Data, Zombies, and Taking Control

Hey Folks, its me again! I have picked up the lingo and learned a lot about the boating and navigation in short order including actually piloting the boat. Anyway, my Dad got so worked up about this big crossing we did that he would be quite upset with me if I did not update everyone on some info (data, he calls it) about our recent crossing of the Gulf of Mexico. So here are the facts and then I can speak to the fun stuff:

Left Panama City @ 7:15 am on Nov 28 and arrived at Apalachicola at 3 PM (Dad uses military time but I havent gotten into that yet). We refueled and headed back out across Apalachicola Bay at 3:45PM and went through Government Cut (Dad says this name sounds like a good idea) and into the big, big Gulf of Mexico. We traveled all night and arrived at Clearwater, Fl the next morning, Nov 29 at 10:45 am...a total of 19 hours from Apalachicola and 27 hours from Panama City. We traveled 61 miles from Panama City to Apalachicola and then 180 miles to Clearwater, Fl. The seas were 1-2 feet most of way and the boat did good....my Dad says all his fancy equipment worked and really helped out way out in the middle of the big water. Mom and I slept a lot upstairs with Dad...I did have to relieve Dad once as you can see in pic. We stayed in contact with the boat behind us every 30 minutes by radio. As we got close to Clearwater Dad started zigzagging to keep from hitting crab pots. Anyway, we made the big crossing and Dad kept using the word Zombie toward the end of the trip.

We are going to stay here a few days and it is a neat place. I am really peeved about something and I will just put it on the table now....They do not allow dogs on the public beaches here and the problem is that I am a Westie and that should be taken into account . I want to dig in the sand and check out the birds and kids on the beach. Dad says you have to be careful eating on the beach as one of the birds swooped down and snatched some chips right out of his hand! And another thing...as you can see in the pic Mom is using MY toys to decorate her morning beverages...not sure why? But guess it is OK...she does a good job of taking care of me in the mornings when Dad is busy with the boat and keeps me warm too! Oh, almost forgot, met a new little friend over Thanksgiving and played with him a while. Not as much fun as Riley and Bogie back home but I could handle this little guy.

It is much warmer down here now and I dont think I will have to wear that icky sweater they put on me sometimes for quite a while. We are going to rent a car today and go to some Greek town with sponges, Tarpon Springs I think.

Over and out, roger, and all that other stuff...plus remember Bark More, Growl More!!