Happy New Year's Eve!!

NYE - Teenager & Dad

   Happy New Year's Eve!  We spent today relaxing, getting chores done, and exploring The Wharf shopping area.  Nana had some time to herself checking out the stores & coffee shop.  The 3 guys went to play laser tag & games at the arcade.  Then, Thomas, Mom & Dad went to the movies ("Hobbit" for him, "Unbroken" for parents).  Nana & Matthew went out for pizza.  Afterward, Mom & Dad check out the bars and restaurants.  Then the teenager wanted to check out the night life on NYE at The Wharf.  They had a band, lights, & lots of people milling about.

Jill's dinner 

The Wharf Main Street lit up at night

Orange Beach, FL

Arriving at The Wharf Marina

   Today we continued cruising west toward Orange beach, FL.  We stopped at a place we have passed many times, but never stopped at this fun looking place - The Wharf Marina.  We arrived by 3p Central time.  So, after checking securing the boat and checking in at the marina, we all went exploring at this interesting entertainment center.  A Ferris wheel, temporary ice skating rink, movie theatre, restaurants, arcade, shops! Wow!  We will enjoy being here for a couple days.  nice place to spend New Year's Eve.

Total miles today:  70nm

Total miles traveled:  2,613 nm

Total cruising days: 38

Lucy & David on Ferris wheel 

Thomas & Matthew on Ferris wheel 

Ice Skating Rink 

Leaving Florida behind us!!

Niceville, FL

Entrance to Bluewater Bay Marina\

   We woke up this morning to rain & fog in the Panama City area.  Having traveled through the fog in this area before, we knew to just stay put until it cleared.  Fortunately, by 10am, the fog lifted, rain was gone, and we were on our way west toward Ft Walton Beach area.  Last time we were in this area we stayed at a quaint marina on the north side of Choctowhatchee Bay.  We decided to stop there again.  We enjoyed the restaurant onsite.  Unfortunately, it is closed tonight.  So, we will borrowed the courtesy van and went into town to see what the town is like.  We found a German restaurant, the Schnitzel Lodge, and had a yummy German dinner.

Total miles today:  53nm

Total miles traveled:  2,563 nm

Total cruising days: 37

Schnitzel Lodge for dinner

1 year cruising!!! (Panama City, FL)

Dinner on the Gulf of Mexico

   Today is the 1 year anniversary of the day we left Knoxville, TN!  Wow!  What a year!  We have cruised over 2500 miles during 36 actual days of cruising.

The past week, we enjoyed spending the holidays exploring Dunedin, FL waiting for the perfect weather to cross the Gulf of Mexico to the panhandle.  Saturday afternoon into Sunday was the beautiful weather we were waiting for.  We waited until high tide on Saturday so we could leave our shallow marina (fueled up and pumped out) and we were underway by 2:30pm.  The wind and waves were even better than predicted.  After dodging crab pots in the Gulf for 1.5 hours, it was smooth & easy cruising (water was flat or had .5 - 1 foot waves).  We had dinner as we watched the sun go down.  Nana was awed!  Everyone took turns at driving through the night, except Nana, who often kept the driver company.  She was awakened by Jill at 6:45am to watch the sun come up over the Gulf.  Since we cruised into St George Bay (near Carrabelle) by 8:15am, and past Appalachicola by 10:30am, we decided to continue on via the Gulf ICW to Panama City to our favorite city marina.  We had a 27 hour cruising day, the longest we have ever had!

Total miles today:  250nm ?

Total miles traveled:  2,510 nm ?

Total cruising days: 36

Calm Gulf waters 

Sunset on Gulf

Sunrise on Gulf of Mexico

Honeymoon Island, Dunedin, FL

Honeymoon Island

   If you continue down the road from our marina you drive over to Honeymoon Island.  The beaches are beautiful, ICW on one side, Gulf of Mexico on the other.  The weather on Wednesday when we were there was during the storm coming through the area for Christmas (why we could not yet cross the Gulf by boat).  The beach was pretty, but the waves on the beach were very strong and it was very windy that day.  We all enjoyed walking the beach, though.  Matthew enjoyed standing on the posts that used to be a dock and see if the waves would push him off!  Crazy kid!

Exploring Dunedin, FL

   Today, we decided to go into the quaint, downtown Dunedin.  The streets with many shops & restaurants are decorated for Christmas.  We got to window shop, and check out the weekly Farmer's Market, with a musician entertaining us.  The kids went back to the yummy ice cream shop, while David & I got some Thai food.  

