This morning while getting ready to leave Carrabelle, another fabulous sunrise!

Why can't I stop taking sunrise photos, I am a flippin sunrise/sunset lunatic!

This was taken last night when we THOUGHT we were going to have a smooth as butter ride across the gulf, then God laughed and kicked it up a few notches!

This 14' alligator was on the other side of Scipio Creek, and I was hoping he would come closer for scraps as the fishing guides were cleaning fish at the end of our dock, but he disapeared into the marsh, his eyes were huge yellow dots even from a distance, I think his name is Lumpy.

Bob shuckin' oysters out at the Binkley estate about a 1/2 hour out of Carrabelle Fl, a big bonfire, a sack of oysters, good company, fresh shucked "peas"with bacon that Barbara made a pot full of, DELICIOUS! We need to get her recipe, but where will we ever find "field peas" in MN? Capt Greg Binkley (tow boat Capt we met on the Mississippi years ago) puts a grate full of oysters over the fire, waits for one to "pop" then Bob and Greg shuck them with a heavy glove and oyster knife, another night that money can't buy.........friends.

The infamous Capt Greg Binkley aboard his new sailboat "Passages" I of course had to place our friend Mr Raccoon on his cockpit deck to surprise him, "damn, there's a coon on my boat!" He fixed us up with a gunny sack of oysters which we will start to eat today, think we will start our morning with "Hangtown Fry!" and I see a bottle of champagne and some raw oysters on the aft deck for dinner this evening! Maybe an oyster po'boy for lunch?

The boat ahead of us Seabreezes left this morning at 7am for Clearwater, we opted to wait it out as we want a wider weather window, we may just wait until Tuesday afternoon as that is when the window seems to open enough for us to skip across the Gulf of Mexico, and we may go all the way to Ft. Meyers. This was the sunrise that we woke to this morning, as we watched our neighbor glide off the dock toward the Gulf.

As we made our 360 to position Veda L on the starboard side and slide up to the dock in front of Papa Joe's Oyster Bar, I snapped this. We spent two days here, the driveways here are crushed oyster shells vs. gravel, lots of historic homes with different styles of gingerbread then we see "up North" We ate oysters, then we ate more oysters, steamed, raw, the garlic and butter lightly steamed were my favorite.

I get up at the "ass crack of dawn" as our darling Dana daughter so sweetly says, so I get to enjoy and capture sunrises, Buddy and I were on the foredeck watching the sun rise over Scipio Creek where we were tied to the dock...with an ant problem, little buggers ran up our lines like rats on a cargo ship and we fought them for two days.

Janet and I took a tour of this historic home; the Orman House, one of the 1st built in "Apalach" as the natives call Apalachicola, he was a 6'7" cotton merchant, a giant of a man in 1834 when he built this home. During the cival war his little wife Sara would go up to a flat area of the roof, which stairs still lead to the unadorned "widow's walk" and if the Yankees were in the area she would put a sawhorse and a barrel up there as if work was being done as a signal to the Confederates that they should not approach. Years later, the 3rd owner, a distant cousin of the Ormans let the house fall into ruin and would leave the front door open so that her horse "Ruffles" could come inside.

A very happy Capt Bob with a box of shrimp fresh from a local man that "don't buy no trash!" as his sign says on his dock, warning the fishing boats coming in that he will only buy fresh and correct size fish, shrimp and oysters. We sat in his office and chatted with he and his wife for about a half hour. He supplies to most of the local restaurants, and doesn't usually sell to the public, but Bob and I went in two years ago and asked if we could buy some and he said "shore nuf" so we will always pop in to see if he has any extra...

Flat shiny almost "oily" looking water as we came into Sandestin Fl, I love taking photos of water ripples, reflections and such, such beauty always surrounds us! This bay was FULL of Moon Jellies (jellyfish) that were floating by on our approach.

Janets friends were all telling her "you have to see the white sand beach at Destin, so we took a trolley ride over and walked along the shore in the pure white sands, it actually squeaked under your feet as it compacted with each step I would suppose due to it's being so fine? Fun squeaky walk!

Of course I had to capture this squiggly sea grass popping out of the sand with the rays of low light streaming across the sand.

Sunset from the bow of Veda L (always a little out of focus on a gently rocking boat, but a sliver of moon in the sky, a beautiful night, we had huevos rancheros for dinner that night and we said, "great table we got for dinner, just look at this view!" We must KNOW somebody!!

Christ Church built in 1832, on eof the oldest in Florida. 2009 celebrated the 450th year of the anniversary of one of the first Spanish-European landings in Florida when Tristan DeLuna arrived in Pensacola Bay, an end was brought to their efforts 2 weeks later when a hurrican hit. 1698 is when Pensacola actually got settled.

25 cents will buy you one! Of course we each had our own dozen!

