I didn't get to post a blog yesterday because Tamera and I were on the road. We left Katy at about 10:20 AM. Tamera was driving their older Honda van and Matey and I were in the land barge so we planned to take it easy. We sailed through Houston with no traffic and stopped for a late lunch in Lake Charles, LA at the 171 Junction Roadhouse, where Matey could sit on the porch with us. We were headed for Hammond, LA, which should have taken another 2 hours, so we took our time over lunch. Then we hit Baton Rouge...at rush hour...just after an accident. An hour later we'd made it about 25 miles to the other side of the city. As the traffic thinned the sun set and the rain came. That slowed us down. While stuck in traffic I got a text from Scott with the photo of the day, so I knew the guys were anchored. Then just before the rain came Bud called. I couldn't talk long and couldn't record the position so we just said goodnight. Tamera and I got to Hammond at about 6:30 in the evening. We were pretty tired; I had a photo but no position and so no blog.

We got up early this morning to try and meet Bud and Scott when they got to the marina in Pensacola. They had about a 4-hour trip, our trip was three and a quarter hours. Then Bud called and they had left at 5:55 AM. It was already almost 7, so we knew we wouldn't beat them. We left just before 7 and made great time. Bud called me saying they had gone on past the marina for fuel and a pump-out and would meet us there. I got to the marina and it was gated. I called and got the code. Just as I was getting out of the car to punch in the code, Tamera pulled up. We went in and checked out the slip. It was narrow and had a short side dock. Bud called back to see if we could get out of our reservation as the marina where they were fueling had a slip available and it was wide and the docks were long. So I called the first marina and said we weren't coming after all and Tamera and I both drove over to the second marina and that's where we all are. Tamera took this photo for me as Bud and I were off shopping and doing laundry all day to get the boat recovered from the trip and ready for the next stage.

The most important thing to me is that we are all here in Florida. The land barge and I haven't been in Florida since 2012. We're glad to be back. Matey is just glad to be where I am (and he's grown pretty fond of Tamera, too).

The next stage is uncertain as the weather is uncertain and we have to cross some open water now. I was hoping Scott could help us get the boat all the way to the Tampa area, but if we don't get a weather window soon, that won't happen, as he and Tamera have to get their boat ready. They have a captain lined up to take it back to Galveston Bay, and he needs to leave on the 22nd. So we'll see. But at least we made it to Florida. (Oh, if you check the map I entered today's position and was able to enter the position for yesterday.)