TOUGH LIFE LOOKING AT SIGHTS LIKE THIS EVERY MORNING. I HATE TO ADMIT IT MY ATTENTION SPAN IS SHORT AND I STILL GET BORED FROM TIME TO TIME. THE POINT IS I WOULD RATHER GET BORED CRUISING FROM PLACE TO PLACE AS OPPOSED TO SITTING AT HOME GETTING BORED.

HERE WE ARE ENJOYING COCKTAILS AT ONE OF THE 28 POOL AREAS AVAILABLE. THIS IS HOW OLD PEOPLE SPEND THERE DAYS. "DRINKING"

WE ARE STAYING UNTIL AFTER THE NEW YEAR AT CLEAR WATER BEACH MARINA. IT AS ONLY A TWO HOUR DRIVE TO "THE VILLAGES" SO WE RENTED A CAR FOR THE WEEKEND AND STAYED WITH OUR FRIENDS ROGER AND SUSAN MORRIS. THE FIRST THING I NOTICED IS THAT THERE HOUSE IS ON "EAST SCHWARTZ" HOW BAD IS THAT! OBVIOUSLY A NICE JEWISH COMMUNITY. THE BOTTOM LINE IS WE SPENT TWO DAYS GETTING BRAINED WASHED AND DRANK THE COOLAIDE TO THE POINT WE ARE SERIOUSLY THINKING OF BUYING A PLACE IN THE VILLAGES AFTER OUR CRUISING IS OVER. TRUST ME , I MADE FUN OF EVERYTHING FROM OLD PEOPLE , WHEEL CHAIRS , WALKERS , SHUFFLE BOARD ETC. ALL THE THINGS THAT IMPLY A PLACE FOR OLD RETIRED FOLKS TO END UP , BUT AFTER WE TOURED THE PLACE WE FOUND IT IS ACTUALLY A WELL ENGINEERED ADULT DISNEY WORLD. DONT BOTHER REPLYING WITH ANY SMART ASS COMMENTS BECAUSE I SAID OR THOUGHT THEM ALL MYSELF , BUT I STILL THINK WE MIGHT DO IT . CHECK OUT "THE VILLAGES WEB SITE""

WE RAN INTO "CAPTAIN BILL BERLIN" AT APALACHICOLA (PROBABLY SPELLED THAT WRONG ?) TIED UP OVERNIGHT AT MILLER MARINE GAS DOCK BUT THE GOOD NEWS IT WAS NEXT DOOR TO THE RESTAURANT THAT SERVES UP THE BEST OYSTER STEW IN THE WORLD. I HAD A DOZEN OYSTERS AND A BOWL OF OYSTER STEW AND SANDY HAD TO LOCK HER SELF IN THE CABIN (GOOD LUCK?)

THIS WAS THE ONE CLEAR SHOT OF THE SUNRISE AS WE CROSSED BEFORE THE FOG SET IN. WHOLE LOT OF NOTHING OUT THERE. WE SAW MAYBE THREE OTHER BOATS IN THE DISTANCE THE WHOLE TRIP.

WE MADE IT! WE MADE IT ACROSS 165 MILES OF OPEN WATER ACROSS THE GULF OF MEXICO. BIG DEAL YOU SAY! YEA IT WAS BECAUSE WE LEFT AT 4 AM IN PITCH DARK AND HAD FOG MOST OF THE WAY ACROSS. YOU REALLY MUST TRUST YOUR ELECTRONICS WHEN YOU CAN NOT SEE THE END OF THE BOAT. THE PICTURE NOTES OUR GPS / CHARTPLOTTER AS WE MADE OUR CROSSING FROM ONE WAY POINT TO ANOTHER. NOTE IT SAYS "78.6 NAUTICAL MILES TO GO AND ARRIVE IN 5:04 HOURS AT THE SPEED PF 15.6 N. THE CROSSING TOOK US ABOUT 10 HOURS TOTAL. THE SEAS WERE CALM (2 FEET OR LESS) BUT THE VISABILITY WAS HORRIBLE. YOU GOT TO LOVE BOATING OR BE A FOOL. IDONT KNOW WHICH ONE I AM.

