Carrabelle, Gary's favorite!

We arrived in Carrabelle with a friendly dolphin, who was enjoying running under our boat in the wake.  Stayed at the famous, or infamous, C-Quarters Marina in time for the snapper tournment.  Gary's Mom, Jane, and her husband, Vance drove down from Tallahassee to enjoy the great swing on the porch and a fish dinner before they left.  We started having weather so could not go on to Tarpon Springs yet, but a great place to stay, until we can make the big bend passage.

Carrabelle has the smallest police station.  Pictures of the police  are inside.

Mom and Vance and I try out the best seat.  There is always a breeze and shade.

Mom and relax on some of the art work at the pavalion

Vance and Gary in front of the High Roller!

Beautiful views from the pavalion

Dolphin artwork

Ducks at C-Quarters

Snapper weighins

Can you see it?  A white squirrel!

The famous wood swing

Really home folks here

Miss Em in her berth at night

Did he win?

Next stop Tarpon Springs

Walking around Apalachicola

The first night after any hop is to eat out and enjoy where you are.  We moved into the marina the first night and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings

All set up and ready to go out

Boss Oyster's famous crab cake!

Tamara's Cafe had live music, great food and Drinks!

The next days we used working on boat jobs and paperwork.  I got to use the golf cart at the marina to do some shopping,  The houses in the little town are incredible.  I thought downtown was quaint with its little shops.  On the way to groceries we got some shots of victorian mansions.

 The weather was setting in so it was time to leave.  Next stop C quarters in Carrabelle

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