Day 150 & 151 November 17 - 18, 2022

 Day 150 Thursday, November 17, 2022

Orange Beach Marina MM167 to Fort Walton Anchorage

48 degrees at 5:30am.  Arion, The Grand Wazoo and Eric's Inheritance left Orange Beach Marina at 6:15 once we had enough daylight.  The inlet markers had been tricky to follow and the water was pretty shallow so it was best not to try it in the dark.  Tug Bussle planned to stay another day.  Great sunrise at the bridge and a dolphin escort to the bay! 

     

This is NOT a hotel.  It is a private home with a huge boat and boat house!  

We had a naval "air show" as we passed Forts Pickens and McKee.  Two F-35s flew by together, split apart, and then rejoined.  We watched other planes do touch and goes.   Travel today included narrow marked channels  and large bays also marked with channels.  The bays are natural, not like those created by the locks and dams of the inland rivers.  

Even though the bays are large the marked waterway may not be.  That may help explain so many abandoned boats.  Free boat!  Zoom in......

 

We stopped at Two George's Marina for fuel at 2:30.  One boat at a time, it seemed like forever.  I calculated 2.81 gallons/hour.  Not too bad. 

   Seeing white sands now and watching for alligators.

Our plan was to anchor in the bay near the marina at Fort Walton.  Arion scouted out the situation and felt that it wasn't a good option.   We continued on for another hour to Boggy Bayou and then Tom's Bayou near Fishing Pier Point.  By this time (6:15) it was definitely getting dark.  We rafted with The Grand Wazoo while Arion rafted with Phil-N-Wild. 

Jerry grilled hamburgers wearing a headlamp.  It was cold; I had tea with dinner.  Hot chocolate for desert and early bed.  So cold and no heat at anchor; it was a 3 blanket night.

Day 151 Friday, November 18, 2022

Anchorage at Tom's Bayou to Point South Marina, Bay Point FL MM289 EHL

Man is it COLD!! 31 DEGREES at 5:30am.  It was a restful night; the boat didn't move at all.  It was a 3 dog night but we had to settle for 3 blankets...  Sixty-three miles to go to a warm marina.  We left our anchorage driving from below enjoying the relative warmth from inside.

 

Arion and Phil-N-Wild                                                        Al pulling anchor

  

Joe pulling anchor                                            Laura at the helm

  Sunrise as we started our day

The engines have been idling more smoothly since the fuel filters were changed but seem to be rougher at higher speeds.  Jerry took the opportunity and revved them to higher speeds in the open water.  We actually got up to 15.1 knots!  Blowing out the turbos really helped; the engines are running much smoother.   We met the tow Miss Desty at the Chocktawhatchee Bridge. We needed to speed up to overtake it before the bridge; we didn't want to be stuck behind it in the narrows for several miles ahead.

   Miss Desty now behind us   

 

This boat may not be abandoned.  It is securely tied to shore and with lawn chairs on land may actually be someone's home.  We have seen soo many abandoned and wrecked boats.

We saw lots of dolphins playing in the 1-2 foot seas.  No pics though since we were still inside the boat.  We arrived at the marina around 2pm.  Point South Marina is all new in a resort community and golf course.  The marina has been rebuilt after a hurricane wiped it out.  The fixed docks are wide with pilings to tie off to.  Although the marina isn't officially reopened it is quite full.  There was already 11 looper boats with our arrival and 8 more expected tomorrow.   No Wi-Fi yet but they do have in slip pump out and free laundry!

So much salt on the boat.  Jerry rinsed it off but it will need a good scrub when it gets warmer.  Abbreviated docktails due to the cold, we ate grilled ham and cheese sandwiches and tomato soup then went to Phil-N-Wild for warm cookies and games.

Day 148 & 149 November 15 - 16, 2022

 Day 148 Tuesday, November 15, 2022

Are we really in the south?? The weather today is quite cold with the temp in the 50's and very breezy.  Good day to get things done on the boat.  It was an opportunity for Jerry to change the fuel filters with help from our friends.  Next time will be much easier.  Jerry and Joe hunted for the fuel shut off before attempting and couldn't find it anywhere.  Joe tried to consult a couple of mechanics he knew but no one called him back.  Finally he thought of Captain Chris Caldwell.  

Chris is an AGLCA sponsor and provides consultation services, boat education  seminars, video training, and operates Captain Chris Yacht Services.  He and his wife, Alysse, will come on your boat and teach you the essentials you need to captain your own boat, especially valuable if you  are new to boating.  Captain Chris knew exactly where to look for the fuel shut off  - at the back of the fuel tank, behind the batteries.  Who knew!!  

