Lucy the Seasick Kitty

Today was quite a weather adventure here in the Florida panhandle. It rained like crazy all night and this morning the wind started to blow strong and steady. About 9 am Clara, the marina manager, came down the dock to warn us of a tornado in the area and ask us all to come up to the office for safety. The tornado went over us without touching down, but the wind was howling and the rain was pouring sideways. After a cup of coffee and some socializing, we all returned to our boats. Shingebiss was rocking and rolling and the patio door that we had closed but forgotten to secure, had been rocked wide open. Alot of rain came in, but the floor is really clean now. The table was even wet, we were relieved that the lids on the computers were closed and they are fine. The boat was rolling so much that Lucy and I both got a little seasick. Lucy lost her lunch, but I did not. We got several inches of rain along with lots of lightening and thunder. By afternoon, the wind and rain subsided and by sunset the sun began to peek out. The air was fresh and clean as I took this picture of the marina from the top of the observation tower.

The marina arranged a couple of drivers to take about 18 of us out to Sunsets for a great dinner. We sat with a couple from St. Petersburg who stop at St. Joe every year on their annual cruise. Russ grew up on the Big Bend at Crystal River so he had lots of good local knowledge for us. Ray and Patsy were again the instigators for this outing. They are the ambassadors for a fun time at Port of St. Joe. What a great couple. Ray runs around all day helping people with whatever they need. Here they are.

We walked back to the marina on the "Bay Walk" a lovely sand trail through the palm trees along the bay. Upon our return we learned that the high tide was extra high tonight due to the wind on the Gulf and the water was about 3 inches over our dock. When this happens, the electricity has to be turned off until the water goes back down. No big deal, but Clara was there to escort us all back to our boats and see that we were okay. The docks down here don't float like we're used to on the river, so as the water and boat go up, the dock stays put. At high tide it's always a challenge for me to get on and off the boat, but tonight the only way on was from the swim platform. Hmmm, maybe I'll have to try that during "normal" high tide. Here's Clara next to our boat, note the water on the dock and how high the boat is off the dock.

The tide has dropped and the power is back on now. They sure take good care of us here at St. Joes.