Checking out the Dunedin Farmer's Market

 Matthew & I also got to visit with the Mellie family for a couple hours, who are visiting Clearwater Beach for Christmas, and our friend Staci.

Hotel Christmas decorations 

Kids playing on the beach 

Fun on the beach

Merry Christmas!!

   We hope everyone has a very merry Christmas!!  Our family is celebrating (with Nana Lucy) in Dunedin, FL.  We attended St Marks Lutheran Church for a beautiful candlelight service (our tradition) on Christmas Eve.  Then a quick dinner at home, Daddy read Christmas stories, and everyone to bed to wait for Santa.  We awoke this morning to presents and full stockings.  Everyone agrees it was a very  nice Christmas.  After yesterday's stormy weather, we are pleased to see the sun this morning.  Going to be a beautiful day.

  From our family to yours, we hope you have a wonderful holiday.

Daddy traditionally reads a couple Christmas stories before bedtime 

David, Thomas, Matthew & Nana Lucy 

Happy Birthday, Thomas!!

Scuba boy got a BCD for his birthday!

   Fifteen years ago today, David & I became parents to a beautiful baby boy!  Over the years, he has grown (especially this year!) into a handsome, smart, funny, mature young man.  We are very proud of him.  We had a good day today celebrating with his favorite foods and presents.  Staci joined us for dinner at Dunedin Brewery so Thomas could have wings, then we went out for ice cream.

Thomas, Staci & Mom

Strachan Ice Cream Parlor

Dunedin, FL

Matthew & Nana enjoying cruising on the ICW

   While not as sunny as yesterday, today was a fairly good cruising day, then we arrived in the Clearwater area just as the rain started (we are expecting it to hang around most of the week).  We left Sarasota and cruised north up the ICW to Dunedin (just north of Clearwater).  Just north of St Petersburg on the ICW at Madeira Beach is a McDonalds, with its' own dock on the waterway.  Well, we always need to stop and have lunch (perfect timing today) - which Nana & the kids love.

Total miles today:  55nm

Total miles traveled:  2,160 nm

Total cruising days: 34

McDonalds dock, Madeira Beach

Sarasota, FL - cruising again!

Cruising the Gulf ICW

   After sitting in Ft Myers for 3 weeks (quick trip to GA/TN/NC), we were cruising again!  We had picked up Nana Lucy in Asheville on our auto visit up north, and she will be with us the next couple weeks as we cruise - and celebrate Christmas.  Today was beautiful - sunny, slight breeze, calm waters.  When you travel the waterways along the southern west coast of Florida, you definitely going to see dolphins - today was no exception!  Numerous times we had them swimming off the bow, then following behind us, often jumping out of the water to give us a show.  It really never gets old seeing these wonderful creatures.  We continue our journey north tomorrow.

Total miles today:  79nm

Total miles traveled:  2,105 nm

Total cruising days: 33

Thomas safely navigates us through the swing bridge 

Dolphins off the bow

Happy Hanukah!!

   Happy Hanukah!  To all our family and friends who celebrate, we hope you have a wonderful celebration of the Festival of Lights!!  Kids & I were lucky enough to get to celebrate this year with our friends, Mike & Dana.

Imaginarium Science Center, Ft Myers, FL

Matthew recreates river flow with locks & dams

  Today, Matthew & Mom rode their bikes 1+ miles to the Imaginarium Science Center.  We saw and learned a lot about snakes, turtles, alligators, Newton's Laws, and played in the Caloosahatchee River model.  The weather has gotten a little cooler, but we are enjoying it.  Matthew & Thomas rode bikes yesterday in search of ice cream, but did not find a shop close by.  Oh well. (at least they were outside getting exercise!)

Matthew holding python 

Dinosaur section of museum

Hanging out in Ft Myers

Matthew at Farmer's Market bread stand

   The week has flown by!  The kids & Mom have been enjoying the downtown of Ft Myers.  There are numerous restaurants within walking distance and lots of sidewalks for walking or riding your bike.  Matthew has gotten really good at riding his bike, so each day, Thomas or I have gone out for a ride with him.  This morning, he got up with Mom, and we rode over to the weekly Farmer's Market, then rode around town a little.  The market was great - many fresh fruits & vegetables.  There was also a German baker selling some freshly made breads.  We bought some pretzel rolls (our favorite), and took them home to the sleeping teenager.

   Also at the marina is a floating hair salon.  Jill went over and got a nice haircut today.  Next week - pedicure!

Rumors hair salon at Ft Myers Yacht Basin