MN VISITORS AND A WONDERFUL SUNSET!

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 19

Yep, time to move on.  

Most of the power boats were underway by 8:00 AM.  

We hung back to let it warm up a bit and to give Molly some Dramamine.  We were tied up to what they call a lay along dock.  

Headed out and wave heights were supposed to be 2-3 with some 5's.  Thought we would buddy boat with Leslee and they stopped to fuel up on the way out so we didn't actually leave the marina until almost 10AM.

This is another day where we cannot traverse the ICW and have to get out in the Gulf again.  Working our way out to the gulf we encountered lots of shrimp boats, like right in the channel!  

John radioed one and asked his intentions and he did not respond but proceeded to turn in front of us.  Wove our way through those and finally hit the gulf.  We had hoisted the main sail in the harbor and had the genoa out but we getting only a bit of wind to push us along.  We decided to motor sail just to get past the shrimpers and once out of their territory sailed for a while.  Then a radio call comes on channel 16 announcing a missile test by the Navy and basically tells us we cannot go the direction we are currently heading.  We didn't get the whole transmission so John asked for a repeat and next thing he knows he is talking to the Navy.  They direct him to avoid the immediate area and head at least 4 miles off shore as they are doing missile testing and recovery drills.  So not only do we get a late start but now we have to head a lot further offshore than we intended AND we are switching over to the Eastern time zone today.  At least it is sunny!

Adjusted our heading and continued on.  No big deal really.  The waves were not as advertised and were pretty tame but unfortunately that means the wind was slack as well.  We ended up motor-sailing pretty much the entire way.  Leslee was way behind us and falling back but looked like they were doing OK so we forged ahead, heading for Port St. Joe Marina.  

As we enter the Marina, we see Burke from Estrellita on the shore with fishing rod in hand.  I ask about his luck and he says he is doing well.  Stell in on the boat and anoounces she has appetizers ready.  We tell her thanks but we have guests meeting us here and maybe we will see them later, if not tomorrow.  

Got Free Bird all tied up and met Joe and Mona Longtin who we know from our days of sailing the Apostle Islands up in Bayfield, WI  - Lake Superior.  They were down in New Smyrna Beach, FL and are coming back North heading home.  

We took in sunset from the cute little bar here at the marina and waited for sailboat Leslee to come in.  

Stell & Burke helped Leslee tie up since the marina staff left at 5 which gave us the opportunity to spend time with our visitors.  Headed out to Free Bird where Joe & Mona's cute little dog Coconut joined us.  It was just too cold to leave her in the car.  We had a few beverages and shared a pot of gumbo I made while enroute today.  (Yes, we locked Molly in our cabin...didn't think she was ready to meet Coconut!)

Haven't seen these folks in quite a while and it was great to catch up with them.  So glad they took the time to stop and visit!  

I am watching my cat and my husband snooze as I write which means it is time to sign off and take them to bed.  Hope wherever you are tonight you are warm and snuggling with someone you love!!