By the time Jerry was done he had the help and moral support of Joe, Al, Danny and Russ.  As Susan put it, they had a "boy party".  

 

  Battle scars; job well done.

I stayed out of the way, did laundry and talked to Dad.

Time to clean up.  Jerry showered, then my turn and NO water.  Our water pump had died.  Tomorrow's project.  I headed off to the bath house for my shower while Jerry considered our new challenge.

Flora-bama here we come -- or so we thought.  We couldn't get an Uber.  Scott, the marina manager tried too but no luck.  We ended up walking to Tacky Jacks and had a good time with Tug Bussle, Arion, Phil-N-Wild and The Grand Wazoo.  I'm sure it was a happening spot during the warm summer.

 

  

                                            Bushwackers!

Day 149 Wednesday November 16, 2022

Cold here, but not the 3-4 inches of snow they got at home!

Jerry diagnosed our water pump problem as a failed pressure switch.  Not available at the marina repair (Saunder's Marine) Jerry went on line to find one.  No one locally had the switch.  Saunder's could order the switch or a pump but it would be a few days.  The local West Marine had their brand of pump, hopefully that would work.  Scott at Saunder's graciously drove Jerry to West where he actually found the Jabsco brand that we needed.  In no time we had water again.

Today, Flora-bama was a reality.  With 8 of us headed there we needed 2 Ubers to get the job done.  Russ and Janet joined us later, so that was actually a 3rd Uber.  Flora-bama is located on the Orange Beach Alabama and Perdido Key, Florida line. It has been a community landmark since 1964. Florabama is a restaurant, beach bar and live music venue.  There are 5 different stages with musicians playing all genres.  We were surprised by Rachel and Don from Beyond -- we looked up and there they were!  We were there at 2pm and the joint was already packed.  We shared a table with a couple that may have had second thoughts about inviting us to sit.  Soon we were 12 people hanging around the table.

   

Right on the beach.  To bad it was so cold.

  

License plates spelling out different words.

 

Yes, those are bras hanging from the ceiling.

The décor relies on customer participation!  Patrons have written on anything that doesn't move, including walls, tables, doors and bathroom stalls.

Laura, Susan, Rachel and Jerry

Danny

 

                                                    

Super Loopers AGLCA.  We all signed the table with our our names and boat.  They sell the markers in the gift shop of course!! 

Day 146 & 147, November 13 - 14, 2022

 Day 146 Sunday, November 13, 2022

Orange Beach Marina, Orange Beach Florida

It's Sunday and we are at a marina -- we are headed to church.  It has been interesting to see the different churches, priests and congregations along the way.  So much is familiar -- the mass, the songs, but the traditions that are continued can be surprising.  We attended St. Thomas by the Sea with Arlene.  This was a newer, more modern church full of parishioners.  The Priest asked for the  full time parishioners to stand.  They accounted for about 5% of us attending!  He thanked the visitors for supporting the church and welcomed the snowbirds back for the winter.  He also apologized for how cold it was!

Fisher's Restaurant has a happy hour on Game days so we enjoyed some football and snacks with The Grand Wazoo, Tug Bussle, and Arion.  There are a lot more loopers now at the marina.

Originally we were going to check out a local attraction, Florabama.  We decided to wait for Phil-N-Wild to arrive tomorrow.  Besides, much of the venue is outside and it's just too cold.  Instead we hosted dinner on Eric's Inheritance - two bean chicken chili made in the Ninja Foodie.  I had to call Courtney for the recipe.  I was sure that I had brought it with me.  Laura brought cornbread, Arlene brought salad and Janet brought appetizers.  It wasn't easy but we managed to seat everyone for dinner.

Day 147 Monday, November 14, 2022

Orange Beach Marina

The marina is pretty big, with LOTS of BIG boats, especially fishing boats.

 

Todays plan was a bit of retail therapy for the ladies.  Laura, Arlene and I explored Tanger Outlets.  It was nice to get off the boat.  We all managed to spend some money. The boys stayed behind and did "boy" things.  Susan and Danny on Phil-N-Wild arrived while we were gone.

  Salt Water Margarita at Fishers -- Salt water foam instead of salt on the rim.

Some Monday night football at Fisher's followed by leftover chili on board.

We couldn't refuse an invitation by Joe and Laura to join them on their boat for Rummikub and ice cream.  Susan was the big winner.  We postponed Florabama one more day hoping for warmer weather.