Flawda----Finally!!!

Finally--- We have reached Florida.

After a relaxing couple of days in Orange Beach, Alabama we have moved on to our home for the next several weeks (or, rather, the new home for the boat) as we travel to Colorado Springs and Vail to be with family for Christmas and New Years. We really lucked out and found this very nice marina in the old downtown area of Pensacola--just a short walk away from restaurants, bars, shops--everything but a grocery store--. This town is very nice and they have done a beautiful job renovating this downtown area. The marina is brand new--floating docks, excellent security, nice facilities--We'll chill here for a few days as we await our trip west.

We had a very nice but cold trip over from Orange Beach, arriving just in time for the second half of the Saint's game and for the entire/miserable/pathetic Steelers loss to the Jets after taking a nice long exer-walk up Palafox St to the business section where we found all the restaurants, bars and shops--fortunately, they were mostly closed--I have a feeling we'll be back, though, before we leave.

The original plan had been to keep moving to Panama City, leave the boat there and fly off for the Holidays, but as plans always go when it comes to this life style--plans seldom become reality. We learned along the way that there are three bridges between here and Panama City, along the ICW, that we can't get under because of the height of our mast. SO--we will have to go off shore from here to somewhere south of Panama City, probably Port St Joe or just on to Appalachicola---the weather window will detrmine how far and where the next stopping point will be. As Diane does not want to venture off shore we had to stop here until I can arrange at least one other crew to go with me in the hop down the coast.

(Downtown Pensacola from the bay)

That will wait until after the holidays. Meanwhile we are "stuck" in a very nice spot. Finally the weather has moderated--would have been a great weather window to take off across the Gulf--

We rented a car to take in the sights in the area and to get us to the Panama city airport on Friday. Yesterday we drove in to Destin to see our old next door neighbors, Ron and Maryann Porter, who moved into a beautiful high rise there about three years ago. Maryann is a designer and Ron is now a contractor working with their 2 boys doing remodeling jobs in the area and building some homes. Their beautiful condo reveals their talents--it is incredible. It's on the Bay, a view of the ICW surrounded by golf course and gorgeous grounds.

We had a delicious Italian dinner at a family owned and run restaurant--La Famiglia--in Destin and home again for another early night to bed.

The ship below is docked on the other side of the marina. It is the S/V Peacemaker, a good will tall ship from Brazil---free walk aboard tours--165 feet long and 33 feet wide--quite a vessel.

(By the way--for those who have forgotten what we look like--that's us right in front of the ship.)

(The Palafox Marina in Pensacola)

So----sight seeing today and tomorrow. Some boat cleaning and then its off to Colorado on Friday. We plan on relaxing and doing a lot of hugging and spoiling the Grandkids.

I'm going to get some skiing in while in Vail, maybe some hiking and just lots of good family time.

I probably won't be posting again for a while so to all following this blog we want to wish you all a very happy Christmas, full of all the blessings of life and love. Remember our young men and women of the military around the world who offer their ultimate sacrifices day in and day out--If you can--try to find a way to help out their families for the Holidays. Operation HomeFront is an excellent organization helping many of these families.

MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR