2/20/17 Monday Wadmalaw River, S.of Charleston

We pulled away from the dock in Isle of Hope and was underway by 6:45am this morning! We have had a great day of travel, tides been good, weather great, and the flow of current has pushed us most of the day!! We traveled 105 miles today and travel 10 1/2 hours. You think we ready to get home or what!! Lol
We found a nice place to anchor this evening around 6pm and there was a mooring ball sitting here so we latched on to it!!!! It was not marked as private so we said Thank you Lord for this provision for the night!!
We plan to rise early and leave by 6:30am and push hard to get into our dock in Georgetown before dark!! If the tides serve us well, and we have done the calculations, we should make it before dark!!
If fact we should be home around 3-4pm!! Now I'm anxious to be home again!!
Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod
PS please keep my daughter Sherry my son in law Allen and my granddaughter Allie in your prayers as they will be at the the swearing of oath of Triston into the marines tomorrow morning! We are all so proud of his decision to become a Marine, but hard to say bye for 13 weeks! Lord I so wish I was there, but my heart will be with him and them as they let him go!

As we past Paris Island today we prayed for Triston who will spend the next 13 weeks here stating tomorrow!!

Lots of dolphins around the boat today!! Makes Lexie a happy pup!!

Lexie napping in her bed on the bridge!! She stuck her head out when I ask where ate you Lexie!, lol

A beautiful sunset at anchor tonight!, 

2/19/17 Sunday Savannah, Ga

We slept in this morning as we really did not want to leave till 8am or so as we needed for the tide to rise some before we get to a place called Hell Gate!! An appropriate name for this area as it is only about 1/8 of a mile long but at low tide it only has 2 feet of water!!! (And its 15 miles to go around it) so worth the wait till high tide! We were up by 7am, but just enjoyed the sunrise and had coffee and waited till 8am or so to pull up anchor and head on north. A beautiful travel day!! We arrived at Hell Gate around 11:30am which is 2 hours into rising tide, and we went through with about 4-5 feet of water under the boat!! Great timing!! We arrived at Isle of Hope marina around 1pm took on 125 gals of diesel fuel and docked for the night. We thought about getting their courtesy car and go into town, but Rod was just to tired. Lexie and I took a nice long walk of which she thoughly enjoyed it was a warm beautiful afternoon! I cooked supper, We then watched a movie, then Rod repaired a short in the electrical panel for our running lights. A quick 30 min fix!! A nice relaxing evening!!
We should be home in 3 maybe 4 days !!!
Pray for our safe travels!! Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

Lexie looked for the dolphins all day!! They were plentiful and she never missed one!! Lol

Our dockage for the night!! Isle of Hope here in Davannah, Ga.

2/18/17 Saturday Anchored Johnson Creek Ga

Today is probably the cloudiest day of travel we have had the entire trip! We never saw the sun today although it was 72 degrees or so and 80 or better on the bridge of the boat. We untied from the dock this morning at 6:45am and off we went headed north again!! With in a couple hours we were in Georgia!!
We pushed our self today as the tides were just perfect to go through the Hugh sounds and some areas we knew are very shallow at low tide. So we pushed on in fact 122 miles today and 12 hours driving!! Rod seems to get a kick out of seeing how long he can drive!!! Ha. It was a good thing though as we had only one issue that we scrubbed the bottom for a few seconds! Rod calls it "bump and go" !, I know one thing it makes you have tight butt cheeks!! Lol we bumped the bottom so hard it turned over the lamps in our bedroom!! The rest if the day was great!! We never had another time with less than 3-4 feet under the boat!  that's a good thing! Ha
5pm I started our supper and while it cooked I took my shower, served supper as he continued to drive and finally 7pm we anchored in Johnsons Creek about 35 miles south of  Savannah. We have made reservations to dock 1 night at Isle of Hope to get fuel and water to be able to make it the next 3 days to home. It's almost 9am, our bedtime when we travel, and I'm bushed!!!  We need to wait on the tide to rise some in the morning before we pull up anchor. We have a few areas we con not get though tomorrow morning till the tide rises some. So we may not leave tomorrow until 8am or so!!
Georgia is a tough travel state so please pray for our journey tomorrow!!  Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

Nothing like starting the day with a georgeous sunrise!!

Lots of dolphin today!!!

Saw 2 paratroopers today over Jekyll Island!!

Wild ponies on Cumberland Osland!!! 

Caught a shrimp boat cleaning his nets! Never saw this before!!

Even big boats breakdown!! This one was sitting right in the middle of the river and mechanics were working on repairs!!Fernandino Beach

Red at night sailors delight!! Breath taking sunset!!

2/17/17 Friday Jacksonville, Fla

We had an incredible day of travel!! The weather was fabulous, and water was as smooth as glass, and hardly any wind! We travel 67 miles today from Palatka (we left at 6:30am) to the north end of Jacksonville beach to the city docks. We docked around 4pm so we had time for a nice walk with Lexie, socialize and meet a few other boaters here at the dock, Rod washed our boat a little, and then we just enjoyed the free time on our deck!! We enjoyed a salad with salmon for supper.
Discussed our daily plans for docking or anchoring each night then called it a day!! Lol
Rods reading, I'm completing the blog and then bedtime!! As we will leave tomorrow morning at 6:30 am so we will rise and get started 6am.
Please pray for our safe travels!! Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

A beautiful sunrise as we pulled up anchor this morning!!

This is important stuff when you anchor out!!! Lol. We act like we have a 2yr old and get excited when they go potty!!! Lol

Just as we entered Jacksonville we got stopped for a train!! I bet it was 100 cars or more!! We had to wait about 30 mins before the bridge could raise and let us go through.

Sunset at the dock this evening!! Just never gets old to see!!!

2/16/17 Thursday Palatka, Fla

We got up at 6am this morning and prepared for the journey north up the St. John's River. A nice long walk with Lexie, untied our home and off we went about 6:45am.  A sad day to leave our friends here in Sanford, but exciting day to be traveling again! We so enjoy our time riding the waterway!! Lol
We traveled 73 miles today and anchored at Palatka Fla about 60 miles or so south of Jacksonville.
A beautiful evening sitting in the back deck, play time with Lexie and we played with my BB gun shooting at a grapefruit Rod tied to a fishing pole and threw out behind the boat!! lol  You have to entertain yourself with some kind of activity after riding all day! Ha
I made some BBQ chicken in the crockpot last night so this morning I put some of it in the freezer and some we had for supper tonight. I'll be asleep by 9pm (boaters midnight) as 6am comes early!!
Exciting news to share my grandson Triston will be sworn in to the Marine Corp next Tuesday! He has waited his entire life for this!! We are just so sad we won't be at the ceremony! But we will be in Parris Island for the graduation!! We are so proud of him!
It's been a great day of travel!! Please continue to pray for our safe travels!! Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

A beautiful sunrise as we left Sanford this morning!!

The first bridge we come to after leaving port this morning held us for 15 minutes for the sun rail train to pass before they could open for us!!

ROd said Annie Oakley? No Frannie Oakley!!, lol

1/15/17 Wednesday Sanford Fla

This is our last day in Sanford Fla!!! As you know there are last minute checks (still had one more load of clothes to wash) just things that can't be done till the last minute!! I had some packages to mail as grandchildren will have Birthdays before I can get to a post office again! Rod really wanted to visit the Corner Cafe here in town for one last bread bowl of French onion soup! It is out of this world good! So we took a break as we left the post office and had lunch.
Paula picked us up around 3pm and we went to their house for a visit and a great supper of beef stew and Hawaiian rolls!! And of course one last round of UNO of which I whooped every bodies butt!! Lol. A wonderful way to spend our last day with our BBFs.
The check list has been completed and we will untie and take aff around 6am tomorrow morning! We hope to have good weather for traveling!! I'll keep you posted on our anchoring each night as we travel straight to get home in approx 6 days.
Please pray for our journey, good weather, and the health of our home!! She has had a few issue this trip but over all served us well!!
Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

Ok !!! So,I forgot the before pic!! I was hungry!! Lol we both had bread bowls of French onion soup,he had a salad and I had a corn beef panini sandwich which I will enjoy tomorrow at lunch!! 

They always end your meal with a shot glass full of desert!! Just too cute and oh so yummy!

2/14/17 Wednesday Sanford Fl

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!!!!  I do hope everyone got to spend some time with someone special in their life today!!!  Rod and I exchanged our usual mushy mushy Valentines cards this morning! Lol.  He's my Valentine everyday! He has worked all day washing the exterior of our boat as he refuses to ride up the waterway in a dirty boat! Ha. So she is now all shiny and clean! I changed sheets on bed, washed clothes and most of all got a manicure and pedicure, as I refuse to ride up the waterway with ugly nails and toes!! Lol. We plan to finish the very last minute tasks in the morning as we will untie early Thursday morning and head north.
We all chose to not fight the dinner crowds and hit the Cracker Barrel for supper tonight! We walked right in and got seated! Good choice! As that was the guys idea to go there. I found another great hat there to night I just had to have! I found my last favorite hat at the Cracker Barrel a few years ago. Paula found a cute wooden mushroom and a great sign for her laundry room that said "If you want same day service, wash yourself " hehe
Another great afternoon with our BBF's!!!
Love to all, and again Happy Valentines!!  Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

Thank you Jackie, owner of American Nails and Spa here in Sanford, for taking care of my nails and toes while I was here!!

2/13/17 Monday Sanford Fla

It's another Monday morning but for us it's just another day!  Ha. We made our list last night of all that we need to get completed before we cruise out of here on Thursday! Rods got his mechanical stuff, and I've got the groceries and cleaning to accomplish. I've kept up with most of it so just last minute stuff, making sure the sheets are changed on the bed, all clothes are washed and enough food to get us through till we dock next in Georgetown!!! Paula and I made a Walmart run for all necessities.  We are going to Fresh Market tomorrow to take advantage of $2.99 lb. Ground beef Tuesday!! Pedicure and manicure is scheduled at 11am tomorrow!! That's a necessity! Lol and we will be ready!! Valentine dinner out tomorrow night with Jim and Paula scheduled!
Wednesday will be last minute things done and we will take off Thursday Morning 6:30am!
Still a great day and things are falling into place.  Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod
Sorry no pics!!!😝 Nothing worth photographing today!!

2/12/17 Sunday Sanford Florida

What a fabulous Sunday!! Our long time friends Judy & Wayne Berryman from TImberlake Baptist Church in Myrtle Beach who now spend the winter months in Ocala Fla, came to visit us today!! They spend the summer at their home back in Michigan. They treated us to lunch at Patio Grille here in Sanford then we came back to the boat and just talked and caught up on life, grandkids, children and what we all want our retirement years to be!! Lol. We have not seen them since last August when they came to close on the sell of their home in Myrtle Beach. A great day with very special friends! They also brought Snickers, their daundshound, which Lexie enjoyed having a visit from him!!
We then enjoyed the evening with a group of friends here at the dock to celebrate Matt's 55th birthday!! His wife Cat made a Hugh pot of spaghetti, salad, garlic bread for everyone to enjoy! I took banana pudding for desert, who don't like banana pudding right?  More good times with friends here on Dock C at Monroe Harbor Marina!! Only a few more days left and we will be headed home!
Another good day in sunny Florida!!! Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

A fun day with special long time friends Judy & Wayne Berryman!!

SNickers!! He enjoyed his time with Lexie!! They have been friends all their lives!!

happy Birthday Matt!! THanks Cat for a great supper on Dock C !!!

2/11/17 Saturday Sanford Fla

Well we said we were going to play tourist all day and most of it we did. This afternoon we did spend a few hours finishing up our tour schedule for August September and October! Now it is complete and ready for people to come on and book a tour asap!!! Lol
Paula and Jim picked us up at 9:30am and we went to a place called Lucas Nursery and Butterfly Pavillion. This nursery is over 35 acres, by far the largest I've ever seen. We enjoyed walking through the butterfly pavillion. They said if we thought that today was good, we should come in the summmer as there are thousands to see. I have a few pics to share as  I probably took 50 pics or more.
Then we went to the Jolly Gator Fish Camp and Grille for lunch. A great day spent with our BBFs (Best Boater Friends) !!  A restful evening at home working on the tour schedule made our day complete! Another great day on vacation as it will soon end!
Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

We had to act like kids!! Lol

Beautiful Butterflies everywhere!!

These are full grown Button Quill. They were running around everywhere. They looked like baby chicks.

We out sweet water in our finger and they came and enjoyed!,

A beautiful water garden!! 

One sat on Paula's hand!

This a sa chocklote bean tree!! The skin is eaten and the seeds are used to make chocolate 

The largest wind chimes in the world!! 241 ft long!! They sounded beautiful!!

2/10/17 Friday Sanford Fla

Rod got up a this morning and again started in his spring cleaning and organization mode!! He was pulling everything out of his cabinets up on the bridge, and started sorting into catagories for new boxes now mounted in the engine room downstairs!! What a chore this has been! But it's like when you get started there's just more to be done!! Lol
At 3pm he punched out and said "I am not going to spend my last week here on vacation working"!!
I sincerely doubt that statement, cause when he starts something he is obsessed until it's completed.
He showered and dressed to go to Paula and Jim's house for dinner and some fun time playing Uno!!
We had a fabulous dinner of pulled pork BBQ, baked beans, potato salad, Mac and cheese and rolls!!
We picked our dinner up from the man that sets up his cooker in the marina parking lot each Friday and sells to the public. I bought beef ribs from him last week, this week he had full menu!
As always we enjoyed a battling of friends in an hour and half Uno game!!! Fun fun!!! Lol   I just hated I forgot to take pics!!
Now ready for bed as tomorrow we will be playing tourist again most of the day!!
Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

While Paula and I cleaned up the kitchen, the guys enjoyed some alone time on the deck at their house!

2/9/17 Thursday Sanford Fla

It's been another beautiful day in Florida!! I sometimes feel so blessed to spend time here! It's a wonderful town!! Not to mention our BBFs (Paula & Jim) that live here!!
Rod has now come up with a BIG reorganizing thing for his tools and "stuff" !! So we spent the day after we rode 11miles on our bike to Lowes, and stopping by Goodwill and picking up several plastic Rubbermaid boxes, sorting tools and bolts and stuff in compartments. He made shelves in the motor room for everything!!! Woohoo!!!! Spring cleaning!!
We went downtown this evening to the Marti Gras celebration. I tell you the people in this town support functions so much. There were hundreds there covering the street. Venders with food, crafts, music and of course Marti Gras beads everywhere!! I fun fun evening.
I have a few picks to share! We feel like we have a lot to accomplish in the next week as we will pull out of here for our journey home on Thursday the 16th.
I have a few pics to share!!  Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

Every evening I enjoy a beautiful sunset from our deck!!

Just had to take a pic of this group peddling this cart down the street as the party, drink and be merry!, lol. I guess all the peddling they work off the alcohol!! Lol

It was dark but the parade tonight was very festive!! The mass music was just too fun!! 

Lexie received more treats from the Marti Gras they gave away dog treats samples of dog food, and we bought her a cute little bag that clips onto her leash and it hold her poop bags!! I forgot to get a pic, I will post it tomorrow night!! 

Notice she is wearing the Marti Gras needs around her neck!,

Rod found his first "Sanford Rock" today!!, they take smooth river stones and many people paint them and they have many many different paintings depending on your painting ability, and them people hide them all over town. When you find one you can keep as a souvenir or reside somewhere else in town. 

They even have a FB page you can go to,and post a pick of the rocks you find. 

2/8/17 Wednesday Sanford Fla

Hey It's Hump Day!! And another work day for Rod and I!! Actually he did the work I just supervised and again his gofer! Come 5pm this evening he said it was completed but I am sure there is a few more details left to complete as there are still tools sitting on the back deck! Lol
I want to go somewhere tomorrow if I can get him away for awhile! Ha   It's predicted a beautiful day so a nice bike ride is in my future tomorrow!!!
Just another day in sunny Fla in February!! Lol
Sorry no pics today the only thing I wanted to take a picture of was the top of Rods head as he walked off the boat this afternoon and a bird pooped right on the top of his head! Hehe
It's a beautiful day in the neighborhood!! Lol
Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

2/7/17 Tuesday Sandford, Fla

Today was the day of completion of Rods electrical work!!  Thank the Lord it's done!! The motor room looks great, all cleaned he made shelves for his tools, and cleaned up some old equipment that had never been removed when we upgraded our toilets awhile ago!! I chore that was much needed!
There is always things to worked on and upgraded!!
I again was his gofer all day! And I kept him fed and watered most of the day! You got to take care of your mechanic you know!!
We have also spent some of the day working on tour schedules for April and May, I've already got emails requesting our summer and fall schedule!  It's time to get back to work I Guess!!
It was a beautiful day almost ashamed we did not get out and enjoy it! Thunderstorms coming tonight, (already medicated Lexie) and she's resting quietly!! I think it will be nice tomorrow!
I have a few fun pics to share tonight!!
Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

Everyday this bird and probably others poop all,over the side of our boat!! Rod caught this one in action this morning! The right,or starboard, side of the boat has to be washed a couple times a Day!

A beautiful sunset from the back deck this evening!!

Hot water, dawn, and a pocket knife I'd Rods way of removing super glue off his hands!

2/5/17 Sunday & 2/6/17 Monday

Hey guys!! It's Monday evening and I figured I'd better catch up on the blog!! Just not a lot going on the last few days. We did spend the entire evening watching the comeback and revenge of the Tom Brady Show last night!! Lol    and of course Lady Gaga!! lol   I'm not much on football but I so hoped Atlanta would win!! And I don't care much for Lady Gaga, but that was a fabulous half time show!
Rod I went on an 11 mile bike ride yesterday!! What a beautiful day! It was just as nice today! Rod has fished some. Me I supervise Lexie, as she wants to be right under his feet every minute he fishes.
We enjoyed those fish tonight with a fish fry, hush puppies and coleslaw!!
We really doing a lot of chillin!! Oh and Rod did install the new battery today so we ready to travel again in about 10 days!  Heading home to Georgetown!
Sorry no pics to share, I figured I had eneoigh pics of Rod working and fishing!! Ha
Love to all!!  Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

2/4/17 Saturday Sanford Fla

Rod said let's get up and go to the farmers market here in town this morning!!  Ok, so it's Saturday and I thought my day to sleep in!! Oh well!, it's was a beautiful morning, sunny and 70 degrees or so. We walked up town, only about 2 blocks to the farmers market. We loaded up on fruit and veggies, in fact I bought the largest red bell pepper I have ever seen and it was only 75 cents!!  Paula called and wanted to go to Walmart for a few things and I road along, always something to get at Walmart!, ha
We did also go to Bed Bath and Beyond and I found a great set of placemats and matching napkins I can make my kitchen curtains to match!, and with coupons they were a real deal! When I got home Rod had our bathroom in a total mess as he decided to put another outlet plug!! Looks great and more functional!!
Another working day!!  Much love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod
Sorry I didn't take one pic today!! 😝

