Boat Repairs, and Boat Parades, Week of December 1, 2014

Week of Monday, December 1,2014

It was a busy week.  La Quinta was about 20 miles from the marina...and there was sunshine in our eyes in both directions as we drove to our destinations.

Most days, both Tim and Kathy drove to the marina, and Kathy went back to the hotel.  After all, laundry still had to be done, sodas and treats needed to be purchased, and other errands needed to be completed since we had transportation. 

So Monday morning, we headed out early to make certain that we would be at the marina to talk to "The Guy" about the repairs necessary on the boat. He showed up about 8, as promised and he and Tim consulted.  After the consultation, Tim authorized the work, and Kathy headed back to the hotel.

Kathy found a Regis hair salon that did an excellent job on her hair…too bad she will never have the opportunity to go back there!  She also scored some new jeans, a necessity since the one’s she brought from home were stretching out!



After four days, repairs to Sea Fever were completed, and she was returned to her slip! Friday, we left the comforts of LaQuinta, and returned home to the boat.



Everything back in
place in the cockpit

 

Sea Fever's new strut
 under the cockpit 



Saturday, December 6th, we spent time getting ready to head out for Panama City, Florida.  We would be anchoring out 3 nights, and hoped we could leave on Sunday.  We again headed to Dog River Marina. pumped out the head, came back to our slip at Turners, loaded the GPS and the hand held radio with batteries, and finished our last load of laundry at Turners.

Saturday night promised to be fun. Holiday boat parades are a very big deal down here where boats actually stay in the water throughout the winter months.  Folks deck out their boats with lights, music, and treats, and parade up and down the bay. 

Along about dusk, we wandered over to the end dock with our friends Mel and Mike, and Marcia and Bill.  Slowly a crowd formed.  Wine and other beverages were being consumed.  For Christmas Girl Kathy, the festive air was just what she needed.

We think, even though we are not Jewish, this was one of our favorite boats.

Shalom Y'all

But there were other cool boats, as well.  It was a wonderful parade…folks throwing things to the crowd…beads, candy, plastic cups.  Folks cheering and clapping. Music coming from the different boats.




Holiday Boat Parade in Dog River, Alabama

The six of us headed to the Yacht Club for dinner and had a great time.  We returned to our boats hoping Sea Fever could leave Turner's the next day, and head across Mobile bay in yet another leg of the waterway, taking us toward our final destination...the west coast of Florida.  Mel and Mike, and Marcia and Bill  wanted to make certain that we had time to say good byes in the morning, and promised to see us off.

 

It will be another leave taking.  It is amazing what you learn about folks in so short a time.  And how you know that you will miss those folks as you (and they) sojourn out to different destinations, different waypoints.

 

We have talked, in this blog, about the kindness of strangers.  I would like to add a few words to that.  There is the also the "friendship of strangers".  How you meet folks, and hope you will keep in touch.  How they touch your heart. How you meet them in different marinas, or even up at the laundry.  You exchange stories. You exchange history. And you connect.

And you become friends of the heart.