BAY POINT MARINA IS DEFINITELY "BATTLE WAGON CENTRAL" FOR SERIOUS FISHING BOATS. LOTS OF BIG BOATS AND LOTS OF MONEY. THEY DELIVER NEWS PAPERS TO OUR BOAT EVERY MORNING AND ALL THE AMENITIES OF THE MARRIOTT WHICH AJOINS THE MARINA ARE AVAILABLE.

THIS IS BAY POINT MARINA. IRONICALLY THE SAME NAME OF THE MARINA WE WERE AT IN OHIO FOR 8 YEARS , BUT THIS ONE IS IN PANAMA CITY FLORIDA. ITS A GREAT PLACE BUT THE DUE TO A HEAVY NORTH WIND FOR THREE DAYS THE WATER DROPPED TO AN ALL TIME LOW. MANY BOATS WERE SITTING ON THE BOTTOM. WEATHER IS SUPPOSED TO IMPROVE AND WE HOPE TO TRY TO CROSS THE GULF OF MEXICO TO TAMPA THURSDAY

LIFE'S SIMPLE PLEASURES. TO BE ABLE TO WATCH YOUR GRANDKIDS PLAY IN THE SURF AND GET SAND IN EVERY PLACE THE SUN DON'T SHINE. LATER ON WE PUT THE TENDER IN THE WATER IN SEARCH OF DOLPHIN. WE SAW NOTHING BUT FROZE OUR REAR ENDS OFF.

WE LEFT GULF SHORES WEDNESDAY AND WE WERE CONSTANTLY CHASED AND SURROUNDED BY DOLPHINS ALL THE WAY TO DESTIN FLORIDA

THIS FAMILY PORTRAIT IS TAKEN ON THE LIFE GUARD STAND AND ONE THING YOU CAN NOT SEE IN THE PICTURE IS THE BIG SIGN THAT SAYS "KEEP OFF". GREAT TO KNOW THAT IN TODAY'S WORLD OF INSTANT COMMUNICATION AND EASE OF TRANSPORTATION WE CAN ALL STAY IN TOUCH ON A CONSISTENT BASIS. STEPHANIE DROVE FROM NASHVILLE TO GULF SHORES IN SEVEN AND A HALF HOURS.

STEPHANIE, GRIFFIN, AND SYDNEY VISITED US FOR THE WEEKEND AND THE KIDS GOT THEIR FIRST EVER LOOK AT THE OCEAN. IT WAS ONLY 55 DEGREES BUT THAT DID NOT STOP THEM FROM GETTING WET. ALL KIDS LOVE "FIRE AND WATER" AND CAN NOT LEAVE THEM ALONE.

ITS HARD TO GET USE TO SEEING A DOLPHIN SURFACE AND SWIM ALONG WITH YOUR BOAT. WE WERE IN OUR INFLATABLE AND WE WERE SUDDENLY SURROUNDED BY A GROUP OF THESE BEAUTIFUL ANIMALS. THEY CERTAINLY ARE NOT BASHFUL AND COME QUITE CLOSE.

LOTS OF JELLY FISH IN THE MARINA. MAKES YOU WANT TO DIVE IN DOESN'T IT!

AS YOU CAN SEE HURRICANE KATRINA AND IVAN LEFT ALLOT OF DAMAGE THAT STILL REMAINS QUITE VISIBLE EVERY WHERE YOU LOOK. LOTS OF BOATS HAVE BEEN ABANDONED ALONG WITH SOMEONE'S DREAMS.

THIS WAS THANKSGIVING DAY. BEAUTIFUL WEATHER TO WALK ON THE BEACH (72 DEGREES AND LOTS OF SUN) ACTUALLY QUITE A FEW PEOPLE IN THE WATER WHICH WOULD TAKE MORE NERVES THAN I HAVE.

AS YOU CAN SEE "SAM" IS EXTREMELY EXCITED ABOUT THIS TRIP. HE SLEEPS WHILE AT THE DOCK , HE SLEEPS WHILE UNDERWAY , AND HE SLEEPS THROUGH ANYTHING OTHER THAN WHEN ITS TIME TO EAT! HE IS GREAT COMPANY THOUGH EVEN I HE DOESN'T TALK MUCH.

OUR NEXT BOAT "USS ALABAMA" WE TOOK THE SELF GUIED TOUR AND IT WAS FACINATING . ABLE TO GET INTO PARTS OF THE SHIP I DID NOT EXPECT.

