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Signaleer wrote:

fouz wrote:Which marina you staying at in dog river?

Fouz, want me to PM you too maybe we can all link up?

Ed.

Thanks for the invite.
Will be busy cutting grass and yard work at some land we bought that is pretty close to dog river. Thought about stopping by and at least saying hi. But can't make it to lulus.

Hi Signaleer,

I just scanned my email from the 16th on, and I don't see your PM. Not sure why not, because it usually works. Maybe you can try again. We'll be at Eastern Shore Marine tonight, and we plan on moving down to Bon Secour tomorrow. We have an offer of a free dock at a condo marina right at the entrance to the GICW. Hope we can get communications working. Not sure if we'll stay 1 or 2 nights at the free dock. Just depends on how we like it and what's to do nearby. We'll be pushing on toward Pensacola after that stop. On second thought, I'll try PMing you. Maybe that will work better.

Chinook wrote:Hi Signaleer,

I just scanned my email from the 16th on, and I don't see your PM. Not sure why not, because it usually works. Maybe you can try again. We'll be at Eastern Shore Marine tonight, and we plan on moving down to Bon Secour tomorrow. We have an offer of a free dock at a condo marina right at the entrance to the GICW. Hope we can get communications working. Not sure if we'll stay 1 or 2 nights at the free dock. Just depends on how we like it and what's to do nearby. We'll be pushing on toward Pensacola after that stop. On second thought, I'll try PMing you. Maybe that will work better.

I definitely sent you a PM on the 16th... its in my sent items folder.

Also I gave you a call and left a message.

You will be coming down the ICW on Tuesday or Wednesday - that should work. I look forward to linking up!

Ed.

Hi Ed,

We made it down to the free condo dock a fellow Mac owner offered to us. We're at Sunset Bay, right near where the GICW hits Mobile Bay, so I guess we're about 5 or so miles from Lulu's. We'll definitely be tied up at Lulu's dock by 11 or 11:30 tomorrow. Sorry about the phone problems. Both wifi and cell service at Eastern Shore Marina were poor. Fortunately Jim found us and is on ATT and T. His phone worked. I encouraged him to try and meet us for lunch also, and he said he'd try. Very nice guy, and very enthused over his new to him 26M. Looking forward to seeing you tomorrow.

Mike

Chinook,

I will be in the area of lulu's in that time frame. Give me a ring - left you a voicemail.

I may have a meeting till 12:00 - is 12:00 doable?

Ed.

I'm happy to report that the Lulu's rendezvous was actually pulled off. Both Jim and Ed made it for lunch, and Ed's mom joined us for a boat tour. While we were there, a couple of loop friends we first met up with way back on the Illinois River leaned over the railing to say hi. We're anchored near them this evening. The social aspects of boating, and Mac boating in particular, are not to be understated. Very fun day.

Trip update. We've completed our transit of protected waters on the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway, from Mobile Bay to Carrabelle FL. We're tied up at a marina in Carrabelle, hoping for a good weather window so we can make our Gulf crossing to Steinhatchee on Florida's west coast. This will be a 65 mile open water crossing, and we need settled conditions before heading out. As of now, it looks too windy on Sunday and Monday, but Tuesday looks possible. Wind speed forecast to be 5 to 7 mph, and wave heights under 2 feet. Wind direction is supposed to be out of the east, which would put it on our nose. Not ideal, but with settled seas, I think those conditions would be ok, if the forecast holds. More later, after we reach Tarpon Springs.

We completed the last leg of our Gulf crossing yesterday with a run from Crystal River to Tarpon Springs. It was a rough ride, with the forecast NE wind turning out to be a SE breeze, on our nose all day. 11 hours after setting out we arrived in Tarpon Sorings, and we were glad to get in. We're more than ready for some protected waters once again. It's rainy today, but tomorrow we'll drop down to Clearwater Harbor and take it easy for a few days before heading further south.

Glad you guys are doing well. Really enjoying reading your log and your posts!
Out of curiosity, has Sandy decided it's an adventure yet?
Safe Journey - jim

Chinook,
I think that the ship you saw at Pensacola Bay is the brand new USS Jackson (LCS-6). The facility building the trimaran design is in Mobile, Alabama. A different contractor in Wisconsin builds the monohull design. The one you saw in Mobile is probably the USS Montgomery (LCS-8). Only two trimaran designs have been officially commissioned, so it is a special treat to see one.

http://www.gdlcs.com/lcs-program

Sandy's definition of adventure is quite stringent, and involves being a long way from civilization. We have different views on the definition of the word, but we agree that undertaking this long of a cruise is a definite challenge on such a small boat. We've prepared well, but we're still in a different class when compared with the typical 40 to 50 foot trawlers and cabin cruisers doing the loop. Regarding the ships seen at Mobile Bay and Pensacola, very interesting craft. We passed right by the yard on Mobile Bay where the tri hull versions are being built. Two nearly completed ships were tied up out in front, and we could see another hull inside. We were paid a visit this morning by Obelisk, as he calls himself on this board. Very fine fellow, and we enjoyed getting acquainted. He even hauled me over to Walmart so I could pick up a few groceries. Jurgen is the 4th Mac owner we've met while on this cruise. There is definitely a unique bond among MacGregor sailors, and it's great to be able to experience it first hand. Thanks, Jurgen, for your warm greeting and helpful information regarding local waters.

Since reaching Clearwater on November 15 our pace has slowed considerably. We've changed plans and, instead of hurrying around the penninsula and pulling the boat out of the water in Miami for a holiday break, we've decided to pull out in the Ft. Myers area. Not nearly as hectic and expensive as around Miami. This means we've got lots of time on our hands, and short distances to cover. Not sure, but we may head down to the Ten Thousand Island area for a week or so and then back track. We have Thanksgiving dinner reservations at Cabbage Key Inn, and we're looking forward to that experience. We'll miss not being with family, but will make up for lost time over the Christmas/New Years holidays. Best wishes to all this Thanksgiving.

Mike and Sandy, aboard Chinook

we agree that undertaking this long of a cruise is a definite challenge on such a small boat

My wife and I agree. When we took our much shorter trip on the St. Johns river from Sanford to Jacksonville and back (300 miles round trip) 4 years ago, we found that about three nights in a row aboard was about all we wanted to do before taking a respite in a motel room, and getting a nice meal in a restaurant. That gave us a chance to rest a little better, enjoy a day off the water, explore nearby little towns like Astor, Palatka, and Green Cove Springs. That way you get to see all the adventure the water has to offer, along with the charm of the small towns, without turning the trip into an "adventure race".

P.S. Happy Thanksgiving!

Chinook wrote:....we've decided to pull out in the Ft. Myers area....

Are you going to use the yard where my Endeavour or are you changing plans?

Enjoy the 10,000 Islands if you do that but just spending some time from say Captiva north to Punta Gorda would be nice also at this point. I've anchored a couple times at Roosevlet Channel by Captiva and liked it there. Well protected.



Also dinghy ashore at Jensen's and ...



...even stayed in one of their cabins for a couple days during a cold spell.



I think you would enjoy going ashore there. Couple nice places to eat and nice walking there. More info on all of that here...

http://purplesagetradingpost.com/sumner ... 10-10.html

See you got into Pelican Bay. There are a couple good anchorages there as you found out.

Have a good Thanksgiving,

Sumner

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1300 miles to the Bahamas and back -- 2015

The MacGregor 26-S

The Endeavour 37

Trips to Utah, Idaho, Canada, Florida

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