2/3/17 Friday Sanford Fla

TGIF!!!  I do hope everyone has a great weekend planned!! As for us we have to continue to work on our electrical system!! It again has been an all day project for Rod, but he has about 90% of the work completed. It's hard to believe it is now decided to deteriorate!! He said it was just worn and several people have owned this boat and probably all have done some work which most of it has been shottie and halfway done!! Cleaning up someone else's handy work is hard work!! Lol
We will have to replace one of the batteries on Monday and then it should be completed. Just please pray it gets us back home to Georgetown without problems!!
Not much else, I was just a "gofer" today!! Lol
I had a supper planned for tonight, but as I was walking Lexie this evening there was a man in the parking lot of the marina with a Hugh smoker selling beef ribs!! I could not resist so I bought a full slab, which will make 2 meals for us!! They were yummy!!
Resting up this evening, tomorrow's another day!!!
Much love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

Lexie did talk her Daddy into a little playtime this evening! She is waiting for hi to try and take it from her!

2/2/17 Thursday Sanford Fla

It's been another beautiful day in Sunny Florida!! If you read yeaterdays blog I mentioned "another story" well today was the continuation of it!!! Ha. As I am trying to celebrate my birthday yesterday, Rod is trying his best to get our battery issues repaired!!! It has been an ongoing issue for several weeks and day before yesterday they totally quit!!! We have dock power and we can do what we need to do but without battery power we can't travel!!! Having only 2 more weeks here it is a must it gets repaired. Rod stayed up working on them and all the wiring till 1:30 am last night, and started again at 7:30am this morning!!  He thinks he has narrowed it down to a water buldge pump that is stuck in the on position. It's the pump that emptys out the water from our shower. He worked all day today reworking the wiring to everything he thought could be draining the power from the batteries. So tomorrow it will be change the pump out and see if that is the culprit!!
Me, I was the gofer all day for what ever he needed!!!
I made a pot of manwich for supper, then Jim and Paula took us to get ice cream for my birthday yesterday, as we were just to full after supper last night to eat ice cream!! That's ok, another day of celebration!!! LOL
A hard working day is done!!!
Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

Ice cream at Baskin Robbins for the birthday completion!!!

DONE !!!! lol another year is gone! Hehe

2/1/17 Wednesday Sanford Fla

ITS FEBRUARY 1st!! And yes it's my birthday!! I have been overwhelmed with Birthday wishes today!! I feel soooo blessed!!
Rod started off this morning with a tee shirt for me he had sneaked and bought when we were in Islamorada in the Keys from the restaurant The Shrimp Shack!! It's featured in Diner Drive ins and Diners Guy Fiera!! Then he tells me to be ready at 2pm, to wear jeans, and a light shirt! OK so I'm ready at 2pm. And he is still working in the motor room on our battery issue!!!! That's another whole story!! Lol
He hurries and showers and we sit on the back deck and he keeps looking at the parking lot sayin our ride will be here shortly!! After about 15 mins here comes an air boat up to our boat and the guys says Happy Birthday come on let's go!!!!!! What a grand 2 hours on a private ride through the marshs of the river!! Fantastic!!!! I have pics to share!!!
Then back dressed for dinner with Paula and Jim to The Cattle Ranch!! We all enjoyed ribeye steaks baked potato and salad!!! Yummy!!
Paula gave me a salad spinner!! A cute plate with a tandem bike painted on it and a painted river rock that the people of this town do for fun!! People take river rocks paint and decorate and then place around the town for people to find!! She gave me a special one that I had really like!! She has several she has found walking around town!!
Face timed with Sherry and Allie, always a fun time even if it's not my birthday, but sure made it special today!!
Thanks to all my friends, family, and Rod for making this a very special day!! I am soooo very blessed!!
Love to all, Ms. Fran & Capn Rod

Off on a private AirBoat ride!!!!

Caught this big guys sunning on the marshes!! We saw lots of wild life!,

My platter from Paula!! We love our tandem bike!!!!!

And a new kitchen gagit!! 

And Lexie!!! She spends her day sunning!! Lol