This is Pensacola Penny the baby blue heron taken two years ago. A story that has been repeated many times, me telling Bob "I don't think you are as commited to this bird as I am" only to have him go borrow a knife from a guy in an alley, dove a dumpster to get a cardboard box to cup up and fashion a smaller box for "our" bird.

Buddy says "Mom! Aunt Janet has me on the edge of danger, Dog River Marina, Mobile Alabama, all dressed up for a lovely dinner at Sista Sue's new home, Rachaels Mom.

Janet and I getting off Veda L. to take a walk through the historic district of Pensacola, in search of martini's and oysters!

Our guardian butterfly, Monarchs typically fly south in "flocks" but a singular Monarch shows up every day, I will have to tag it to see if it is the same one...tagging butterflies? Hmmmm.

We found the 2.25 martini's! Nirvana on a corner in Pensacola.

DOG RIVER TO DESTIN

Oct. 20, 2009

Dog River to Pensacola

What's wrong with .25 cent oysters and $2.25 cent martini's?

 

Early departure from Dog River and a little choppy ride, but got into Pensacola at around 3:00, we were met at the dock by Drew, the young man who took the bird I save 2 years ago home with him and saw that it was taken to a wildlife refuge and later released back into her natural habitat. I named the little Blue Heron Pensacola Penny, and wonder if perhaps the huge Heron the dock could be her?

 

Janet and I took a walk through the Pensacola Historic District which is comprised of mostly historic homes for tour, just a few are owner occupied. Christ Church from 1832 is a treasure, and one of the oldest churches in FL. Of course the area was closed on Monday so we had to window peek only! On our way back to the boat we found a bar that posted "½ price drinks for ladies, anyday..anytime!" All right, we found our nirvana in Pensacola. We ordered "call drinks" and when the bill came it was $5.75 for a dirty goose martini (me) and a cosmopolitan for Janet.

 

We stopped at a haberdashery to buy Capt Bob a new belt and ended up buying him almost a new wardrobe, beautiful things for my Capt! We met Bob at Atlas Oyster, a restaurant on the water, they had a sign posted "Monday-Oysters .25 cents" Needless to say, we all started our dinner off with a dozen Appalachicola Oysters, not as briny as 2 years ago, but due to the amount of rain we have experienced I assume it keeps some of the salt out of the shells. We all had different versions of Gulf Shrimp and shared, a great meal including fried green tomatoes!

 

We are still seeing THE singular Monarch butterfly almost every day since Lock 20, I saw "her" today fly across our bow as we are approaching Destin, FL. Yesterday she showed herself in the Historic neighborhood and I took several photos of her. The first time she showed up was in the photo that Jon, lockmaster from Lock 20 in Canton, Mo took of us as we came through his lock. We watch for her everyday and feel as if she is a good omen for our journey, we refer to her as Veda L, stopping by to keep an eye on us!

 

Speaking of serendipity experiences, we are approaching Destin Florida where I had a incredible experience in a children's playhouse (no comments dear friends of mine) in a nature preserve next to our marina, this was the Nov my Mother passed away, and I always told her to give me a sign telling me that she was OK after her death. When sorting through her belongings we found a scrap of paper with John 3:16 written on it. I had Dylan "google" it the day we were composing her funeral service, to see what passage was important enough to Mother to make her write it down. This is a meaningful scripture to me as it confirms everlasting life, which is what I had often asked my Mother to communicate to me. I had the minister incorporate the verse into the services in Madison and again in Chicago. Anyway, back to the playhouse in the nature preserve; as I entered it and looked around I yelled "Bob, come here!" He bent over and entered the small space and together we looked in awe, as written out in full was the entire passage "for God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, so whosoever beliveth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." I will be anxious to go back to that little playhouse and see if there is any sign of the scripture having been there 2 years ago.

LIFE IS SWELL ON VEDA L

 

Maybe an "anti-submarine warfare vessel?" Who knows, but pretty stealth like! We see a lot of interesting international vessels going through Mobile shipyards as well. Next after the shipyards comes downtown Mobile, then Mobile Bay, then Dog River Marina!

This photo was taken this morning at 6:30am, my sister Janet did not see it! Buddy was getting his bounces and I had to set him down to take this picture.

This is the scene across the highway from Dog River looking out into Mobile Bay, it's going to be a sunny day, but will be in the 60's.

Someone who lives just south of the Demopolis dam has a sense of humor, posting a sign that says "see Rock City" and the other sign on the deck says Harbor Master and has a rope attached to a bell.

Just one of the Gazoodles of Egrets who have been hitching rides south vs. flying on trees floating downstream, this one is floating by Bobbies Fish Camp, they have Gumbo and fresh catfish!

Bobbies Fish Camp from another day when the sun was shining, moss hanging from trees, and Bobby cooks up some delectable dinners!

