Another trip complete

We made it to Apalachacola, FL. and completed another adventure. Since our last post the trip included meeting up with a friend of mine from grade school at Sacred Heart. I had not seen Gerry in 46 years. We both looked the same, not! 

We also went to the naval air museum in Pensacola. Our timing was great because the Blue Angels were practicing for a show, so we got to see some great maneuvers. Unfortunately, I can't post videos here, but I will on Facebook.

 We stopped short of what is called the big bend crossing, which is about 120 miles in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. Maybe next year's fall trip will include that. It is always a night crossing taking 15 hours non-stop at night. 

Yesterday we rented a car and drove to Mobile to pick up our rigs and head back to Apilachacola. Today we load up the boat and head to Leesburg, FL where we will clean the boat, do some maintenance and get it ready for the 5 week layover while we head north for the holidays. We will stay 3 days at Rich's dad's house while we do this and then trailer the boat to Placida, FL where it will be in storage until we get back. 

Trip Statistics

Fuel consumed - 195.65 gallons

Miles traveled - 877 statute miles

Miles per gallon - 4.53

Average speed - 6.98 mph

Hours - 125.7

A two more pictures since I last posted

Gerry Rusinski and I after 46 years of life. It seemed like yesterday. What is interesting is that everyone I meet from grade school will always bring up Sister Thadius, the Spanish teacher. She was the cruelest person on earth and we all have memories of her tortoure. If there is a hell I am sure she is there.

One thing about cruising is every morning you have a different sunrise and sunset and you always think the one you are looking at is the best one.

Making great time!

We made it to Mobile, AL , which was supposed to be the end of the trip, but we are a week early so we are extending on the Panhandle to Apalachacola. Life is definitely different down here. First the marina let us store the truck and trailer for free. Then when we said we wanted to keep them there a week longer they said, no problem. Then when we filled up our tanks with fuel they said we get a free night dockage. We are now in Orage Beach, AL, just a short distance from the Florida boarder and the Eastern time zone. We shove off tomorrow to Pensacola, FL. We are hoping to get a ride to the Naval Air Museum. Below are some pictures on our experiences since our last post. 

Waiting for a lock to open early in the morning. Fog was prevelant with warm waters and cold morning air. Radar was a great thing to have.

Our fellow cruiser Roam coming out of the fog towards us.

Anchoring out on Bashi Creek. A nice secluded creek off the River. It is narrow, so a stern line tied to a tree on shore prevents you from swinging. 

Going down the River we passed an entire section of chalk cliffs. They say that these cliffs we formed at the same time as the cliffs of Dover. 

This is the outside of Bobby's Fish Camp. When you here fish camp you think of a place you will go and stay while fishing. Down here it is a place to go and get a good home cooked catfish meal. Heart Attack city is what they should really call it.  Look at our meal below. For $14.95 you can get the whole catfish meal, all you can eat!

The Anti-Atkins Diet.

As you can see, we are starting to get to civilization or is that a modern version of Oz's Emerald City.

While passing through Mobile Harbor we saw these stealth type navel ships. No name on them either. Mobile Harbor was the busy. We were dodging tugs with barges, fuel tankers and work boats. We were like little corks floating down the channel. Mission of the morning was "See and Avoid"!

Did a brief self tour of downtown Mobile. This is the church of the Immaculate Conception. Beautiful craftsmanship throughout. 

This is the ceiling. 

When on a boat for a while it won't take much to entertain you. Cheryll and Jess having fun being lobsters.