February 26, 2014 Marathon, Fl

Well, we did make it across the Gulf in one piece and journeyed all the way to Marathon Florida where we'll be until mid-March before heading back north.

For minutia, pictures go here to our Where is BeachQuest blog.

January 22, 2014 Panama City Marina

Yes, we are alive.  Still.  And in the still floating boat too.  We've been ensconced at Baytown marina in Destin Florida for the last few months and have finally moved on towards Carrabelle where we'll be heading across the Gulf to Dunedin in (I hope) a few days.  But weather windows open and close without warning so who knows.

Meanwhile I try and record all the minutia at our more active blog, where is beachquest

Dec 17, 2013 (still at) Baytowne Marina Destin,FL

Don and Linda took me golfing at Sea Scape Monday morning.  18 holes.  I didn't keep a firm score but rampant speculation was putting me around the very low 90, high 80's.  Maybe laying off golf for many months is the key to success?

We all had a few drinks at the marina afterwords when Mary Ann the parrot, just up and flew off her perch out over us heading out to the water.  After a short flight she ended up landing on the shore next to a raised walkway about a 100 yards away.  Her wings are clipped so flying is supposed to be near impossible for her.  Guess not.  Like I said she's a precocious avian we always seem to be crossing paths with lately.

Anyway I ran over, hopped a fence and she stepped right up on my arm.  I swear she looked relieved and a bit excited as if a latent talent was suddenly re-discovered.  Had a hard time getting up on the raised walkway with her on my arm but a kindly soul who knew birds took her and all was well.  Mary Ann though has been confined to her comfy closet/cage until the wing clipper person can render her flightless again.

No Green Flash

We returned to Elephant Walk that evening for a little impromptu cocktail party and dinner.  Clear skies an wonderful sunset.  No Green Flash though.

Dodge mini van for the trip north.  It has heat!

Any of you kids got a soccer game to go too?

Hertz, bless their hearts, picked me up this morning around 9:30 to finalize the rental car.  It was remarkably easy and  hassle free.  And I'm excited to report I used my new Florida drivers license to rent the van.

After a few errands we returned to the boat and began our always calm and measured packing routine.  Yeah...

A chilled snake

I went off to the fitness center for one last session but on the way stopped to check a phone message while on this deck pathway for a few minutes.  Felt an odd sensation on my right foot and lo and behold there was a demure brown serpent crawling across my ankle.  It made it's way across my foot onto the deck and then slithered under the side.  Fascinating!  Don't know what specie it was but probably a garter snake of some sort.  It was still pretty chilly so I guess the poor critter wasn't too functional in the cool air.

Found my boots!

Our packing is pretty much complete. The boat shutdown check list is ready, and we have all our dock lines secured.  And I found my Wisconsin shoes which are basically boots since up there snow seems to be all around.   Even located my gloves, jacket, heavy wool socks and sweatshirts.  Alas, no t-shirts or extra shorts.  But I'm obstinate!  I will be driving without pants tomorrow.  Long pants!  I'm still in shorts!




Leaving between 7 and 7:30 Wednesday morning.  Should be in Wisconsin by Thursday night.  I'll be the idiot in shorts.

December 15, 2013

Winter is upon us.  It's currently 40 degree's here in Destin at Baytowne marina.  The heaters are all on and we've found long pants and sweatshirts to ward off the chill our heaters cant extinguish.  So why are we starting to pack for a journey back to Wisconsin?   There is a helpful cadre of weather reporters keeping us informed of the current temperatures which sometimes creep up above single digits.  Wow!  We cant wait to enjoy the crisp cool air and examine this almost forgotten substance, snow.   Cant wait ...

You can find out what we're doing and whether we survive this upcoming arctic expedition here at our more detailed blog, Where is BeachQuest

 

November 25, 2013

We've been steadily trucking along towards the south but this week we're stuck in Pensacola waiting for the winds to get below 20 knots so we can make it to Destin for Thanksgiving.  Well that was the plan anyway.  We'll still be in Destin for Thanksgiving but by car since it's looking unlikely we'd be able to make it that far in this weather.  But for more details head over to  http://whereisbeachquest.blogspot.com/ where we write all the gory details.

On another weather note, instead of the A/C units humming away here in Florida, the heaters are blazing away here in Florida.  This was rather unexpected.  I've had to abandon shorts for a pair of long pants!  Ugh ...

October 21, 2013 Grand Harbor Marina

After several wonderful days of anchoring we made it to Pickwick Lock but had to wait for some time and that delay left us in the dark with 10 miles to Grand Harbor where we had originally planned on staying the night.  We opted instead for Pickwick Landing marina a short distance from the lock.  Exciting  way to enter an unknown marina. 

As before you can read more details about what we're up to here

And a map of where we are and have been can be found here

October 14, 2013 Green Turtle Bay marina

At Green Turtle Bay marina in Grand River, KY.  Wonderful place.  Fall colors are just beginning to show but it's been warm enough for us to go swimming in a little cove not far from here.

As before you can read more details about what we're up to here

And a map of where we are and have been can be found here