HAD SOME QUESTIONS ASKED ABOUT THE MECHANICAL PART OF THE BOAT SO HERE IS SOME FACTS: POWER IS TWIN DETROIT DIESEL 6/92S THAT ARE 550 HP EACH. BOAT HOLDS 600 GALLONS OF FUEL AND BURNS ABOUT 42 GALLONS AN HOUR AT CRUISING SPEED (2000 RPM) WITH A SPEED OF 18MPH. IF WE RUN AT 1300 RPM WE ARE ABOUT 11MPH AND BURN HALF THE AMOUNT OF FUEL. KEEP IN MIND THAT THE INTERCOSTAL WATERWAY HAS MANY AREAS THAT ARE "NO WAKE" SO YOU MUST GO SLOW NOT TO DAMAGE DOCKS AND OTHER BOATS. I KEEP THE ENGINE ROOM SPOTLESS AND PAINTED WHITE SO I CAN SEE ANY PROBLEMS , LEAKS OR CONCERNS AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.

TRYING TO GET READY FOR THE HOLIDAYS AND SANDY HAS DONE SOME DRCORATING INCLUDING A SMALL CHRISTMAS TREE AND A NAUTICAL SANTA CLAUSE SITTING ON THE BAR. I MUST SAY THIS IS EASIER THAN TRYING TO GET OUR HOUSE SET UP WITH LIGHTS AND TREES. BAH / HUMBUG. WE HAVE A SMALL TURKEY AND ALL THE FIXINGS TO PREPARE FOR THANKSGIVING BUT WE WILL MIIS THE HUSTLE AND BUSTLE OF HAVING THE FAMILY AROUND. "I CANT BELIEVE I SAID THAT!"

NO PICTURES JUST COMMENTS... WE RENTED A CAR FOR $210 a week . A COMPACT CHEVY WITH NO POWER WINDOWS OR CRUISE CONTROL BUT HOW ELSE WOULD WE GET TO RESTAURANTS , WALMART AND BARS. IT WILL BE A CHALLENGE SITTING STILL FOR A MONTH AT ONE MARINA WE NEED WARMER WEATHER.

LULU'S

http://www.lulusathomeport.com/main/index.php CHECK OUT THIS LINK

THIS IS THE MARINA WHERE WE ARE STAYING FOR A FEW WEEKS IN GULF SHORES ALABAMA. IT IS RIGHT ON THE INTERCOASTAL AND YOU CAN SEE "LULU'S" IN THE DISTANCE (BAR RESTAURANT OWNED BY JIMMY BUFFETS SISTER)

I NEVER REALIZED HOW MANY OIL RIGS THAT ARE IN THE GULF OF MEXICO. THEY ARE EVERYWHERE AND A HAZARD TO NAVIGATION, BUT ON THE OTHER HAND I WOULD MINE OWNING ONE SO I COULD KEEP THE FUEL TANKS IN OUR BOAT FULL.

THIS IS THE INSIDE OF THE FAMOUS "FLORABAMMA BAR" ON THE BEACH AT GOLF SHORES. THE STATE LINE OF FLORIDA AND ALABAMA RUNS RIGHT THROUGH THE MIDDLE OF THE BAR. EACH YEAR THERE IS A CONTEST T SEE WHO CAN THROW A DEAD FISH THE FURTHEST FROM FLORIDA TO ALABAMA. THE GUY PAID $3000 DOLLARS FOR THIS BAR 20 YEARS AGO AND IT SITS IN THE MIDDLE OF "BILLION DOLLAR REALESTATE. CHECK OUT THE BRAS ON DISPLAY. I'M NEVER GOING TO DRINK AGAIN!

HERE IS THE GREATEST GRANDSON'S BOAT "GRIFFIN"

I SOMEWHAT QUESTION THE NAME HE GAVE IT! IF YOU LOOK REAL HARD YOU WILL PROBABLY SEE HIM SITTING AT THE HELM PLAYING SOME VIDEO GAME.

THIS PICTURE SOMEWHAT OUT OF ORDER BUT IT JUST ARRIVED. THE CASH FAMILY (IE ALL THREE CASH FAMILIES) STANDING ON THE BOAT JUST AFTER THE WEDDING. WE TOOK A CHAMPAIGN CRUISE AFTER THE CEREMONY AND THE DAY , THE TEMPERATURE AND THE WATER WERE PERFECT

ITS A JUNGLE OUT HERE. LIFE IS TOUGH ON THESE SANDY BEACHES AND WARM SUNNY DAYS.

