Travel update/Visit to Naval Air Museum

After evaluating the river predictions and considering some upcoming appointments and meetings, we've decided to drive home again. We'll be leaving Play Dough docked at Dog River Marina in Mobile for another 2-3 weeks. While we were at Dog River we completed our second engine servicing. The service is done every 150 hours. We had a well known boat mechanic do out first service last year. After observing him and taking notes, we were able to do our own service this time. While our first servicing/tune-up costs were $1000.00, we were able to change the oil and both fuel filters for $102.00. Who said you can't make money boating??

We spent one day at the Pensacola Naval Air Station. The Blue Angels winter in California, but stay in Pensacola during show season. Their Tues. and Wed. morning practice sessions are open to the public. We arrived at 8:30 for the first session of the 2009 season. After the practice we spent the remainder of the day there at the Naval Aviation Museum. The museum has so many aircraft on display in their huge building. Even though these are full size actual planes, they appear to be scale models sitting everywhere, some even suspended from the ceiling. Every aircraft ever used by the Navy is on display. We saw everything from balloons and blimps to today's jets. We even witnessed a change of command ceremony and watched an IMAX movie on fighter pilots. This museum is one of the top 10 tourist attractions in the U.S., drawing millons of visitors each year.

"Cargo plane that hauls the Blue Angels' equipment and ground crew"

"The Blue Angels are almost too fast to catch in the air!"

"Jet at Entrance to Museum"

"Aircraft from the World War II Era"

"A Blue Angel jet suspended from the ceiling "

"This propeller from an aircraft carrier weighs 30,000 lbs. It takes 4 of these to power a carrier"

"Rescue aircraft-notice the basket on the side"

"Jet Ranger helicopter, like the one Rodney piloted"

"Change of Command Ceremony"

We're Like the Space Shuttle-Go/No Go

Our timing and rain cycles can't seem to get in sync. As we stated before, once the rain came through and peeked the river levels we went home to let the waters subside. After returning to Mobile, finishing up our maintainence work and getting ready to go, a rainy weekend was in the forecast. Once again the rivers are projected to rise above floodstage within the next week. We've become quite familiar with the Mobile area. We have spent more time here than we had intended to spend in any one town along our voyage.

As we continue to tour the Gulf Coast and wait on the rivers to receed, we are looking at several alternative trip plans. We have a couple of weeks in the current window and our closest marina to the north is at Demopolis, AL, a four day run from Mobile.

There is still a lot of evidence of the hurricanes around the Biloxi area:

- Lots of empty lots along the beachfront with only concrete slabs left in place

-Many partial boat docks that haven't been rebuilt

-Some partial buildings left standing, some of them being worked on and some abandoned

Many of the hotel-casinos have been replaced and are up and running.

"One of many buildings destroyed by Hurricane Katrina in Biloxi"

"Hurricane damaged home being rebuilt"

"The Biloxi Fire Department still has missing walls from storm damage"

"Biloxi Casino"

On Hold

After we tied up in Dog River Marina off Mobile Bay, the weather got nasty. While most of you had rain and snow, we had mostly wind. We had gale force winds.(Sustained surface winds of 39-54 mph) Even though we were tied to the dock it was bouncy enough that our TV Tracking system could not maintain a signal. We reverted to DVDs for entertainment. The conditions also required someone to nap in the recliner through the night. Not only did we have to monitor our ropes, but those of the untended boats around us. We did discover a rope on a nearby boat that had gotten loose. This boat had gotten pushed within a foot or so of us when we discovered the problem.
The 5 plus inches of rain that fell in central Alabama presented us with another problem. The rivers we were headed up were forecast to crest at 20-25 feet above flood stage later in the week. Not only does this create a strong current that you must work against, it also floats a lot of debris downstream to contend with. At this point, we made a decision to drive home for a week. This will allow the higher water levels to subside and make travel much easier and safer. We will still be leaving Mobile around mid March as we had previously planned.

