That's the question I have asked almost every morning for the last 6 weeks. Yesterday several boats here decided that we would all move to Apalachicola today and then the "weather wags" were saying MAYBE a chance to cross on Thursday. I told Capt....don't tell anyone until we are underway....well he announced our plans to the family yesterday,....and this morning it was all cancelled! The window closed and we were told to stay put until next week....AGAIN! It seems that the water gets more and more unpredictable in December and January.....(as anyone who knows Florida, these are the coldest 2 months also). We have paid a monthly rate here for the last 2 months and decided that we would stay because we've paid....until Thursday this week. Then we will move (via inland waterway) to Apalachicola and wait it out there for awhile. This gives us a change of scenery and puts us closer to our goal of Clearwater by 50 miles.....at 10 mph that is a considerable amount of time that we will not be out in the open ocean. AND it is oyster fest this weekend there.....so something new to see and do! We returned the rental car yesterday that we had signed up for one week, and ended up keeping it 7 weeks, fueled up the boat and pumped out....so WE are ready, just seems like the wind and waves are not ready to give up just yet. Patience!!! but I am running low....the fact that it is dreary and colder here than in Colorado Springs doesn't help...and we've seen just about every movie at the theater and The Price is Right and Wheel of Fortune are now highlights of our day!
We still "have plans".....(haha, should know better by now)......but do have a reservation for the month of February in Key West...and then still plan to go to Bahamas for March. So this huge delay is taking up our time we planned to have in St. Pete with old friends. We will just have to squeeze out the most of our time there.....IF we EVER get there! I'm not saying a word until we are underway.
Tuesday, January 9, 2018
Sunday, December 31, 2017
200th DAY.....NEW YEARS EVE
How interesting that I just figured out that today is our 200th day on our adventure! New Years Eve! Captain Bob told me yesterday that he saw the advertisement for New Years Eve celebration at the local "club" on the beach here.......party starts at ll:00 and runs till 4:00. I said "great, we can be home for dinner and Wheel and Fortune" ... Guess that shows how old we have gotten! 2018 is a big year for one of us.....Medicare...If I can only figure it out with plans A, B, C, D ,E, F etc...drove me to drink yesterday.
We do plan to go to a movie and a snack this afternoon and then come home before all the crazy's come out. We are STILL here in Panama City Beach. I even bought a PCB sweatshirt and we are thinking of claiming residency! (the sweatshirt is needed for warmth, and we never thought we would still be here into 2018..) but remember, the first rule of looping....NO schedule.
We just got back from the tundra of Michigan....at least that what it felt like there, with the extremely cold temps. We had airline tickets in and out of Tampa, FL, assuming that we would have the boat there ......well, we took a rental car to Tampa and flew to Michigan and back and then drove the car back to PC Beach where we WAIT for a window to cross the gulf. OF COURSE there were at least 2 opportunities while we were gone for Christmas! We also missed one at Thanksgiving time trip.....but would we have missed the wonderful holidays spent with family...of course not.
So, now that we have NO schedule from here on out (other than plans to be in Key West on Feb 1)....we can wait it out. Some have asked why you don't just go.....well, it is a 20 hour crossing, mostly done at night and in the dark (no street lights in the ocean) so you have to wait until the perfect, or nearly perfect window of flat water and light winds and preferably good moon light. We almost left the night we drove back (7 hours) from Tampa, but the drive and flight were pretty tiring, and we would have been alone and starting pretty late....so we passed on that window..... " the sources we depend on for weather advise" are now saying nothing till NEXT weekend. Guess we will keep the rental car.....a weeks rental has turned into 6 weeks! By then we can plan to meet up with some buddy boats. I asked Bob this morning where he thought we would be next year on New Years Eve.....and then added...."assuming we get out of here!" haha. But as previously mentioned, this is not a bad place to be, although, it too has been cold....although NO SNOW.
