Panacea: December 2013

That's right - official southern speak! We have been instructed by the local natives that it is perfectly acceptable for "northeners" to talk like this - it is socially correct and actually expected!! It has been a busy few weeks. Many, many snowbirds thru (it is about done now) and we have met a lot of new people. Two couples have been on the water for 40 yrs!! Talk about your stories - never ending!! Thanksgiving dinner was a potluck picnic with the deep fried turkey and ham (it's a southern thing) provided by the marina - it really was very good and takes a LOT less time to cook! Love those potlucks - such a variety of food and so good!!Those of us here had a picnic in 50 degree weather, with wind, but a bonfire and a "little" alcohol helped keep us warm!! Great fun! They plan on hosting another Christmas Day - there will be about 12-15 of the full timers here and I hope it is at least a little warmer!! We collected local pine cones and sprayed them with glitter and have a tiny tree on the table in the salon - just not enough storage for much decorating. There are several people on the dock who get together almost nightly to play - guitars mostly. Seems many boaters have some sort of musical talent. The biggest boat to tie up for the night was 85 ft, built in 1958 and looked like she was brand new. Asolutely gorgeous - a real classic. The current owner spent several million to restore her. Hard to wrap yur head around that!!! A few days ago Alan and a neighbor drove to pick up a bushel of fresh oysters. We shucked them and either cooked them on the grill or you could eat them raw - delicious! We were 3 couples and only had a couple dozzen or so left - oink,oink!! We have finished up most of the outside work as the weather will be pretty cool in Jan and Feb. Not to worry as there are many indoor projects. We did spend some time working out a "rough" cruise route for our trip to the Chesapeake. We plan to leave early April to arrive there early May. Just going to take our time, stop at some interesting places and enjoy the trip, plus build in some time for weather delays. We figure half the nights we will be in marinas and the other half at anchor. This trip planning is a big project - finding the best marina, finding the deepest and most protected anchorage, when to be at what point to take advantage of high tide so you dont' run aground, research blogs abd sites that will tell you of any problems on each daily stretch i.e. shoaling rocks, closed bridges etc. You plan as best as you can, and then just hope the weather cooperates. Will finish up by sending our sincere good wishes for a blessed holiday and New Year to you and yours xoxo