Headed West to Mobile

Day One

We were on the water for 7 hours and traveled 65 miles from Panama City to Destin, Fl. We were introduced to some 2 ft. (our comfort limit) waves along the way. After about one hour and a change in our heading, the water got smoother.

So much for trying different marinas...Even though Harborwalk Marina in Destin was our most expensive docking yet at $75.00, it left a lot to be desired. While you were docked in the middle of the action with restaurants along the docks, you were without cable TV, without WiFi, and it was a 3 ft. climb up from the boat to the dock, not to mention the shallow waters on the approach and in the marina that kept you on edge. At times, there were actually inches between the keel and sand.

"Approaching Destin"

"No, we're not a fishing boat ready to clean our catch!"

"Destin Sunset"

"A charter boat's catch of the day"

"Lucky Snapper Restaurant, Emerald Grande Resort, fishing fleet"

Day 2

Today we traveled 50 miles from Destin to Pensacola. This was a 5 1/2 hr day. The waters along the way were a light chop. We decided to go with a previously visited marina, Palifox Pier in downtown Pensacola, since it was one of the nicer facilities.

"Pensacola Naval Air Station-waters close to it are restricted area"

"Old Fort Pickens-across from Naval Air Station"

Day 3

We moved 33 miles to Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores, Al. This was a short day of only 4 hours. As in golf, today was a lay-up shot. This is the last marina before jumping across Mobile Bay. The afternoon gave us an opportunity to make marina reservations, car rental reservations, check weather forcasts and do laundry.

"Caught that elusive porpoise beside the boat"

Day 4

After waking early and checking winds, tides, fog and forecasts, we decided it was time to leave Gulf Shores at 6:30 and head for Mobile. Conditions were to be declining around noon and remain nasty for the next 4 days. This worked out good as we arrived at Dog River Marina at 10:30.

"Sun rising as we started across Mobile Bay"

"The birds are happy during shrimp season"

" You know you're in the Bay when you see these guys pulling up behind you to pass!"

"How many containers will a container ship hold??"

Mardi Gras in Panama City

Mardi Gras was first brought to Mobile, AL by the French people. It is now celebrated in many towns on the Gulf Coast. Beads were thrown to the crowd to get them excited and involved in the celebration. Over the years boxes of "Cracker Jacks" were also thrown, but the corners of the boxes caused too many injuries. "Moon pies" became a safer and cheap alternative.
While attending the local parade, we caught lots of beads and we both caught a "Moon pie". This was a big event, last year they estimated 80,000 people attended.

So, what does a Mardi Gras celebration consist of???

"Many people- some very different!!"

"Music"

"Food"

"Costumes"

"Floats"

"And Beads, lots of Beads!!!"

Life in Panama City

We're continuing to enjoy our floating condo in Panama City. While the Florida weather is not balmy yet, it is somewhat milder than back home. Most days are t-shirt temperatures. If we do have cooler weather, it only lasts for a couple of days before bouncing back.
We have begun doing some trip planning for our voyage west, back to Mobile. Once back to Mobile we plan on stopping there for about a week before heading North. This will give us time for some routine maintainence and moving our car.

"Another beautiful sunset on St. Andrews Bay"

"Older Homes on the Bay"

"Now you've seen the only 4-headed palm tree known in the world"

"Always trying new places to eat. Their specialty is Grouper Throats!"

"Pier Park-A Newer Type of Shopping/Restaurant Complex at the Beach"

"A Turtle Fountain in Pier Park"

Panama City and Beyond

Since Panama City is as far East as we are traveling by boat, we decided to drive through Mexico Beach, Port St. Joe, Apalachicola and St. George Island. And yes, when in Apalachicola you do as the Apalachicolans-eat oysters!!

"Apalachicola City Hall"

"One of the many Apalachicola Shrimp Boats"

"Fishermen live close to their job in these floating houses in Apalachicola"

"St. George Island Light House"

The Life of an Oyster

"Oysters are gathered using tongs and hauled in sacks."

"The shells go one way"

"The oysters go another"

"The shells then go to the shell mountain!"

"And the oysters-well they're gone too!"