Palafox Pier

We arrived at Palafox Pier in downtown Pensacola around noon today.  Downtown Pensacola is making a comeback with lots of restaurants, art galleries, etc.  We toured downtown square this afternoon, and are dinning at Jackson Steakhouse tonight.  The weather is good, but windy.  The marina is nice, but a bit rolly as it is on Pensacola Bay, despite a large seawall. 

Palafox

Big Sabine

We anchored at Big Sabine Point behind Santa Rosa Island last night.  Some big thunder storms rolled in from the north, but we were fine as there is a big sandbar that protects this cove from north winds.  This morning was calm and clear, and we went for a stroll  on the beach  We took the dingy to Flounders Restaurant for lunch, at Pensacola Beach. The fare was surprisingly good!  I cant load pictures from my i pad to the blog, so will post them later.  All is well!

Memorial weekend

We were joined by our son, Stan, daughter in law, Megan, and granddaughter, Cameron this weekend.  A plethora of boats this Memorial weekend!  We anchored at Redfish Point and went to the beach.  It was calm and the water clear.  Snorkeling we found 237 sanddollars!  Cameron was ecstatic.  Today is Monday and Stan and family are departing.  Alexis and I will stay the week, and head to Pensacola tomorrow.  Our anchor winch went out and Stan had to bring in the anchor by hand-yuk.  Thanks to Bruce Bullington, the winch is working again. 

Stan, Cameron and Megan

Old people

The new dinghy is a hit!

The Wharf

Well, we made it!  We arrived Monday afternoon, and are settled in at our slip.  We had dinner at Ginny Lanes, a restaurant on site, rented a car, went swimming at an indoor pool (with the Berrys), and of course, went shopping.  Alexis and Cameron will head home tomorrow via Hertz, and I will follow in a few days.  A good trip!

Cameron at the helm

                                         

LuLu's (Jimmy Buffet's sister) restaurant on the ICW

Moondance at The Wharf

Cat Island

Sunday afternoon-we are anchored at Cat Island in Mississippi Sound. It provides a calm spot in the North wind. We arrived around 4:00 PM, deployed the dinghy and went to the beach. Tomorrow we should make it to the Wharf, as the winds are coming down.

Locking our way east

Sunday, Feb. 19, 2012-we awoke to better, albeit windy weather.  We will lock into the Mississippi River at Harvey, and out at the Industrial Canal, and go as far as we can today.

Harvey lock

Mighty Mississippi

St. Louis Cathedral

Headed to Orange Beach

Well, we accepted the fact that we will not get to the Keys this year, due to work issues, so we decided to take the Moondance to The Wharf Marina over Mardi Gras.  Our granddaughter, Cameron, is with us.  We left Houma on Saturday, March 18,2012, and arrived at the Harvey lock around noon.  A tornado warning was issued, and with the weather deteriorating, we decided not to lock into the river.  Instead, we went back to Boomtown casino, on the Harvey canal, tied up and rode out the weather in comfort.  We even had a steak dinner at the restaurant in the casino.  We will depart in the morning and head east!