Demopolis lock and dam as we leave at the crack of dawn

Corner of Franklin and Commisioner Street In Demopolis, a more depressed area of town, as a rule I love Demopolis Al, a very historic area.

Ah, the beautiful Veda L waiting at the gas dock for the fog to lift so we can leave for Bobby's fish camp for the night.

Oh Oh. Bob's new friend "Mr. Policeman" sitting along the shore to be sure that Bob and Veda L. are getting out of Dodge before Capt. Bob creates any more traffic violations!

I just found this DRAFT in my Blog file, who knows why I didn't find it before, but it is an interesting one (I think) so off it goes totally out of order: This is morning mist hanging over Cooks Bend our anchorage before Demopolis, aka The Dismal Swamp.

This is just one of many "diving buoys" as we call them, it's the ones that are totally submerged that you have to try to miss by watching buoy position on your chart, the river is over 13' above norm here, so the tow boat capts say "go anywheres you want to", but the buoys may be hanging just below the water line, so OUCH.

Coming into Demopolis Bob yelled for me to run up to the pilot house, of course camera in hand I caught these two deer swimming across the river. Beautiful!

A Real Bob Day!

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Linda Besk <lindabesk@gmail.com>
Date: 2009/10/15
Subject: A Real Bob DaY!
To: Lindabesk <Lindabesk@gmail.com>


Dear Family,  5:23am Thursday

If I ever get online again this will go through, I am at Demopolis Yacht Basin, thought I would get up early while other boaters are off-line and perhaps get an internet connection, my at&t wireless card which should allow me access shows a great signal but is not connecting either, which the "Help" guy the other day explained to me is due to cooperating companies such as Bell South having lesser signals.  Yippie, love technology!

Anyway, yesterday morning leaving Cooks Bend was uneventful, the drift was less than the day before but still the occassional tree that drifted by!

As we approached Demopolis Bob yelled for me to come up to the pilot house to show me two deer crossing the river in front of us.  I quickly grabbed my camera, Bob cut back the engine and drifted closer to them as to give me a good angle but not scare the b-jeesus out of them.  IF I EVER GET INTERNET CONNECTION I will send you one of the pics. It was a Doe and her youngster who was almost as big as she.  Very cool.

Demopolis did not have room for us on the end of the T dock where they usually put us, so they put us down at the end of a couple of finger docks, Not so bad coming bow in, but will be a bit of a challenge getting out.  Bob has studied the situation however and has a spring line fashioned with a fender for me to fend off our swim platform from the dock if need be.  I will get the full explanation of the "How To" when he gets up and has some coffee.  People think this boating is easy, takes an engineer and a shoe horn to get out of where people put us in, like I say...it's like driving a Greyhound bus with no rear view mirrors.

When will I learn to take my camera even when going to the grocery store.  I had it in my hand and thought to myself "why would I need a camera at a grocery store?"  Mistake.  

First of all, Bob is one of the best boat captains ever regarding navigating and steerage, no matter where he is.  But put the man in an unfamiliar car, or even mine for that matter, then put him outside of Stillwater and we have a problem.  I usually tolerate it for about 5 minutes then say "pull over, I'm driving."  This time I was kind and let him fumble his way to the post office, trying not to criticize his skills, then I let him proceed to the grocery store. 

 At a T intersection we had to go left, due to a curve in the road Bob did not notice that the road had a median, so as Bob made his left turn he suddenly realized that he was turning into oncoming traffic, I yell "U-Turn!" just as he was making the same choice.  Problem....the only car coming down the "wrong way" street was a squad car, I say "great..you just made a u-turn in front of a squad" so he makes a right turn into McDonalds and waits for the flashing lights to pull in behind him.  Officer is very large, has the hat with the strap behind his ears, rope on the brim, he folds his arms and along one forearm in large letters is tattoed TRUST NO ONE.  To Bob...you know why I stopped you?  To Officer:  I made an illegal u-turn in front of a squad car on a wrong way street?"  To Bob:  Yes Sir  To Officer:  I had 3 choices; I could have kept going and had an accident, I could have stopped and gotten hit, or I could make a quick U-Turn which I did as nothing was coming but you officer.  To Bob:  You made the right choice, you from the Dempolis Yacht Basin?  (Yes we are, at this time hands Ofcr the license), from MN Sir.  Officer: You by chance didn't come in with that big white boat not long ago did ya?  Bob: The trawler?  Yes, we did.  Officer:  Beautiful boat, beautiful boat, was having lunch with my Dad at the restaurant there and we watched you come in, you knew exactly how to work that entrance channel with the current (I interject...He drives a boat much better than a car)  So, Bob did not get a ticket, but we had a hard time leaving the officer as he wanted to talk boating, telling us how he used to be on the Miss Rita tow boat and how he has to be consious of how he treats people when giving tickets and arresting them as someday he will be accountable to God.   Bob making friends. 