WE USE OUR TENDER LIKE A "SUV" TO RUN ARROUND TO DIFFERENT BEACHES , STORES AND BARS!

ALL THREE OF US GOT OFF ON THIS ISLAND TO TAKE LEAK IN THE SHRUBS.

THIS "SHRIMPIN BOAT" MUST BE OWNED BY THE GREATEST GRAND DAUGHTER IN THE WORLD ... OUR SYDNEY.

BUBBA GUMP HAS NOTHING ON HER.

WE ARE BACK TO CIVILIZATION (MOBILE AL.) AND ENTERING DOG RIVER MARINA. PLANNED TO STAY FOR TWO NIGHTS DUE TO WEATHER AND FATIGUE. THERE WAS A WEST MARINE ON SITE AND A COURTEOUSY CAR AVAILABLE WHICH WE UTILIZED TO MAKE A RUN TO WALMART

ONE NIGHT WE ANCHORED IN A RIVER WHICH RAN OFF THE MAIN CHANNEL DUE TO FACT THERE WERE NO MARNAS FOR 50 MILES. THE RIVER WAS SO NARROW WE HAD TO PUT OUT A BOW AND STERN ANCHOR SO WE WOULD NOT WAKE UP ON SHORE. ALWAYS A CHALLENGE TAKING "SAM" OUR DOG TO TAKE A LEAK. WE WOULD LAUNCH THE DINGY AND FIND A SPOT ON SHORE HOPING NO ALLAGATOR WOULD CARRY HIM AWAY.

DRIVING THE WATERWAY DEMAND YOU STAY ALERT AND WATCH FOR TRASH IN THE WATER SUCH AS LOGS . REFRIGERATORS AND BELIEVE IT OR NOT AN OCCASIONAL DEER SWIMMING ACCROSS THE RIVER. SANDY AND I SHARE THE HELM.

GOING THROUGH A LOCK IS NOT A SIMPLE TASK WITH ONLY TWO PEOPLE ON BOARD AND A 50 FT. BOAT. SANDY WOULD GRAB A "BOLLARD" WITH A SINGLE LINE AMMIDSHIP AND WE WOULD HOPE WE HAD ENOUGH FENDERS OUT TO KEEP US OFF THE LOCK WALLS. THE FUN BEGINS WHEN THEY EITHER FLOOD OR DRAIN THE LOCK AND THE BOAT BEGINS TO MOVE AROUND. ANT BOATING FUN!

THE TOM BIGBEE WATERWAY TOOK US 10 DAYS TO TRAVEL FROM GREEN TURTLE BAY IN GRAND RIVERS KENTUCKY TO MOBILE BAY. IT IS EXTREMELY
DESOLATE AND BORING BUT YOU MUST STAY ALERT FOR LARGE TOW BOATS PUSHING BARGES AND YOU MUST PASS THROUGH 12 LOCKS AS YOU GO DOWN STREAM. THIS IS THE CASHFLOW SITTING AT THE FUEL DOCK IN COLUMBUS MISSISSIPPI WHERE WE NOT ONLY FILLED UP BUT ALSO SPENT THE NIGHT

THE CASHFLOW VOYAGE COULD NOT BEGIN UNTIL TAMMY AND ANDY'S WEDDING OCT 21ST. IT WAS HELD AT GREEN TURTLE BAY AND THE CEREMONY WAS ON THE BOW OF THE CASHFLOW AND THE RECEPTION AT THE YACHT CLUB. IT WAS A PERFECT DAY.

I AM STRUGGELING TO UNDERSTAND THE DO'S AND DONT'S TO CREATE THIS BLOG TO DISPLAY AND EXPLAIN OUR TRIP. THE FIRST POSTINGS WILL BE TRIAL AND ERROR SO BEAR WITH ME. I AM NO A COMPUTER GEEK...

HERE IS TAMMY ,ANDY AND USTIN STANDING ON THE BOW JUST AFTER THEY SAID "I DO"
PROBABLY WILL NEVER SEE ANDY LOOK THIS GOOD AGAIN. EVEN GOT HISS HAIR CUT. I HOPE TO POST MORE PICTURES WHEN WE GET THEM.