Thursday 11/15-11/22
This morning Puffin and crew leave Tarpon Springs motoring out of the Anclote River Channel into the protected waters of the GIWW heading for Clearwater. After carefully following the markers(much of the surrounding waters along the GIWW are very shallow) we arrive along with Scott and Mary (Mascot) at the Clearwater Municipal Marina where once again we find Tom and Gerry(Sea Knight) tied up at the docks. We decide to pay for a week of moorage( Much better rates per week, however the days of $15/day moorages we paid on the rivers are now well over $50/day) and enjoy the amenities of the area. We spend the week sightseeing using the bus system and relaxing at the wonderful beaches of Clearwater. The beach park and pier have nightly entertainment and craft vendors. Tom and Gerry drive us in their rental car to Ybor City (old Latin section of Tampa ) where they were having the Cigar Heritage Festival. Thanksgiving is celebrated with a traditional turkey dinner at the Hilton with Mike and Cathy.

Anclote River Channel

On Our Way To Clearwater

Clearwater Sunset

Smok'em If You Got'em

I'm A Star!

Beggie Beggie

Thanksgiving

Monday 11/12 - Wednesday 11/14
Our roadway journey ends with our arrival at Tarpon Springs, but it also marks the beginning of our “saltwater” cruise along the GIWW( Gulf Intracoastal Waterway). After preparing Puffin for her waterway journey and making arrangements to store the truck and trailer, we launch Puffin and make our way to Turtle Cove Marina near the Tarpon Springs sponge docks.(The waterfront is known for its sponge markets and its Greek restaurants) During our stay, we meet our looper friends Mike and Cathy(Xplorer), Scott and Mary(Mascot) and Larry and Sue(SueSeaQ).We explore the historic town sites and treat ourselves to delicious Greek dinners everynight.

Beach At Tarpon Springs
Prepping Puffin / Storage Yard For Truck & Trailer

Finally Launched

Saturday 10/27- Sunday 11/11
Driving along Hwy 98, we arrive in Destin, Fl. and stay at Henderson State Park for the next 2 days exploring the beaches and the surrounding area. We continue east driving thru Seaside,Seagrove Beach, Panama City and stay at St Andrew State Park. We visit the marina in St. Andrew and unbelievably run into Tom and Gerry again. Our next stop is near Apalachicola at St. George State Park. We decide to visit Apalachicola and of course check out the marina there and yes, once again we find Tom and Gerry! We joined them for dinner that evening and after a short visit in town the next morning, we make for some serious miles down the road towards our goal of Tarpon Springs,FL visiting Steinhatchee along the way, and stopping at another Walmart in Chiefland that evening.

She Loves It!

Ride Anyone?

Tom and Gerry At Apalachicola

Saturday 10/27-Sunday 11/11

The next day as we drive out of New Orleans we are reminded of the devastating destruction of Hurricane Katrina. We have lunch on our first sandy beach encounter in Golfport, Miss. and as we continue along the coastline thru Biloxi, we observe more of Katrina's wrath. That evening we stay overnight at another Walmart in Pascatoula, Miss. enroute to the sandy beaches of Golfshores State Campgrounds along Orange Beach, AL. We enjoy our shorts and a t-shirt stay at Golfshores Campgrounds, walking along the beach and looking for shells. As we continue east past Mobile, we see glimpses of the Waterway and give ourselves high fives as we cross into Florida. We spend the next 4 days at Big Lagoon Statepark in Perdido Key, FL. Our days are filled with walks along the beach and a very interesting visit to the Naval Museum in Pensacola. We also decide to drive to the downtown historic district of Pensacola and are drawn to the marina where we find to our surprise our looper friends Tom and Gerry (Sea Knight) and Mike and Cathy(Xplorer). The six of us along with new friends, Bob and Marie enjoy dinner at the Oyster House in Pensacola. The next day some of us see the Blue Angels practice show and the Naval museum while others stroll and shop in the historic district of Pensacola. That evening we are all treated to a homecooked meal at Bob and Marie's beautiful home. Royce and I spend the night with Bob and Marie and after breakfast, we head for our next beach campground.

Katrina Damage

GIWW in Perdido Key

Weird Beetle!

The Actual Rig Tom Flew

Saturday 10/27-Sunday 11/11
Driving south on Interstate 65, we head for New Orleans,LA staying overnight at a Walmart in Jackson, Miss. As we approach New Orleans we are amazed at the miles upon miles of elevated roadways over the water or swampland below and ponder the labor and cost of such an endeavor. We arrive at Bayou Segnette State Park(near the city), set up camp and excitedly depart for the French Quarter. As it is Halloween, the evening along Bourbon Street is to say the least wild and crazy! The sights and sounds were truly amazing and by evening's end, Royce and I had a neckful of beads.