Very cold yesterday morning but the winds had died enough to push on. We really enjoyed our time in Pensacola and our time with John & Sue. Back into the beautiful intercoastal with all the magnificent homes and the dolphins playing around the boat. Also not so good are the rude fast big power boats. The first one snuck up on us and I didn't see him until he was almost abeam us. I turned into his 4' wake as quick as I could and Ann sat down on the floor. We had tied all our doors & drawers closed and taken things off the counters just for things like this but it still threw stuff all over. He did that to at least the next 7 boats as we each called ahead to warn people. No response from him on the radio. The next was a big Sea Ray that I saw and asked him for a slow pass, no response. He kept coming so I didn't slow down not wanting to be caught to slow to turn into him. As he got alongside I thanked him on the radio and he pulled the power off and commented that I needed to slow so he could pass. I do 8 mph and he was doing at least 20 mph. Him slowing so close just amplified his wake. Again with Ann sitting on the floor stuff was tossed around. Larry & Joan Ropka, the builders of Charis were out on their beach waving to us as we passed. We arrived at the city dock and slipped in to pick Larry up so he could guide us here to his friends dock. As soon as we cleared the city dock I insisted that he take the helm. He hesitated a bit but finally stepped up, a bit teary eyed. He spent so many years bringing this dream to completion and now several more after parting with her wondering what shape she was in. He wasn't disappointed and gave us many thanks and praise for our care. Joan was the same as she looked Charis over in the Bayou. Someone even passed by in a boat as Larry was outside and yelled what a beautiful boat he had. You should have seen him beam. We then left with them for their house and dinner. Right on the intercoastal with a beautiful sunset. It was so good to sit and catch up the last few years of our lives. They gave us a car to use and we even found our way back to the boat.
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| Larry getting aboard at the city dock. |
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| Charis in the Bayou. |
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| Their back yard. |
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| Sea wall and beach. |
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| Sunset! |
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