Road Trip Clearwater Florida

We've been travelling for two weeks on a road trip which is coming to an end. Before we head back north, back to winter, (I mean Spring), we have one more stop planned. We're driving over to Clearwater to visit with Ray and Jean Santos; our friends from Connecticut who have a winter home in Florida. They met us in Tarpon Springs after we crossed the Gulf aboard our Alberg 35, Mystic. Seeing them walk down the dock last April was one of the highlights of our trip; like coming home!

Jean & Ray meet Mystic at Tarpon Springs

Dave and I travel a lot! We orchestrate mini-reunions whenever possible. We aren't so much lucky as we are blessed with wonderful family and friends who make time for us. On this visit to Clearwater we will reconnect with a gaggle of Connecticut friends. Yvette and Peggy Ackley are in Florida too, staying at a rental close to where Jean and Ray live. We're high school friends, Yvette and I have known each other since third grade! 

Jean, Yvette and Beth at High School Reunion

We arrived in Clearwater early afternoon and sat by the pool to unwind. We planned to meet Jean, Ray, Peggy, Yvette and Patrick (Yvette's son) at Sea Drift Brewery in Largo at 5:00. We had a quick beer there then loaded into Ray's minivan for a drive to Dunedin where we could visit several microbreweries within walking distance. Our mood was festive.

Our first stop was at the 7th Sun Microbrewery. It was very busy with happy people enjoying a Friday night out. Everyone was hungry so we decided to eat first. We tried several restaurants but couldn't get a table. Tony's Pizza had room and everyone could pick their own individual slices. It was much needed sustenance for a night of microbrew tasting! We stopped at Dunedin House of Beer next. Someone noticed that we'd lost Ray and Peggy. They finally caught up and explained that they were lagging behind us, enchanted by the beautiful sunset that was framed at the end of a street. Peggy stopped to take a photo then just stood there until the sun slipped below the horizon.

We walked through Dunedin, exploring the shops and many microbrew options. We ended our evening back at 7th Sun, where we sat outside on the patio and chatted the evening away. After a fun night, Ray drove us home with everyone trying to navigate from the back seat. The communication was a little muddled with all the shouting and giggling. At one point we were detoured past a road block which led to us driving in circles. Patrick took over giving directions from the front seat. He got us home safely.

Beer tasting

Peggy, Ray, Beth, Dave and Yvette

Yvette, Dave, Patrick (left)
Beth, Ray, Jean (right)

On Saturday, we drove up to Tarpon Springs for a relaxing day at the beach. When Mystic was docked at the Anclote River Marina we rode our bikes to this beach to cool off on many occasions. I had a tough time maneuvering over the sand on my healing ankle but Dave offered his arm to steady me. After enjoying the river views we made a quick stop at Silverking Microbrewery in old Tarpon Springs. The bartender remembered us and the fact that we rode our bikes there from our boat.

The Beach along Anclote River, Tarpon Springs

Yvette invited us for a Saturday evening with the gang. Her daughter Tara, along with her boyfriend Josh, had arrived earlier. It was a full house. The night was filled with cocktails and nibbles, good friends and great conversation. We are so thankful for these gatherings and these friends! Spending this time with our friends was a highlight of our entire road trip!

Patrick

Ray

Peggy & Dave solving world problems

Tara and Josh

Peggy

Jean & Yvette
Double trouble!

We drove home, leaving the warmth of the south. Each mile north we felt the temperature continue to drop. We were not surprised to find SNOW when we arrived home! It appears that spring has passed us by here in Minnesota! It's going to be a long wait for summer but we have boat projects to keep us busy. We are looking forward to new adventures aboard Mystic.

Our back deck

Still shoveling snow in April

Road Trip St. Augustine

We were in St. Augustine in January, visiting our Alberg 35, Mystic. It seems like it has been so much longer ago though. We are excited to get back to her; it's a huge step in the right direction in our quest to return to cruising!

