First of all, I need to express my apologies for not keeping this blog updated. I will try to do better in the future. We are back home in Oklahoma again for a few weeks. The following will my attempt to get you up to speed on the last few weeks aboard Robyn's Nest.

Our last post was our stay in Biloxi. We really enjoyed our time there catching up with a few old friends and revisiting some of the sights and restaurants. Pat and Cathy were able to spend an afternoon touring Beauvoir, the Jefferson Davis home. I think they loved Biloxi as much as we did.

We departed Biloxi on my birthday, January 20th. We cruised through the Mississippi Sound, through Mobile Bay, and ended our day at Lulu's Restaurant. Lulu's is a must stop for cruisers along the GIWW. The restaurant is owned by Lucy Buffet, sister of Jimmy Buffet. The food and entertainment are well worth the end-of-evening bill! BATT was the extremely talented one-man band for the evening. We consumed mass quantities of food and Yuengling beer, then spent the night tied to the dock at the restaurant.

The next morning, we headed to Barber Marina. Robyn and I had spent some time there in 2011, and the staff there remembered us. I'm not sure if that is a good thing or a bad thing! Our main purpose in going to Barber's was to see friends we made in Kemah, Texas. We hadn't seen Cindy and Jonal in three years, and the reunion was just awesome. We stayed there six days visiting and exploring.

Our favorite anchorage of 2011, was the "Sugar Bowl" near Pensacola. Pat and Cathy had heard us speak fondly of it numerous times. So, despite our plans to backtrack to Mobile, we headed east to the Sugar Bowl. It was only about a 20 mile run, but was highlighted by dolphins, crossing the Florida line, and an amazing anchorage. After setting the anchor, we went ashore to explore the ruins of Fort McRee. Unlike the last time we were there, we used flashlights to pick our way through the entire underground bunker system. The dank air, thick concrete walls, and the well preserved remains gave us all an erie feeling of going back in time. We finished the afternoon collecting shells along the beautiful white beach and absorbing the sound of the crashing waves on shore. Gazing out on the endless blue ocean made all of us dream of the endless possibilities ahead of us!

The next morning we made an early start for Mobile. The weather conditions could not have been better for a bay crossing. One highlight of the crossing was two pelicans landing on the bow of Robyn's Nest! One of them hitched a ride for several miles! They are incredible birds even though they are scraggly and rough. We arrived late in the afternoon at Turner Marina on the Dog River.

We decided to stay a few days to pack up the boat, do a little maintenance, get in some sight seeing, and enjoy a little more of the great southern food. Fortunately, we were able to get together with Jerry and Sally of Fairhope, Alabama. They are another couple of fantastic cruisers that Robyn and I had met in Panama City. Our reunion in their beautiful town at Panini Pete's was awesome. The moment we saw them, the three years melted away and the bond was rekindled. We loved this couple and made a connection within five minutes of meeting them that day three years ago.

Pat and Cathy have really enjoyed cruising with us, and have decided this is the lifestyle for them. They had already started looking for a boat to call their own, when I found one at the Joe Wheeler State Park in Alabama. Of course we had to go check it out on the way home! The boat is a Carver 350, and meets their needs perfectly. Our two days looking at the boat resulted in them making an offer, and it being accepted! We have lost our crew, but gained a buddy boat. Robyn and I wish them the best of luck and fair seas!

Well, that pretty much sums up the last couple of weeks aboard Robyn's Nest. We are already looking forward to returning to her. When we return, unfortunately we will have to repair a soft spot on the deck, which leads to painting the entire deck. That will be a big project. We also have plans to replace the defunct electric stove with a propane range, install a new hot water tank, and move the inverter to the pump room. Of course, after those big projects, there are innumerable smaller projects to do. Luckily, I enjoy working on the Nest as much as I do cruising on her. (Robyn likes the cruising WAY better!)

Until next time...