights and my sister's famous potato salad, YUM.  Wonderful to see Tennesse's green scenery again.

great bedrooms

Beautiful views

Virgie and her Smitty

 

Lots of final projects and fun

We decided to get as much upgrade work done in Panama City as we could, knowing the vendors and hoping we would spend less.  Panama Marine got our upgrade to 50 AMP service done with the addition of some new gauges and panels in the Nav station.  CB Sails got our main sheet washed and repaired with their usually great work.  They had done our full enclosure.  We took down the strat glass and put up our screens in the cockpit.  I started my favorite thing, varnishing.  Due to poor health I hadn't done any in 2014, but it wasn't as bad as I thought when I took the canvas covers off.
The worse jobs were all the paperwork details to accomplish.  Nothing seems to be able to be dealt with when you retire until 30 days.  Then everyone wants hard copies sent with your signature.
Gary and I are looking forward to staging at Shell Island on Monday.  We have to wait for our new deadlight windows to come in and return to get them installed.  another week of peace and quiet waters, I hope so!

Gary always seems to be up or down checking things out,!

Easter Fun 2015

Enjoyed a  blowy ride in the dingy to Shell Island to meet up with Steve, Amanda, and grand-girls.  Also Jesse, Shannon, and Olivia for their Island Sunday.  Lots of fun in the sun, and Easter Egg Hunting.

Steve and Annamarie flying over to the island

Katelyn with a sweet smile 

Line up of all the loot

The hunt is on!

Sisters and buds!

Gary and I had a great time enjoying the day and hearing from all the family and friends what they did on the special day.  Hope you had a great one too!