Pensacola, Florida

Spent the day touring this beautiful city. It recently celebrated it's 450th anniversary, making it the oldest European settlement in the new world. One man told us that even though St.Augustine will constest it, this is the oldest settlement, but the settlers left for a few years before others came back. They celebrated the anniversary by having a visit from the King and Queen of Spain, and a tall ship from Spain.
We visited the Naval Air Museum, a place full of retired planes with much historical significance. We learned  that  the first plane landed on a ship in 1911, and they are getting ready to celebrate the 100th anniversary. Early planes used castor oil because they didn't have any other oil that would do the job.
Later we came upon elves decorating a Christmas tree outside city hall; stopped for a look and saw many other character associated with Christmas, some more so than others. Not sure why Elvis was there. Today was the preparation for Winterlude, which is a festival that takes place every weekend from now until Christmas. They have a trolley that takes people around town, and the various characters make up vignettes around town. Sounds like a lot of fun. One lady told us they even have someone doing backflips around the trolley as it travels. Had dinner with Nancy and Eddie, plan to travel to Destin tomorrow.

Yellow planes were used for training, the guide said others knew to stay out of the way

We had lunch in the Cubi lunchroom, looks like it was a soldier's hangout in the Philipines

Wayne says no more room inside than the planes he used to fly

Plane used in China against the Japanese by both Canadian and US pilots before the US entered WW2

Snoopy is getting in the party mood

Elvis is ready for Christmas

The Grinch is looking suitably mean

Palafox marina, Pensacola, Florida

We are finally in Florida! Left Orange Beach Marina this morning, and came over to Pensacola. Watched fishing boats going out to the Gulf, saw a huge boat aground inside the channel right where several of our friends touched bottom as they tried to come into Orange Beach Marina. Also saw several crews working on sand clean-up along the way. Arrived in Pensacola early afternoon, walked up the street to a fish restaurant tonight for a nice dinner with Nancy and Eddie. It is nice to be on the move again. We plan to stay here tomorrow and tour the air museum, then will probably travel again on Monday.

The first blooming magnolia tree that we have seen

Equipment at work on beach clean-up







Some colourful condos along the intercoastal waterway

Sunset over Pensacola Bay



Orange Beach, Alabama

The gentleman from Saunders marine working on our engine

Got news this morning that our part had arrived, but they had sent the wrong one. The correct one would be in the first of next week, so made plans to stay here over the weekend. Then the guy from the repair shop called back and said the part had to come from England, and would not be available for over a week. They were able to get a used injector from Mobile if we would accept that. The mechanic went to Mobile to check it out and brought it back with him, then installed it. So far seems to be working well.
They are cleaning the sand in this area, apparently digging down 4 feet and finding oil in the sand. We have heard many stories about how this area has been devastated by the oil spill. This marina is full of large sport fishing boats, many used to take out charters. Of course, with the oil spill they have not been able to go out. It is red snapper season now, and apparently they have allowed the fishermen to go out just so they can make a living. We see the charter boats coming and going from the marina here, watched them hang up the catch today for the pictures. That particular boat had gone out at 10 pm last night, returned at about 3:30 today.They said they had gone out about 80 miles. They had caught yellow-fin tuna, amberjack, and a couple of red snappers.
As we walk along the street, there are many nice houses and condos. There are also several for sale signs. We hear stories about the loss of value in homes and condos. This area was hit hard by a hurricane a few years ago, and now with the oil spill. This year they are just not getting the tourists. We were the only ones in the restaurant last night; the owner told us how much he appreciated us being there.
Tonight got together with Nancy and Eddie for a nice dinner.

The catch from one charter boat today. The yellow fin tuna are on the top row, the amberjack below.

A typical sport fisher boat here in the marina, one of many

We will go to Pensacola tomorrow if the weather is good.

Orange Beach, Alabama

At lunch at Lulu's last week with Richard and Jill from Finally, Nancy and Eddie from Dream Fever

Pass from Intercoastal waterway out to the Gulf of Mexico

The Intercoastal waterway stretches ahead of us as we travel from Mobile Bay

Lulu's Restaurant as we passed by on the intercoastal waterway

Back from a great few days re-connecting with children and grandchildren at Disney in Orlando. Wayne spent the past week changing oil, changing fuel filters, etc. He found an issue with one injector, so we are waiting on parts for that. The windless had stopped working when we were anchoring at Foscue Creek, so also got that repaired. Our parts will only be in tomorrow, so we are probably here until Saturday. It is a very nice marina, so not a problem to stay here a little longer.

Celebrating Squivot crossing their wake

Mark and Susan in Squivot came in today; they crossed their wake yesterday at the entrance to Mobile Bay, so they are flying their gold burgee. Andrew and Sally-Ann from Freedom, Tom and Linda from Q's End, Eddie and Nancy from Dream Fever, and ourselves all went out to dinner to celebrate with Mark and Susan.

Orange Beach, Alabama

Went out for lunch to Lulu's with Eddie and Nancy from Dream Fever and Jill and Richard from Finally. Jill had to give us another lesson on how to eat crab claws; they were delicious. Went on to West Marine, managed to find several things we needed. I'm preparing to go to Orlando to meet our children and grandchildren for the next few days. Will pick up the blog when I get back. Wayne is staying here to do some boat chores; Eddie and Nancy are also staying here and say they will take care of him in my absence.

Orange Beach, Alabama

Left Eastern Shores Marina about 7:30 this morning. It was cool but sunny and calm. The water in Mobile Bay was as smooth as glass.Travelled with Dream Fever south along the eastern shore of Mobile Bay and caught the Gulf Intracoastal waterway, followed it east to Perdido Bay and Orange Beach Marina. Along the way, we saw a few seagulls, several pelicans, many dolphins playing in the water around the boats. Passed Lulu's, a restaurant owned by Jimmy Buffet's sister. They have a dock, but we came on by, plan to go back by car tomorrow for lunch. The temperature here is in the high 70s during the day, a little cooler at night. Had a late lunch, then walked up to the end of the street and watched the pelicans and dolphins in the bay.
Jill and Richard in Finally came down to Orange Beach later today; they had stopped at Lulu's for lunch. Jill tells us that the crab claws are great, and gave us a lesson in how to eat them. Hope we can remember for tomorrow. You know you are in the south when: you see palm and banana trees, and the washer and dryer at the marina are located outdoors.

Eastern Shore Marina, Fairhope, Al

Quiet day today, got groceries, explored the area. Got my feet wet in the water at the beach beside the marina. The marina is a few miles outside of town, so the courtesy care is needed to go into town. There are several loopers here right now, so the courtesy car is in high demand. We took it this morning for groceries, then were able to get it again tonight to go into Fairhope for dinner. This is a pretty area, neat streets with flower baskets, lights in the trees on the main street in town, lots of flowers along the streets. We noticed that even outside of town, there are street lights and sidewalk, and the sidewalks go around the trees along the road.


Seamoore and 30 Below arrived today. At low tide, Dream Fever with their 5 ft draft was sitting on the bottom at low tide today. We have decided to move on to Orange Beach Marina tomorrow, it is in the Gulf Intracoastal waterway, so will get us started on our trip around the Panhandle

Pelicans sit on the markers outside the marina.