Thursday, December 30, 2010

85° 43.699’ W

30° 08.723’ N

Bay Point Marina

Panama City Beach, Florida

Barb and I went to the local waffle shop for breakfast (no food on the boat) then shopped for supplies to restock the boat with food. We tried to purchase an electric heater to replace our broken portable one, but with the cold weather down here every thing resembling a heater was sold out.

The rental car has been returned and our marina bill has been paid so we are free to get under way after first light. We will depart from here tomorrow morning before 8 am and cruise 50 miles to Port St. Joe, Florida. There is a major storm in the west covering 17 states and moving east. The local weather station is predicting high winds and rain as a direct result of the impending storm front! We want to get out of here ASAP to get settled in Port St. Joe. If we don’t beat the storm that’s coming we could get stuck here for three or four days!

On the bright side of getting out of here – we will meet up with friends (Ricki and Carl on Quest) and spend New Years Eve together.

Wednesday, December 29, 2010

85° 43.699’ W

30° 08.723’ N

Bay Point Marina

Panama City Beach, Florida

We returned to our boat after spending 30 days at home with family and friends. Two days after arriving in Illinois we drove to Ohio to have a holiday visit with Barb’s son Keith and his family. Our timing allowed us to enjoy one school program before returning to home.

On our return to Lombard, Barb flew to New Hampshire for a holiday visit with her other son Dan and his family.

We spent the Christmas holiday with my Daughters Sherri and Jill and their families. Being together is very special and the main ingredient to a special holiday season!

While we were home we squeezed every minuet from every day and saw as many of our friends as possible. There were a few we missed - only because we just ran out of time. Our next holiday season will have more time available to visit, as the boat will be in winter storage on the east coast.

Today our Grandson Patrick and his father Ray picked us up at 5am at our home then drove us to O’Hare airport for our return flight to Panama City Beach, Florida. Patrick who is in drivers training did a great job and will get his license this coming year!

We changed planes in Atlanta, Georgia arriving here around 11am. We then rented a car driving straight to the marina to check on how the boat faired during the freezing weather! We found the boat in perfect condition much to our relief. After checking all of the systems and running the engines we declared the boat ready to continue east!

Later in the day we drove to Pensacola Beach where Barb's son Dan and family were vacationing with in-laws. After a much to short a visit we returned to our boat, another 95 mile drive for some much needed sleep.

By the time we returned, the temperature had dropped below freezing and our portable heater decided to quit working so we added another power line to the boat and started up the internal heating system which was to be worked on in a couple of days! What’s another half hour working in the cold when all you want is sleep! The boat heated up quickly and we slept well!

Day 172 – Thursday, December 2, 2010

At Home

Lombard, Illinois

We left the marina at 9am with the temperature outside in the low 30s. The new airport in Panama City is very nice. The flight from Panama City to Memphis, Tennessee was pleasant even with the smaller type plane. From Memphis to Chicago on the larger plane the comfort level improved.

On our arrival at O’Hare Airport Sherri and Scott picked us up and we were later joined by Mark at a local restaurant. After a quick stop for dinner and a bottle or two of wine they took us home to a warm house as my other daughter Jill had thought to turn up the heat earlier in the day.

We have a full schedule while home so will wish everyone reading this blog a very happy holiday and look for us to return January 1^st, 2011!

Day 171 – Wednesday, December 1, 2010

85° 43.699’ W

30° 08.723’ N

Bay Point Marina (day 3)

Panama City, Florida

Today we did housekeeping. Barb finished the laundry and I fixed a problem with our plumbing!

Barb went to the local UPS store and shipped a box of charts, books and clothing to our home. Tomorrow we will be driven to the airport at 9am for a flight scheduled to leave at 11:25am for Chicago with one stop in Memphis.

Moor $tuff is ready to be stored and we are ready to return home!

Day 170 – Tuesday, November 30, 2010

85° 43.699’ W

30° 08.723’ N

Bay Point Marina (day 2)

Panama City, Florida

We are sure glad to be safely tied up in a safe harbor. Today has been very windy with occasional rain – hard rain – and tornado warnings all day!

In between rain drops I was able to complete the fresh water flushing of two engines, the AC system and the generator. All mechanical systems are now isolated from the salt water. Moor$tuff is now ready for a months rest at Bay Point!

Barb and I are in the process of packing items that we need to ship back to Illinois. Space is at a premium on a boat and anything that can be removed will be removed. Old charts are being replaced with new charts for we can continue on this adventure!

Tomorrow Barb will take the “STUFF” to a UPS store and have it shipped home. With luck we will have nothing to check through when flying home - only carry on luggage!