Mystic where we left her last July
St. Augustine Marine Center

Dave & Beth Visiting Mystic in January 2018

After spending a few days in Baton Rouge, we made a quick stop in Mobile for flame broiled oysters at the Blue Gill. We sat at the bar, right next to the table we'd shared with our Looper friends Henry Krezmien and Scott and Rhonda Joiner back when we all lived in Mobile on our boats. As usual, the food was GREAT! It was worth the detour on our way to a layover in Tallahassee.

IPA

Flame Broiled Oysters ~ YUMMY

The Blue Gill
Mobile, AL

Beth, Dave, Scott, Rhonda and Henry at Blue Gill
Mobile, AL 2017

We  arrived in St. Augustine on Monday, driving through rain most of the day.There was a lot of water on the ground. The forecast called for heavy rain over the next couple days. We went directly to the St. Augustine Marine Center, picked up a gate fob and entered the yard in search of Mystic. She'd been moved from the field we'd left her in so the marina staff could coat her bottom with a fresh coat of ablative anti-fouling paint. We were not sure where she was sitting but found her easily. She was sitting directly inside the gate, near the work sheds. All that rain left her in the middle of a big puddle. We parked nearby and Dave stepped out to see if he could get on board. I waited in the truck wondering how I would be able to get on board with my walking boot. He looked her over, then decided we should wait for the water to drain before trying to sleep on her. We drove to a hotel in Palm Coast feeling a bit discouraged. We had so much to do and we couldn't even stay aboard Mystic.

Mystic in a puddle

Mystic on a yard lake

Unfortunately, the wet forecast was spot on. We woke to heavy rain. The puddle beneath Mystic had turned into a lake! We would not be getting anything done in these conditions. We decided to fill our day with a tour at St. Augustine Distillery. It was a short but very interesting. We learned that the oak barrels used to age the bourbon, are only used once for the first fermentation. The barrels are then sent to the local winery for making port wine. After that they are returned to the Distillery so the bourbon can be aged in the port soaked barrels. This gives the bourbon it's flavor and color. At the end of our tour we visited the Distillery bar where we were treated to lovely mixed drinks made with St. Augustine bourbon, gin, vodka and rum. The tour was free and a fun way to spend a rainy day.

Our Tour Guide

We went to San Sabastian Winery next. This tour was also relatively short. We made our way to a long bar where our guide poured samples of nine of the Winery's offerings. The wine grapes available in Florida are Muscadyne which make sweet and light wines. In general, our favorite wine is red but we settled on purchasing a Pino Grigio that was especially easy to drink. We love to pick up unique wines to share on a special occasion in the future.

Entrance to San Sabastian

Oak Barrels

The rain stopped and we were finally able to board Mystic on Wednesday. I had to maneuver up a ladder to get on board. The big black boot I'm wearing to protect my healing ankle had to come off for me to climb. I was uncertain and a bit afraid. The first time up was the hardest, but once I knew I could manage it; I just had to go slowly. We spent two nights in St. Augustine. We took stock, and made plans for projects that would need to be completed before we can cruise again. It was a nice visit that made us feel optimistic. 

Mystic as we left her

Our AGLCA Burgee waiting for our return

The view from the cockpit

Relaxing after a lot of hard work

Beth & Dave on the docks at St. Augustine Marine Center

Our friend Wayne Barbour lives in St. Augustine. He took us for a drive along St. Augustine beach in his Jeep.  It was a refreshing trip with the breeze blowing through the open car and the smell of salt air tickling our nostrils. We found a nice spot on the beach and sat chatting for a couple hours. It was a lovely day and a break from our boat projects!

Dave, Beth, Wayne & Teri at Hurricane Patty's

Dave, Wayne and Beth aboard Mystic

Wayne & Dave driving down St. Augustine Beach

Beach Road

We found the Dog Rose microbrewery in the heart of the Lincolnville, one of the oldest neighborhood in St. Augustine. We stopped by and tried the Ramble Rose Red and Roadside IPA. The place was so new that even Wayne hadn't heard of it! The brewery was located next to a homeless shelter. The building was old but renovated into a beautiful setting for gathering. There was a patio out back off of the loading dock. It was very crowded.

