December 5 2021

Up at dawn and headed to the beaches next to the inlet we are leaving from tomorrow. We traversed the bay and anchored out near the sandy white beaches of Santa Rosa Island. We got the dinghy down and headed to the white shores to see what we could see. Stepping out into the water to pull the dinghy up we noticed all the bird tracks on the sand and all the untouched sand near the dunes. Dunes are off limits due to corrosion and just decimation by human interactions. Andrea and Barry pulled out the beach chairs and I immediately ordered some off of the internet. They have a little cooler and cup holder with other storage and can be worn as a backpack, you just cant beat that! Tommy Bahama chairs. We sat off to cross the road in between the bay and the ocean beaches, stepping in the sand on the beach side I enjoyed the little birds running harry scary on the beach haha. Looking like they are in a race with each other like mini speedy Gonzalez birds LOL. Ocean waves were kicking up on the beach with its cold wet fingers grabbing the sand and pulling it back into the ocean along with the shells and sand dollars it just pushed in. Got some great pics her that I will post as soon as I have enough internet service and time to sit and do it. This trip seems to be busier than the last one. Well time to sign off after exploring the shores and finding so many sting rays in the shallows on the bay side. Have a great night to everyone signing off with more to come!

Captains Log: watch the channel markers they can really sneak up on you!

December 4 2021

At pelican bay marina today and cant wait to go eat with Andreas brother and his wife in Tampa! We went to the Blue Marlin. While waiting for our waiter we were sat at some really low lawn chairs at a table(made for taller people obviously haha) and had to have them switched so we didnt feel like kindergartners at the adult table hahah. Anyway the food was fabulous and the company was even more fun than we have had in a long time! The restaurant was so crowded we had to sit in a corner, although what I realized was there were curtains that separated the tables and we could totally be in privacy if we wanted. The restaurant was really full but the food was excellent and we had a great time. Andreas brother provided us with a car and that Andrea and I took to the coolest little washateria owned by a neat woman in her 50’s. Everything was so clean and didnt cost a fortune so we got all of our clothes washed and ready for the next adventure. There was a real tree in the corner of the washateria that was so cool as it reached to the ceiling and had its own land mass in the corner of the store. On the way there we found us a McDonalds for tea and coffee. Back at the marina checking out the other boats on the dock as usual the old and dying, the for sale boats and the luxury boats. Some of them were getting all lit up for the christmas parade in the city that night. We didnt make it for the parade but enjoyed down time on the boat talking to the Australian sea captain next to us in a very cool old sailboat! Goodnight everyone and smooth sailing!

Today we leave for the ICW out of Mobile Bay toward Pirates Cove. The water is calm as glass and the sun is out and our boat buddies are following behind. Entering in to the ICW we were greeted by beautiful graceful dolphins swimming along side of us and swimming at our bow turning sideways jumping and playing. A large towboat with barge passes us on the port(left) side they look so big passing us, leaving a swirling sucking pool behind them. So much power in those boats! Continuing on we pass some cool houses and neat places as we travel along. Lulus came up on our port side. , Jimmy Buffets sister owns it. It is a great place to stop and eat. Neat outside dining on the waterway. After that Tacky Jacks came up on our starboard side. I have never been there, but it looks cool. A nice high end boatyard was on our port side with some beautiful yachts there. I loved seeing the Welcome to Gulf Shores sign on the road by the ICW headed into gulf shores. My son loves to go to Gulf Shores on vacation. We finally arrived at our destination of an anchorage by Pirate Cove. We carefully made our way into the narrow shallow opening to the anchorage. There was lots of room in the open area by the dock. we tied up to Caretta as their anchor is a sure bite into the bottom-of the anchorage! we dropped our dinghy’s and headed to Pirates Cove to get some great food. We had heard great things about it. As we walked in we noticed several locals at the bar. The bartender tried to ignore us you could tell by her tone of voice. We sat outside after we ordered at the bar. That took the p person in charge behind the bar at least 10 min to let us know that is how you order! I was very disappointed in the food, i think that was because there were only locals there and we were treated like we were in the way. I am sure this place is hopping on the weekends but this weekday must have been off. Th place is really cool and i will come back to try it again. But this day it sucked. Back to our boat for a peaceful nights rest after admiring the Christmas lights on the sailboats at the house docks near us.