Mobile, AL

Docked in Mobile, AL

   After celebrating NYE last night (the boys all stayed up to watch the fireworks), we got up early this morning and cast off the lines for the 36 miles to/across Mobile Bay.  Though the weather was overcast, we had no rain, and the seas in Mobile Bay were a light to moderate chop (1-2ft waves).  the seagulls seemed pleased we were there; they followed us for awhile on the Bay.

Total miles today:  37nm

Total miles traveled:  2,650 nm

Total cruising days: 39

Seagulls on Mobile Bay 

Sunrise on Mobile Bay

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