Last Post For Now

 After Sarasota, we sailed up to Clearwater to wait for weather good enough to cross the gulf back to the Panhandle.  We had a nice time visiting a few favorite places and reprovisioning and finally, time to go back towards home.  We had a good enough crossing back to Dog Island.  We had several days before we were meeting a group from the Fort Walton Yacht Club so, of course, David wanted to put a few coats of varnish on.  Actually, we both like to keep Blue Moon looking her best and I try to zen out with the effort so not all work.  From there we motored back up the ICW to Port St. Joe.  This marina is fully recovered from the devastation wrought by Hurricane Michael in 2018.  We love visiting the town so it was a great time.  We made our way back home and were tied in our slip just in time for a terrific downpour.  We used it as an excuse to spend another night on the boat.  For the last few days we've been getting our land legs back, cleaning a mountain of stuff and the boat.  Soon, I'll start on my yard.  
Overall, it was a wonderful trip and like all of life, it had its challenges but we met them together and we are glad we went.  We are already planning our next adventure.

Some creative soul thought they could lure tourists into a 

boat yard inside a shark.  It was funny to see it.

Blue Herons are always so regal looking.

Checking the engine before heading offshore

requires a lot of moving things around.  We've gotten

fairly good as disassembly then reassembly.

Heading out under the Clearwater Bridge.  We'll

be back next time.

Our last sunset.  It set behind the cloudbank

so no green flash.

We ran through a flock of migrating birds.  A few,

like this one, were not at all shy and hopped around checking 

us and the boat out.  Several overnighted in our dinghy and we

heard them chittering away all night.  Reminded me of slumber parties.

We were able to sail some of the trip and love our newest sail.

We decided to explore the western tip of the island

and saw what would be marsh once it rains.

No explanation for a hot tub high and dry on the

beach but I thought it was unique.

Lots of tape is used to keep any spills off 

the paint.  We have to use kneeling pads to protect 

our knees from the nonskid surface.

And even more tape but new varnish always looks

so nice it's worth it to us.

There must have been a lot of rains upriver from

where we anchored.  We have never seen the water level 

so high on this stretch.

Part of the group who came to Port St. Joe .

We love having friends and fellow sailors share

their stories and adventures.

Well, homecoming wasn't all perfect!

The battery in our van was too dead to even

take a charge so more dramatic measures were

called for to get it to the shop.  All running now!