After 2 weeks spent with 3 of the most active grandsons (and smartest, cutest, etc....) and one beautiful 6 week old granddaughter we can wrap ourselves in the warm memories that we made.....Grandpa Bob and I even had 2 whole days with Josie by ourselves, as mom Molly filled in at her job between the holidays. Grandpa did especially well with diapers, and Grandma with rocking, but we both were pretty tired by the end of the day....that is why God gives you children while you are still young, and grandchildren later, when you can hand them back and go to bed! At least the grand boys are old enough to help themselves and even wait on us most of the time. (I love it). We are truly blessed......So we will be thinking of those and all the blessings we have been given, when the clock strikes midnight and a new year begins....(assuming we are awake, if not, we will dream of them)
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.....SEE YOU IN 2018
We do plan to go to a movie and a snack this afternoon and then come home before all the crazy's come out. We are STILL here in Panama City Beach. I even bought a PCB sweatshirt and we are thinking of claiming residency! (the sweatshirt is needed for warmth, and we never thought we would still be here into 2018..) but remember, the first rule of looping....NO schedule.
We just got back from the tundra of Michigan....at least that what it felt like there, with the extremely cold temps. We had airline tickets in and out of Tampa, FL, assuming that we would have the boat there ......well, we took a rental car to Tampa and flew to Michigan and back and then drove the car back to PC Beach where we WAIT for a window to cross the gulf. OF COURSE there were at least 2 opportunities while we were gone for Christmas! We also missed one at Thanksgiving time trip.....but would we have missed the wonderful holidays spent with family...of course not.
So, now that we have NO schedule from here on out (other than plans to be in Key West on Feb 1)....we can wait it out. Some have asked why you don't just go.....well, it is a 20 hour crossing, mostly done at night and in the dark (no street lights in the ocean) so you have to wait until the perfect, or nearly perfect window of flat water and light winds and preferably good moon light. We almost left the night we drove back (7 hours) from Tampa, but the drive and flight were pretty tiring, and we would have been alone and starting pretty late....so we passed on that window..... " the sources we depend on for weather advise" are now saying nothing till NEXT weekend. Guess we will keep the rental car.....a weeks rental has turned into 6 weeks! By then we can plan to meet up with some buddy boats. I asked Bob this morning where he thought we would be next year on New Years Eve.....and then added...."assuming we get out of here!" haha. But as previously mentioned, this is not a bad place to be, although, it too has been cold....although NO SNOW.
After 2 weeks spent with 3 of the most active grandsons (and smartest, cutest, etc....) and one beautiful 6 week old granddaughter we can wrap ourselves in the warm memories that we made.....Grandpa Bob and I even had 2 whole days with Josie by ourselves, as mom Molly filled in at her job between the holidays. Grandpa did especially well with diapers, and Grandma with rocking, but we both were pretty tired by the end of the day....that is why God gives you children while you are still young, and grandchildren later, when you can hand them back and go to bed! At least the grand boys are old enough to help themselves and even wait on us most of the time. (I love it). We are truly blessed......So we will be thinking of those and all the blessings we have been given, when the clock strikes midnight and a new year begins....(assuming we are awake, if not, we will dream of them)
HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL.....SEE YOU IN 2018
Tuesday, December 12, 2017
Holiday Cheer
A few years ago I thought I would spend the winters in Panama City Beach when we retired......seems that IS what is happening to us! We are STILL here! Haven't had a good weather window to cross the gulf since right after Thanksgiving. Like the "experts" say, you can learn from experience, and it doesn't have to be yours!....so take it from the experts and stay put. Like the rest of the country we are also experiencing a cold month of December. Its a little different living on a boat when it is 30's and 40's outside.....just keeping the heat on seems strange. We have rented a car and continue to extend the rental, so at least we can get "out" and go to the movies, etc....have seen several! (at SR. citizen rates, of course!) and in the middle of the day....
Our original plans were to be in Tampa/St. Pete by now and we have airline tickets out of Tampa for 2 weeks in Michigan for Christmas....so now we will drive the rental car to the Tampa airport and after Christmas...fly back to Tampa and then drive back here and cross at the first chance we get in the new year.....I guess other than the inconvenience of the drive (8 hours) it's not all that bad. We have a good rate at this marina, and got to attend their holiday party last weekend....we have even decorated outside the boat, as several here have done also. The Loopers that are here are "all in the same boat" so to say...haha.