I went for a nice run through town, they have a historic section and an old fashioned town square, so it's a fun run.  Coming back I see Bob on the next dock over chatting with an incoming boat.  Just Bob making friends again, later after dinner a couple were in the lobby of the restaurant (where I had a crawfish wrap which was delicious, Bob had crab cakes) I thought these people were a little "cool" as we chatted and parted ways, Bob commented that he didn't understand why they even spoke to us; "Why Bob?"  "Well, he explained, when they pulled into their slip the man got off the boat, raised his arms up and said "on a scale of 1-10, how did I do?"  Bob replied "I would only give you a 5" Boater says "Why only a 5?"  Bob..."Because you didn't back in!"  Bob says to me, "anyone can pull a twin engine boat bow into a slip...what was the big deal?"  Bob out there making friends!!  The couple were completely decked out in Exuma Wear to show where they have been, she had on the Chat and Chill T-shirt from what we call "chicken island" as so many boaters get there and never go further.  Now that I think about it, when I saw her T-shirt I said "So you've been to Chicken Island" later found out from Bob that they never went further than that....Guess I make friends well too!  Husband had his Exuma Yacht Club T shirt on.  Gold chains of course.

On our way up to dinner we met two boaters that came in on a Hatteras.  Entering the restaurant there was only one booth that actually had good light, so I asked them if they wanted to join us and take the large booth in the corner.  We introduced ourselves; the small dude was Oscar, the elderly gentleman was Hal.  Hal Jones.  Bob says "THE Hal Jones?" As Bob's jaw dropped to the table! Hal says "Yes, indeed.  My wife doesn't get it, it's embarrassing sometimes"  Now, I of course have no idea who the hell Hal Jones is, but finally pick up that he is famous as the largest Grand Banks dealer in the U S of A. He also knows Stan Hubbard and spends time on MIMI in the Bahamas every year.  He said he has probably had over 80 boats in his lifetime, and interjected "almost as many wives."  A crusty character that I hung back and chatted with on the way back to our boats, my arm thru his to steady him in the dark going down the ramp, as we approached our boat he said "You have a fine boat and a fine husband, I responded that I felt very lucky on boat counts, and can you believe it...he even plays the banjo"  Don't know why I added that really, but his face lit up and said "Really?  I simply love listening to someone play the banjo"  He was impressed when I told him that Bob plays a 5 string Gibson, and that tomarrow night at Bobbies Fish Camp he is comin' aboard and Bob will play banjo for him.  Of course Bob is as happy as can be, incredulous in fact that he will be playing banjoy for Hal Jones.  Oh, why would the largest dealer of Grand Banks buy a Hatteras?  Just for this trip.  He wanted to do the Tenn-Tom, there was a good deal on a Hatteras, so he bought it, hired a captain and away he goes..... 

A perfect day, but of course, as LIFE IS SWELL ON VEDA L!!

This Armadillo at Columbus Marina says "ya'll can kiss my hairy backside!" I never realized how hairy they are, and their finger nails/claws...my my, so much in need of a manicure/pedicure!

We had "issues" all day, I do believe a little gremlin got onboard. First the starter did not work, so we thought we would lose a day getting it fixed, then Bob realized that he had a spare part for it and fixed it by 10am, my hero! We got into Stennis Lock and Dam and this is what we saw, water hyacinths galore and lumber, trees, stumps you name it. We knew it was going to be another day of Dodge-em cruising. The river has gone up 14', Our boat is full displacement so we tend to push things out of the way, and our prop is up into our hull, less likely to get damaged by debris. Regardless, we pick stuff up on our stabilizers and all of a sudden hear a clang and banging, then have to get the sticks off and proceed. We tried to go into Sumter Cove but barely slid over a sandbar at the entrance with our depth showing 0 under the keel. REVERSE! So, we came back north to Cooks Bend and here we are anchored for the night, safe and sound!
LIFE IS SWELL ON VEDA L

The bouncing red ball shows where we are on Bob's computerized chart, getting closer to Mobile and Rachaels Mom "Sista Sue" My Sister Janet will be meeting us in Mobile to join us on the Oyster Run....where we eat oysters as many times a day as possible!

This guy gets the award-"Tenancious fisherman"!

These crazy Cormorants played leapfrog with us, fly a few yards ahead, then land,fly,land,fly, land, till they finally flew down a creek enmasse.

We noticed a boat we knew from a previous trip as we arrived at Columbus, and they had gone shopping; the opportunists (us) decided that they needed a furry greeter, and if you look on their bow you will see who paid them a visit. A video would have been great when they returned, their final comment "Pay back can be hell!"