Started on our journey to Clearwater Florida today. It will be an overnight sail into the 17 so that we can leave for home on the 19^th for Christmas. The day started out foggy and rough with no chance to stop on the way if conditions worsened. We put out the sails and as the saying goes “keep calm and sail on”. As the trip continued conditions lessened and was very pleasant overnight. We braved the rough waters and fog and had a great cruise to Clearwater. Arriving on the morning of the 17^th we came into the narrow channel with the shallow water on either side and found a place to anchor in the anchorage close to the Clearwater Municipal Marina where we stayed before. They had no transient room for us due to increased boat travel since Covid was released. Caretta also found a place to anchor and we took some time to nap and then on to Clearwater. We went to the marina and made arrangements to dock our boats in two unused permanent slips that were available. They would not let us use the shower rooms until we were actually in the slips but later on they gave us the codes.(we had already paid for the slips). They were very nice. We walked down to Frenchys on the beach for some great food. It was really great to see all the places we were when we where there ten years ago. Taking the dinghy and just motoring around to find all the places we use to go. The dolphin aquarium, with other rescued animals there also. I think it is like an animal hospital. Anyway we came back to the anchorages where there are too many derelict boats,i think the homeless live in a few of them. Good idea really. If you ever meet me ask me this “three went out two came back”. It is a very good story. Signing off stay tuned.

December 14-15 2021

On our way to Carabelle Florida for a stop then onto Clearwater Florida after that. Carabelle had a cool shop and marina. We had a nice slip coming in there was a guy helping us tie up and then we trekked over to the dockmasters office to pay for our slip and find out some info for our trip the next day. The marina office had a cool place to sit and swing while looking out at the water where there was a low spot and the entertainment for the viewers was watching people ignore the markers and go aground there. It was an alright marina since we were toward the end of the docks due to low water. The showers were OK you could tell they needed a little TLC but clean enough after I cleaned the shower stall before showering. I give them a 6 on the 1-10 scale. The Fishermans Wife restaurant was really very good and a short walk to the marina. The owner sat down with us and called her husband who was a fisherman and helped us with the weather. The owner said it was doable but rough so of course doable is us. We showered in the wooden building with a second floor apartment that was being refurbished. The door had a busted lock so not a problem getting in. NO code needed lol. Walked back down the very used wooden stairs and to the boat. We met several people on the dock today that gave us their boat info so we could look them up. One of the couples were headed home that Andrea had contacted and we met, he had an incident with his hand and an anchor that was going to take a while to heal. I wish him the best and a quick recovery. SO signing off for now. Stay tuned.

Today we pulled anchor and left for the ICW to Apalachicola Florida. We have never stopped here before and I am excited to get to this place as all the loopers and boaters talk about stopping here. I loved the new scenery on the way. The first stop was shell island and since I was under the weather Steve, Barry, and Andrea dinghied over to the island to check it out! Steve brought back some cool shells for me. We then headed out under sail to the inlet to the intercoastel waterway to Apalachicola. The sail was a little foggy then clearing as we came upon the inlet to the ICW. It was interesting to see all the old boats and docks the hurricanes had destroyed that had not been repaired. Sad to see sailboats just sinking or rotting away and it made me realize how wasteful people are. The system is made up in such a way that it would rather see objects rot and waste away rather than give to people or auction them off to someone who needs them. Two huge boats that were used for scuba diving in the bahamas were just sitting on the side of this canal to waste away! It was an inclusive boat that the divers lived on while on their diving vacation. All the equipment needed for diving and the boat itself had diving platforms, so you didnt have to do anything just eat sleep and dive on this boat. I got to watch two dolphins off my bow (mother and calf) swimming along with us for several minutes then approached by another big dolphin that swam with them then turned his head to the mom and she looked like she was replying by turning her head toward him. They then dived and we lost sight of them. Almost as if the big dolphin was telling them it was time to go. Plenty of shrimp boats on the side of the canal and then buildings falling into the water. Plenty of bald eagles sitting in the trees watching us as we go by like sentries watching over their territory. The foliage was beautiful to see as the trail wound around like a vine up a tree. Then we came upon a wide water area where a swing bridge sat in the middle of it. It looked so cool and I was sad to see it was no longer in use. But so cool to see… Coming up on Apalachicola we found a cool place to anchor in front of the old docks. There was actually no place to really dock your dinghy at the defunct docks looking as if they had not been tended for years and the one marina on our side of the bridge would not let us dock unless we were at the marina. I understand that but wanting to charge us so much to tie up was not good. We dinghied back down to an abandoned dock that was easily accessible to the town. It was at the back of an unused restaurant that was fenced up. Great place to tie up if you anchor on the north side of the bridge. We walked to a restaurant that looked like an old gas station(called the station)it was actually an old garage turned into a restaurant and a great one at that! We found the best ice cream soda fountain ever! And some of the cutest shops to browse in. From homeade soaps to cool hats and stuff with cool sayings. It was a town I would love to have spent another day in. Maybe on the way back home. Stay tuned and smooth sailing.

A relaxing day performing boat duties and met our friends for dinner again and checking out the lights at St Andrews bay park. Check out our pics. Today is also my sons birthday so it is a real special day for me since he is my only child. Happy Birthday Daniel Shane Smith!

December 10 2021

Today is not so full of adventure as usual, we went to run errands to west marine and restocking our boat. So I will post some pics for you guys.

December 9 2021

Steve and I spent the day with Linda and David enjoying the calm laid back atmosphere. She has a precious little Pomeranian by the name of Teddy and a Cocker Spaniel named Gina. I took her to pick up Teddy at the vets as he was having some tests performed to see what was going on with him not being 100%. Later on we went back to Ernies where Kim and Lana met us and we had a great time, they came back to the boat to check it out. After lots of laughs and talk we dinghied them back to the dock and said our goodbyes. I am so grateful that Kim took time off to fly down to panama city to see us! Thanks kid. Another day in the books for Big Moose and the adventurous captain Steve and admiral Denise. Stay Tuned fans.

December 8 2021

Steve’s mom was gracious enough to let us use her car while we were in town. Thank you very much Linda and David! My cousin Kim had flown in to see us and stay with her best friend Lana Dulany who has a place in panama city beach. We went to her house to do our laundry and spend some fun and special times with our friends. Saw the coolest Octopus painting on her wall. Spent the day with them and ended up eating at Uncle Ernie’s restaurant right by the boat anchorages, and let me tell you they have the best food in St Andrews and PCB. Love seeing the Christmas lights all over the city and in St Andrews park near the docks. They put on the most beautiful light show every year . Stay tuned and smooth sailing fans.

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!