Dog Rose Taps and Beer

We enjoyed our visit to Mystic; our  work is done for now and it is time to move on. We will have to return to St. Augustine with all of our liveaboard belongings and stay for a few weeks to get ready to cruise again. Before heading north, we will drive over to the Gulf Coast for a quick visit with friends. We loaded the truck up and headed west, just a little sad about leaving Mystic yet again.

Road Trip Baton Rouge

Dave and I are moving forward in our healing. He is doing really well while I'm in the big black boot getting used to having two feet beneath me again. We are on a spring adventure after a hellacious winter! We spent three days visiting family and friends in Mobile, Alabama. We're headed for Baton Rouge for a reunion with our friends Scott and Yolanda Moody.

We met Scott and Yolanda at Knife River Marina back in 2013. We had just arrived from delivering our sailboat from Escanaba, Michigan. The Moody's had just trailered their sailboat from Oklahoma to Lake Superior for the summer. We hit if off immediately, finding we had much in common. They have become dear friends that mean the world to us. They still live in Oklahoma but Scott is working in Baton Rouge. We convinced Yolanda to fly in for the weekend. It didn't take much to get her to agree to join us.

Scott & Yolanda Moody aboard Mystic
Duluth harbor 2013

On our way west we drove through Bayou le Batre because everyone who can do so, should! After all, you might get lucky enough to run into Forrest Gump! Turns out Bayou le Batre is a tiny little fishing village; it's old and quaint. We saw no sign of Forrest or Bubba Gump shrimp boats but we can say we've been there now!

We arrived in Baton Rouge Friday evening and found our way to Scott's cousin's house where Scott is staying. Ms. Debbie and Mr. Duane graciously opened their home to us for an evening of food and conversation. Scott picked up 30 pounds of crawfish boil from the local seafood place. We ate for hours, devouring almost all of the delicious mud bugs! It was one of the best meals we've ever eaten and rivals the lobster boils out on the east coast. We had blackened grilled red fish the next evening. The food was incredible which seems to be true throughout the south.

Mud bugs

Beth, Scott, Yolanda & Dave

Beth & Yolanda at the Crawfish Boil

We hadn't seen Scott and Yolanda since 2015 at the Wineglass Marathon in Corning, New York. Yolanda ran with us and Scott supported us by carrying drinks, snacks and ibuprofen on a bike along the course. We ran the Tulsa Marathon with Yolanda in 2013. It was one of our most challenging races, in temps hovering around 20 F. We all agreed that had it been our first marathon, it would have been our last. Scott and Yolanda have been following our Great Loop progress closely. We hope to get them aboard Mystic. We love them like family!

Dave, Yolanda & Beth at starting line Tulsa Marathon 2013

Beth, Dave & Yolanda 2015 Wineglass Marathon

On Saturday we played tourist and visited Southern Louisiana University which sits along the Mississippi River. We also went to LSU to meet Mike the Tiger (version number seven). He's a handsome boy, living a pretty pampered life in a three million dollar habitat built in 2005.

Mississippi River View, Baton Rouge

Mississippi River View at
Southern Louisiana University

Mike the Tiger ~ LSU

Mike the 7th

Mike relaxing at the compound

We stopped in at the Tin Roof Brewing Company where we enjoyed the Parade Ground Coffee Porter and the Voodoo Pale Ale. They offer Yoga on tap and Trivia nights. If we lived in Baton Rouge, we'd become regulars here.

Tin Roof Taps

Tin Roof Microbrew Geaux (GO) Local

The weekend flew by. It was so good to reconnect with Scott and Yolanda. We look forward to seeing them again soon! Next, we'll head east to St. Augustine, Florida. It's time to check on our Alberg 35, S/V Mystic.