Some have asked how we make the decision as to when to cross the gulf..... we follow "Eddies Weather Wag"......he relies on several weather fronts and forums and then reports back to us loopers, on almost a daily basis, as to what the conditions are. He has done this as a courtesy to AGLCA members for years.
This time of year with limited daylight time, it is impossible to make the 220 mile crossing (at 10mph) completely in daylight only, and you don't want to arrive at the western side of Florida too early in the morning, because the sun angle blinds you from seeing the crab points.....which you DO NOT want to hit. Therefore, leaving at 3pm and cruising overnight allows us to arrive at 1pm. That means you need and want very good conditions to be boating in the dark (a full moon helps). Several loopers plan to cross together. I also understand....it is NOT as scary as it sounds....lots of loopers have done it more than once....the secret is, you HAVE TO WAIT for the best weather window you can get.....so here we are. Depending on the forecast for after Christmas, our friends, Ken and Deb Rogers, from St Pete, might drive back up here with us and make the long boat crossing back with us...that will be a lot of card playing and conversation to keep Capt Bob awake! Plus their knowledge of boating should be helpful as additional crew.....If timing doesn't work out, then I'll just have to take a few hour shift behind the wheel. Thus the waves and winds need to be pretty perfect for that.
Our decorations....both inside and outside on LeReve. The outside lights blink and change colors....Its easier to decorate with no snow around your feet....so even though it is not warm here, at least there is no snow! But we did use "snow men" to decorate the porch. MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ALL!...and hopefully the next blog will be from Tampa!
Our original plans were to be in Tampa/St. Pete by now and we have airline tickets out of Tampa for 2 weeks in Michigan for Christmas....so now we will drive the rental car to the Tampa airport and after Christmas...fly back to Tampa and then drive back here and cross at the first chance we get in the new year.....I guess other than the inconvenience of the drive (8 hours) it's not all that bad. We have a good rate at this marina, and got to attend their holiday party last weekend....we have even decorated outside the boat, as several here have done also. The Loopers that are here are "all in the same boat" so to say...haha.
Some have asked how we make the decision as to when to cross the gulf..... we follow "Eddies Weather Wag"......he relies on several weather fronts and forums and then reports back to us loopers, on almost a daily basis, as to what the conditions are. He has done this as a courtesy to AGLCA members for years.
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| Capt Bob and Jane at Holiday Marina Party |
Monday, December 4, 2017
Back Home!
December 3, 2017
Had to sit and think real hard as to what day this is...It is hard to think December when we have spent the last couple days on dinghy rides and beach sitting. We returned "home" on November 29 after 2 weeks in Michigan cuddling, rocking, spoiling, cooing, drooling, etc...you get the picture, over our beautiful new baby granddaughter, Josie .....or JoJo as grandma calls her.
Had to sit and think real hard as to what day this is...It is hard to think December when we have spent the last couple days on dinghy rides and beach sitting. We returned "home" on November 29 after 2 weeks in Michigan cuddling, rocking, spoiling, cooing, drooling, etc...you get the picture, over our beautiful new baby granddaughter, Josie .....or JoJo as grandma calls her.
Here's a picture of Grandma Jane with Josie, and sister in law, Jan with her grandson John.....3 weeks older than JoJo. They should grow up to be great cousins and friends, just like their mamas, Molly Jo and Lynn did 30 plus years ago! (talk about losing track of time!)
