Wednesday, October 15, 2014

10/15/14 - 11/10/14 Pensacola - Palafox Pier and Yacht Harbor

We left The Wharf for the short day run to Pensacola.  Entering Florida was beautiful with white sand beaches





                                                            Pulling alongside AGoode Ketch



Entering Pensacola Harbor

We stayed at the Palafox Pier and Yacht Harbor. What a great place.  The marina had nice floating docks and was right downtown.  We had a slip right up against the breakwater which was bustling with activity as it was a great place to see the bay.






 




Sunsets were spectacular... starting with the Solar Eclipse that lit up the sky line fire.










We rented a slip for the whole month and enjoyed our time there. We rode our bikes all over the place.


The most popular place as Joe Patti's - Just a 10 minute bike ride away.  A seafood market that sold everything under the sea.  Just take a number and tell them what you want.  It has a great grocery and bakery and ice cream... and they will even cook the food for you.









Every weekend it seems there is some sort of festival in town.  Art shows, markets are always around
Gallery Nights on Palafox Street in downtown Pensacola. The street is blocked off and stores and restaurants spill out into the street.  Music and entertainment line the streets.

Girl singing for the crowd

Girl doing 'scarf' acrobatics

Young boy playing his sax.  There were two other boys near by playing drums



Another Big event... of the largest in the country... is the Great Gulf Coast Arts Festival.  The event was complete with vendors, artists, cobblers and food... It stretched about 12 blocks by 12 blocks and the entire downtown was blocked off.









                            There is also a weekly craft market in the center of Palafox Blvd.


We also rode our bikes to the Greek Grocery... not so good... But did get a soda.




There is a great little "trailer park" outdoor restaurant just up from the Marina a couple of blocks.  It is a series of 5 Airstream trailers, each serving a different food... you got your food and set at one of the tables n the food court.




We had a "friend".. Henry.. that strolled around the whole Marina.  Showing up at odd times.




One of the oddest "enclosures" on a boat!



Ron brushed a tree when we were riding bikes and a little green fellow hopped onto his arm!




Every day we went for a walk in the little park at the edge of the water... there are always birds there and Lexi would chase them!


The US Coast guard goes to pier each year to hold a "haunted house" at Halloween.  You can't really tell, the it is decorated with ghouls and goblins.


There were a field of beautiful flowers along our bike route.


We were there for the Blue Angels Air Show.  We took Last Trade out for a test drive after he got his engine repaired and were able to get a closer look at the show.







 

Barb just chill'n


We met some new Canadian "Canooks" friends... Beth and Randy.  They are so much fun.  The just bought a sail boat and will be taking it across to Florida coast soon.  We look forward to meeting up with them again...

And no trip to Pensacola is complete without a trip to the Hardware store and Richy's Liquor Store.





Monday, October 13, 2014

10/13/14 The Wharf - Orange Beach

Well the cruising Gods decided that we would not be going up the Tenn Tom... at least not right now. The rains up north are going to be heavy leaving the currents too strong for us to travel against.  

So, we headed out to Gulf Shores to meet our other two boats at The Wharf.  The trip over was with another smooth ride... we sure have been fortunate with the weather.



We made our way down the ICWW through Gulf Shores and settled in at Wharf Marina.  The marina is part of the Wharf complex where there are shops, restaurants, a movie theatre, ferris wheel and there is a civic center where they hold concerts and other events.  

While we were there we did some shopping... way too expensive for us!  I don't think it is in our budget for a cotton blouse for $285.  But it was fun to look.  We found a wonderful shop with spices and we went to the movie twice...

Bimini Bob's is the restaurant and bar that is part of the marina.  Great friendly staff.  They love dogs. Bimini Bob's even had water bowls for doggies right there at the table.   



Cambria and Last Trade docked under the bridge... as usual.

Docktails is always a nice relaxing way to end the day... cool breezes and barges!

 Kay and Lexi posing in front of the marina store where they had a halloween 
display of pumpkins dressed in pink bras for the "Save the TaTa's Campaign.


Dingy Day... we headed up the ICWW for a dinghy ride

Ron and Linda zooming past us


Jerry and Susan pulling out of the marina

Josh and Barb cruising along the shoreline

Welcome to Lulu's

Cheeseburger in Paradise!


 Al is chillin out at Lulu's Beach

Prime rib lunch at Ginny Lane Bar and Grill


We had docktails on Cambria

 Al is looking at his log book... everyone said he looked like he was preaching