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Robert & Kay...

"Hello to everyone. Actually we are at home in Southport now. We decided to leave C-Life in good hands at the Bay Point Marina in Panama Beach, Florida, and spend the holiday season in North Carolina. "

"While in Fairhope, Alabama, Kay and boating friends of ours went shopping for our Thanksgiving dinner. They also found time to enjoy some more clothing, gift, and craft shopping, as they usually find time somehow to do. We also went out for a pretty good "off board" dinner one evening. We managed to find 10 pounds of fresh shrimp just off a boat, which we were served part of a couple of nights later. We completed our stay at Fairhope by helping a fellow boater from Atlantic Beach, North Carolina repair his on-board water system. Every day on this adventure seems to be a learning experience."

"We then left Fairhope and Mobile Bay, Alabama. As we left the bay we could see oil rig platforms in the Gulf of Mexico. Our travels then led us into the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway. We passed by, no we did not stop, Lu Lu's Restaurant and Bar. Lu Lu is the sister of Jimmy Buffett and we understand that he stops by the restaurant periodically. We passed by Orange Beach, Alabama, and anchored for the evening in Ingram Bayou for another beautiful sunset and brown pelicans sitting on poles like yard ornaments. Our fellow boaters on Bella Luna prepared a shrimp dish that evening to die for.

"We then crossed to Florida, and docked for the evening in Pensacola, home of the Navy Blue Angles and the Naval Flight Training facility. Myself and two other boaters visited the Naval Air Station Flight Museum, while the girls again found some shops to explore. We went out for dinner and afterwards Kay managed to win two games of billiards (8 ball). She beat our friend Diane and me, as we both "scratched" on the 8 ball."

"It was interesting how the entire "climate/geography" changed as we crossed into Florida. From wilderness to beach communities, from brown to clear, green water, more regulatory signs such as "no wake", warmer temperature, boats with triple motors, dolphins jumping, and people fishing. "

"We hope that all of you had a wonderful Thanksgiving. We celebrated Thanksgiving at Pensacola, Florida, with two boating couples that we have been traveling with. We had a great Thanksgiving feast, and Kay cooked the turkey. Our feast was complete with cranberry sauce, turnip greens, oyster dressing, deviled eggs, sweet potato casserole, stuffing, corn, green beans, rice, gravy, pumpkin pie, and caramel cake. Too much food, but very good. "

"We then left Pensacola, and stopped for the evening at a courtesy dock at Ft. Walton, FL. Then it was on to Panama Beach. During this part of the trip we spotted two bald eagles, and a tow (tugboat & barges) with a large bolt-on front section that was a 500 horsepower bow thruster to help him around sharp bends. At Panama Beach our friends on Wanderin' L&M, that we have traveled with since Clayton, NY, prepared a wonderful meal of baked ziti. I think that it is a northern thing, and it was great, with meat balls and sausage on the side. We take our turn at preparing a meals for other boaters as well. Several days earlier we had prepared our traditional "Frogmore Stew"."

"We are going to be at home in Southport until after Christmas, so the next C-Life update will be in early January, 2009. We plan to enjoy our family and friends while we are home. "

MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Robert & Kay

C-Life