So here we are.....back in Panama City Beach at Baypoint Marina. The weather has been perfect and the sunsets amazing. We were asked by a "buddy boat" to take off a few days ago with them, for a direct crossing of the gulf to Clearwater. It would have been perfect timing weather wise, but truthfully, we just weren't ready to leave our old stomping grounds. We have rented a car and are really enjoying seeing all our old "watering stations", places we owned (in another life), and shopping our favorite stores, (think land of 10,000 bathing suits!! and Alvins Island, the ultimate souvenir shop) and checking out real estate for perhaps a place to land after our "great adventure"...reminds me of the book I read about doing the loop......most places you visit, you say, " I could live here". This place has something to do with the warmth and the sunshine! But for the present, we are pretty happy onboard LeReve, and we have a great view of the bay and the city lights at night....however, we must think of moving on, as we have a flight out of Tampa in a few weeks.....back to Michigan for Christmas.....
I can't imagine what else I want or need than this precious gift! I am sure she misses her grandma and can't wait for me to get back to rock her!
Monday, November 13, 2017
THE REALLY BIG NEWS
Really big news...about 8 lbs, 2 ozs.....21 3/4 inches long.....worth of big, good news!
Baby Josephine Elizabeth Branham (Josie, or JoJo) was born on Friday, November 10, 2017. Grandpa, Captain Bob and Grandma Jane were on pins and needles all day, waiting for the arrival....we got the good news at 6:23 pm with a picture of her only 10 minutes old....and thanks to face time and all the neat communications we have these days, we were able to see her and talk to new mom and dad (the attached pic was sent a little later)
After we all (that is grandpa and grandma) calmed down .....we toasted our newest grandchild off our deck as the Blue Angels flew a salute over the bow of the boat and then gave a fabulous fire works show!! What more of a celebration could a grandparent want......
So, as you see, we did make to it Pensacola and we did anchor out in the bay along with several hundred or so of our favorite boating friends to watch the air show. It was a thrill when they flew directly over the boat. We tried to get pictures, but they are faster than the camera! We spent the night anchored in the bay and took off the next morning for Destin, Florida.
After the joy of the previous evening, the next morning, we received a disturbing call (heartbreaking, I should say) that the hunting camp that my father and his 4 brothers built on 365 acres in northern Michigan (Hawks) not far from Rogers City, in 1959... had burnt to the ground in the night. Bob is now an owner, as is my brother and 3 other cousins (as all 5 original owners have passed on to the giant hunting grounds in the sky).... So now, not only is deer season cancelled (for the 59ers) but decisions have to be made as to the future of the property. Bob will go north as originally planned but for a camp "meeting" and not for the hunt.
We did spend one night in Destin, Florida at a "fun" (ie: expensive) marina, right in the heart of a new development with shops, bars, restaurants, etc. We were backed up to "Margaritaville" ...thankfully, it was a chilly evening and the outdoor festivities were limited (are we old, or what!)
Now we are in PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL.....might sound familiar to those who know us well!! Our old stomping grounds for 15 years or so about 10 years back. We are at Baypointe Marina and at night when the city lights are on (it gets dark here at 5pm) I can see down the "strip".....and reminisce about the good ole days....haha. Don't think we could party like we used to...in fact I know we can't, as we were in bed last eve at 7pm!! So today will be a clean up day, laundry, packing etc....getting ready for the big trip to Michigan, still scheduled for Wednesday.....can't wait to meet our new granddaughter!! I know she feels the same... because she didn't wait for us to arrive! (not sure how mom and dad feel.....don't think they feel anything, as they are exhausted....perhaps we can help out with that) I did tell my daughter that she will feel that way at least for another 18 years or so! 👶
What a Thanksgiving this will be.
Baby Josephine Elizabeth Branham (Josie, or JoJo) was born on Friday, November 10, 2017. Grandpa, Captain Bob and Grandma Jane were on pins and needles all day, waiting for the arrival....we got the good news at 6:23 pm with a picture of her only 10 minutes old....and thanks to face time and all the neat communications we have these days, we were able to see her and talk to new mom and dad (the attached pic was sent a little later)After we all (that is grandpa and grandma) calmed down .....we toasted our newest grandchild off our deck as the Blue Angels flew a salute over the bow of the boat and then gave a fabulous fire works show!! What more of a celebration could a grandparent want......
