Early Departure

Friday, 8 March 2013

Ready for an early departure, we awoke at 0600, only to discover that we had burst a water line once again and had no water, as it was all in the bilge.  Joe crammed himself into the bilge and repaired it.  Good job Joe.  Departed and within 3 miles encountered several pods of porpoises feeding, very entertaining.  Also a great day for Bald Eagle sightings, about 6 by Joe's count.

A nice day to travel, sunny and warm in the enclosed fly bridge.  We left the Appalacicola River and entered Appalacicola Bay, very large.  Water was a uniform brown.  35 miles later we passed the East Pass Inlet from the Gulf of Mexico and saw blue water; there were also several pods of porpoises feeding where the two different types of water mixed.

 










The only commercial shipping we encountered this day;

 Got into our slip at the C-Quarters Marina in Carrabelle, Florida and went out on the town.  Fresh shrimp right off the boat. 

 
We returned to the boat to get ready for Saturday.  Big Annual Military Recognition Parade at 10:30, we will have to take our deck chairs up to the street to watch it.

Final Day at Port St Joe

Thursday, 7 March 2013

Woke up, got out of bed, drug a comb across my head, lest I digress, we needed to go into town to get a few things, Advance Auto, NAPA, Piggly Wiggly, CVS.  We got distracted by Peppers Mexican Restaurant and had an excellent lunch.

Finished installing the bow pulpit spotlight, which required removing the starboard bow rail, drilling holes, removing the shower wall, and snaking wires all over. Once we announced success, the spotlight remote control would not work as it had dead batteries. Beth and Joe removed and washed and polished all the isinglass and it is now possible to see through it. The parts delivery arrived around 1400 and parts were installed, engine started, compass spun and all was well. We all went to Ronnie B’s Steak and Seafood House for dinner. This required us all to ride bicycles for several blocks. Quite amusing.

 

While e were out shopping we encountered a bulletin board looking for Daria.

Is not she cute?

To add to our "Don't Americans Make Great Signs" Collection,, we add this;

Find the error!

 

 

Another Day at Port St Joe

Wednesday, 6 March 2013

One of the items we had purchased in Panama City was a distributor cap and rotor for the starboard engine.  Since we had nothing but time on our hands while waiting on the compass and cable, we changed out the distributor cap on the starboard engine.  Since the kit came with a new rotor, we did not want to waste it so we began to install it.  To install this rotor, you have to remove the old one.  This was not easy, after much tugging, prying and mumbling, we decided that the old rotor was really all right.  We reassembled the distributor and fired up the engine.  It ran for about 8 seconds making some clattering sound and died. Then, it would not start again.  More parts ordered from back in Panama City, however there was no way for us to get there, so it was shipped overnight air (35 miles away).  A hugely uneventful day, other than waiting for parts, too cold and windy to go outside.

Port St Joe Marina

Tuesday, 5 March 2013

We departed at sunrise, headed for Port St Joe Marina, Port St Joe, Florida without the aid of our radar overlay on the chart plotter (it all worked out). Seas were choppy and temperature was cold. Searching online, I found a replacement compass and had it shipped next day air (Wednesday) to the Port St Joe Marina, unfortunately, this required a special cable, which would not arrive until Thursday.  This delay turned out not to be the really critical item however.  We arrived at Port St Joe without further incident and settled in. Welcoming us was Blackie the Marina Cat.

 A very nice marina sunrise;

 

Sunset

 

A view from the top

 

Classroom time, seizing the moment, which we had plenty of, a charting/navigation class was conducted

 

While Beth was studying she was distraced by this small spider!

 

 

Preparing to Get Underway

Monday, 4 March 2013

Arose and attempted to enhance our navigational electronics suite and fried a $600.00 flux gate compass. Here I am garbed in my electronics operating garb studying for surgery follwed by interneting for help.

 

We contacted the AGLCA Harbor Host, Greg and Carl Vernon, and arranged for them to graciously haul us around to re-provision with groceries and other essentials.  We determined that we needed to check the distributor caps on the engines and discovered that they were severely corroded.  So, while we were at the West Marine Store we purchased one (since that is all they had).  We cleaned the starboard cap and decided to replace the port engine cap once we got to Port St Joe.  Once again thanks to our hosts for helping us out. Panama City is home to a Coast Guard Station and a Navy Base.  There was much sea and air activity.

 

Spring Break - Panama City Beach

Sunday, 3 March 2013

Departed for the Kansas City Airport (transportation provided by Jeremy) to fly back to Panama City, Florida to resume journey, encountered two people in the airport and on our flight that Beth and I used to work with in the Kansas National Guard, Trish and Joe Williams. They were on their way to Houston for some medical issues, good luck to them.  Three take offs and three landings later we were in Panama City, caught a cab to the boat, the cab driver was disappointed that we did not want to go to a "Gentlemens Club" as he gets paid from the owners to boost business but Beth said she was too tired.  He also told us of the Spring Break Girls in Bikinis oblivious to the 35 degree weather.  (methinks they were under some influence)  All quiet at the marina so we retired for the evening.  No Spring Break Photos, sorry.

Back In Florida

Back In Florida...
Well, we're back in Panama City. We should be headed to St Joe tomorrow morning. It's a short trip. Only about 30 miles. From there to Carabelle. As you may or may not know, from Carabelle we are headed across the Gulf of Mexico to Tarpon Springs. That trip is 140 miles, across open water, and can only be done when 'weather permits', due to winds and waves(chop).  (Because of fuel limitations, we will be not be able to exceed 10mph. You do the math. Yep, 14+ hours straight, across open water, no land in sight. Woohoo!) It is not uncommon to be stuck on one side of the crossing, or the other, for days..even weeks waiting for Mother Nature to permit crossing. For the first time in 2 weeks, today/tonight is a good window for crossing. Only problem is, WE'RE NOT THERE YET! Oh we'll. all in good time. We hear (and have read) that there is fun to be had at Carabelle, so not a bad place to be stuck, if necessary.

Remember Greg and Carl? They are coming to get us today and take us shopping. This marina does not have a courtesy vehicle and we are in need of provisions. They have been GREAT Harbor Hosts and are going to be rewarded with dinner tonight. THANKS GREG AND CARL!!

Here's what we left in KS.

It's great to be back and getting into the swing of things again. We are anxious to get underway. Again, keep us in your prayers.