Friday, December 31, 2010

85° 18.581’ W

29° 48.919’ N

Port St. Joe Marina

Port St. Joe, Florida

HAPPY NEW YEARS EVE!!!!



Leaving Panama City



Along the Intercoastal Waterway

Barb and I have arrived in Port St. Joe, Florida after a 50 mile trip that was very pleasant. The weather was warm, seas calm with few other boats encountered. It truly was good to get back on the water again after our brief one month visit to the cold and snowy city of Chicago! It’s not hot here but the additional 50 degrees sure feels good!

On our approach to the marina, the Harbor Master assigned us to a face dock between two other looper boats, “Quest” on our bow and “Present Moment” on our stern. As we approached the space between the two boats the wind kicked up there was a few busy minutes getting the boat next to the dock and safely secured! Usually, there seems to be lots of help when you fly the looper flag which is always appreciated!



Quest - Moor $tuff - Present Moment
Lady Royal - Gypsea

 There are a total of five lopper boats including “Moor $tuff” now tied to the same dock the two I mentioned plus “Lady Royal” and “Gypsea”.

 New Years Eve was a hoot! Ricki and Carl on Quest, prepared a dinner fit for a king serving Lobster and Steak that we cooked at the table! A very hot slab of Granite resting in a metal frame and attached to a wooden tray was placed in front of each guest. The food was then prepared individually to our own personal preference!



 Shortly after finishing our dinner, Sue and Darrel from “Present Moment” invited the four of us to their boat to join with their guests, Ron and Debbie from ‘Lady Royal” The desert was wonderful as was the Champagne and company.



Ball drop!

Port St. Joe isn’t New York City with its crystal ball drop, so Ron rigged a large orange fender used to protect the boat from bumping the dock and lowered it at the stroke of midnight!



New Years Eve turned out to be a great deal of fun with lots of laughs – just one hell of a good time!