So, as you see, we did make to it Pensacola and we did anchor out in the bay along with several hundred or so of our favorite boating friends to watch the air show. It was a thrill when they flew directly over the boat. We tried to get pictures, but they are faster than the camera! We spent the night anchored in the bay and took off the next morning for Destin, Florida.
After the joy of the previous evening, the next morning, we received a disturbing call (heartbreaking, I should say) that the hunting camp that my father and his 4 brothers built on 365 acres in northern Michigan (Hawks) not far from Rogers City, in 1959... had burnt to the ground in the night. Bob is now an owner, as is my brother and 3 other cousins (as all 5 original owners have passed on to the giant hunting grounds in the sky).... So now, not only is deer season cancelled (for the 59ers) but decisions have to be made as to the future of the property. Bob will go north as originally planned but for a camp "meeting" and not for the hunt.
We did spend one night in Destin, Florida at a "fun" (ie: expensive) marina, right in the heart of a new development with shops, bars, restaurants, etc. We were backed up to "Margaritaville" ...thankfully, it was a chilly evening and the outdoor festivities were limited (are we old, or what!)
Now we are in PANAMA CITY BEACH, FL.....might sound familiar to those who know us well!! Our old stomping grounds for 15 years or so about 10 years back. We are at Baypointe Marina and at night when the city lights are on (it gets dark here at 5pm) I can see down the "strip".....and reminisce about the good ole days....haha. Don't think we could party like we used to...in fact I know we can't, as we were in bed last eve at 7pm!! So today will be a clean up day, laundry, packing etc....getting ready for the big trip to Michigan, still scheduled for Wednesday.....can't wait to meet our new granddaughter!! I know she feels the same... because she didn't wait for us to arrive! (not sure how mom and dad feel.....don't think they feel anything, as they are exhausted....perhaps we can help out with that) I did tell my daughter that she will feel that way at least for another 18 years or so! 👶
What a Thanksgiving this will be.
Sunday, November 12, 2017
Things you NEVER want to hear from your captain!
Before I get serious, I had to share with "you all" some things I HAVE heard out of Bob's mouth in the past few months.....so I decided to make a list of 10 statements you NEVER want to hear our of your captain's mouth.
10. I THINK we have enough fuel to make it across Lake Michigan
9. I sure THOUGHT we had enough fuel
8. The boat doesn't seeming to be running like it should
7. I didn't think the winds would be THIS STRONG today
6. I should have checked the weather report this morning
5. What's that noise and where is all this water coming from?
3. I can't pull up the anchor, just cut the line!
2. SOMEONE (!) is going to have to get on the mask and dive down to cut the line that is caught
in the props. (..... and FYI.... only ONE of US swims!)
1. SERIOUSLY....THE ONE I HEARD THIS MORNING THAT PROMPTED THIS LIST....
"I sure wish I knew where we were"!!
10. I THINK we have enough fuel to make it across Lake Michigan
9. I sure THOUGHT we had enough fuel
8. The boat doesn't seeming to be running like it should
7. I didn't think the winds would be THIS STRONG today
6. I should have checked the weather report this morning
5. What's that noise and where is all this water coming from?
4. We have no electricity/water at this marina, but the price is good (goes hand in hand with...We
should have gotten a pump out at the last marina.
3. I can't pull up the anchor, just cut the line!
2. SOMEONE (!) is going to have to get on the mask and dive down to cut the line that is caught
in the props. (..... and FYI.... only ONE of US swims!)
1. SERIOUSLY....THE ONE I HEARD THIS MORNING THAT PROMPTED THIS LIST....
"I sure wish I knew where we were"!!
Wednesday, November 8, 2017
HAPPY BIRTHDAY CAPTAIN BOB
November 3, 2017
So today is captain Bob's 63rd Birthday!! I wanted to post a pic of him cleaning the boat...shirtless, but he said no!....So I got this one of him when we went out to eat....however, I forgot, and missed the chance when he was eating a piece of his complimentary cheese cake (maybe I was too busy sampling it!) and so I posed him in front of the candle on the table. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB!!
We are presently at the "Wharf" Marina, Orange Beach, AL......beautiful place......a "real" downtown area with tons of stores (the least of which sells beautiful children's clothes from Spain....the clerks were oh, so helpful, once they found out I am expecting a granddaughter after 3 grandsons!) I also got a pedi and mani in honor or Bob's birthday.....only because I wanted to look nice FOR HIM!
We crossed Mobile Bay yesterday after spending several days in Mobile, Alabama. We pulled the boat so Bob could paint the bottom with a "salt water worthy" paint.....don't ask me the difference, but I spent 4 glorious nights in a hotel room with a real toilet, tub, kitchen, etc etc......(actually, it was good to get "HOME" once we got back on LeReve) Good news also was that there were no nicks in the props, nor any other damages from coming down the river systems. We were anxious to get back on "the loop" after 4 days "on the hard"
It is funny (?) how we are now in a different group of loopers than previously. There certainly are a lot of us out there!.....we are also aware that some that were in front of us are now behind us?? That's because different boaters want to explore different areas....Right now, we are on a mission to get to Panama City by Nov 15, as we have airline tickets back to Michigan from there.....did I mention, there is a new granddaughter on the way?? (haha)
Before we got to the end of the river system in Mobile, we did have a WONDERFUL catfish dinner at Bobby's Fish Camp.....A very "unique" place.....there were 4 boats there on a Wednesday.....Normal hours are THURSDAY thru Sunday.....but chef Sally said if we could get 4 people who wanted to come up and eat, she would open......I said I would eat for 4 if that's what it took.....However, the other boaters were there to eat also, and we had a table of 8. We were prepared to stay an extra day if that is what it took for me to experience the "world's best" catfish dinner.....I do believe I found it here!
So today is captain Bob's 63rd Birthday!! I wanted to post a pic of him cleaning the boat...shirtless, but he said no!....So I got this one of him when we went out to eat....however, I forgot, and missed the chance when he was eating a piece of his complimentary cheese cake (maybe I was too busy sampling it!) and so I posed him in front of the candle on the table. HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOB!!
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| downtown the Wharf |
We are presently at the "Wharf" Marina, Orange Beach, AL......beautiful place......a "real" downtown area with tons of stores (the least of which sells beautiful children's clothes from Spain....the clerks were oh, so helpful, once they found out I am expecting a granddaughter after 3 grandsons!) I also got a pedi and mani in honor or Bob's birthday.....only because I wanted to look nice FOR HIM!
We crossed Mobile Bay yesterday after spending several days in Mobile, Alabama. We pulled the boat so Bob could paint the bottom with a "salt water worthy" paint.....don't ask me the difference, but I spent 4 glorious nights in a hotel room with a real toilet, tub, kitchen, etc etc......(actually, it was good to get "HOME" once we got back on LeReve) Good news also was that there were no nicks in the props, nor any other damages from coming down the river systems. We were anxious to get back on "the loop" after 4 days "on the hard"
It is funny (?) how we are now in a different group of loopers than previously. There certainly are a lot of us out there!.....we are also aware that some that were in front of us are now behind us?? That's because different boaters want to explore different areas....Right now, we are on a mission to get to Panama City by Nov 15, as we have airline tickets back to Michigan from there.....did I mention, there is a new granddaughter on the way?? (haha)
Before we got to the end of the river system in Mobile, we did have a WONDERFUL catfish dinner at Bobby's Fish Camp.....A very "unique" place.....there were 4 boats there on a Wednesday.....Normal hours are THURSDAY thru Sunday.....but chef Sally said if we could get 4 people who wanted to come up and eat, she would open......I said I would eat for 4 if that's what it took.....However, the other boaters were there to eat also, and we had a table of 8. We were prepared to stay an extra day if that is what it took for me to experience the "world's best" catfish dinner.....I do believe I found it here!
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Speaking of food, we are now torn as to whether or not to stay here for their "food festival" weekend that starts tomorrow, or to leave and secure a place at a popular anchorage for the air show in Pensacola, Florida. I believe the air show is going to win out.
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