Boating Memories: Our Last Cruise on Mai Thai

This five-year-old photo popped up in our Facebook Memories yesterday and brought back such a sweet moment. Our cousin and her family were visiting, so we took them out on Mai Thai for a relaxing boat ride. We tied up at Shellmound Picnic Area, where they took the kayaks out for a paddle while we set up a simple picnic on the boat. A perfect day on the water, with plenty of sunshine, laughter and great company. Just a simple, happy memory we’ll always cherish.

Linking with Altered Book Lover

The last time we took Mai Thai out for a spin was in late September of last year. It was a calm weekday afternoon, and the river was almost entirely ours — hardly another boat in sight.

Leaving the marina

The weather was perfect — warm but not hot, with that hint of early autumn in the air. The hills surrounding the river were just beginning to show a touch of fall color.

A hint of fall colors

Heading up river towards the TN River Gorge

View from inside the boat

Usually, by this time of year, flocks of coots would be arriving from the north, their chattering calls echoing across the water. But we didn’t see any that day. Instead, a few cormorants stood sentinel on the riverside rocks, one with wings outstretched in the sun.

cormorants

It’s moments like these that remind us why we fell in love with boating in the first place. No schedule. Just us, the river, and nature putting on a quiet show. We snapped a few photos to remember the day — not knowing it would be our last ride on Mai Thai. 

Life gets busy. Boats change hands. Seasons come and go. But the memories stay with us.

Looking back, we’re just grateful for all the good times Mai Thai gave us — the laughter, the sunsets, the solitude at anchor, and the camaraderie at the marinas. The shared moments on the water.

She was more than just a boat. She was part of our story.

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday.

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Goodbye Tennessee Aquarium, Hello Florida Botanical Garden!

For a couple of years, I volunteered at the Tennessee Aquarium in the horticulture department. I am grateful for the wonderful experience. We decided to move back to Florida, so I bid farewell to the aquarium last fall. Watering and taking care of the plants behind the Delta Country exhibit and at the greenhouse, I learned a lot about the plants and animals - turtles, ducks, fish. I miss them and miss the lovely Chattanooga waterfront as well.

The Tennessee Aquarium on the riverfront in Chattanooga downtown

Hello Florida Botanical Garden! We love this place and visited often; I've always wanted to volunteer here when I move back.  I use to drive 20 miles to the aquarium once every two weeks, now I drive 3 miles to the garden once a week. It is a welcome change, trafficwise.

One of the reasons we chose to live in Pinellas County is its extensive park system. Hurricanes Helene and Milton did quite a bit of damage to these parks. Some are still closed. The garden, which is also part of the Pinellas County Parks, opened two weeks ago. On the day I started, they had a poinsettia delivery. The volunteers were tasked to move and situate them to their final destination. The poinsettias were absolutely beautiful. Just in time for the holidays! The holiday lights at the Florida Botanical Garden opens on Friday Nov 29 and runs until Saturday Jan 4, 2025. Click on their website link for more details.

some of the lovely poinsettias are anchored here.

Many an artist likes to draw/paint at this scenic spot

great place to sit and relax

Turtles and bird basking in the sun; there's an alligator around somewhere

we trimmed the Norah Grant Ixora so visitors have an unobstructed view of the lake

If you are in the area or on the way to the beach, plan to visit this amazing garden. You'll be glad you did.

Have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Through My Lens.

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Weekend Reflections: Hurricane Helene

Hurricane Helene, a category 4 storm, unleashed its fury Thursday, causing significant damages. It made landfall near Perry, Florida late that night, leaving tremendous destruction in its wake. The Florida Gulf coast - Bradenton, Longboat Key, Anna Maria, the Tampa Bay area, Cedar Key, Steinhatchee - bear the brunt of it. This morning reports are coming in with pictures of historic flooding and landslides in the foothills of TN and NC. It is heartbreaking to see so much devastation. CNN mentioned that at least 45 people were killed across five states. You can read more here.

To add insult to injury, many beaches and homes were rebuilt just last year! Storm surges are the scariest, as you can see in these videos below. The first is of Cedar Key, the second on Steinhatchee. We never stopped at Steinhatchee, but many cruisers, especially those who do the Great Loop, stop there as they cruise from Mobile Bay to Florida.

Just last week we were in the Florida Panhandle and had driven to Apalachicola for lunch, stopping at Mexico Beach. Hurricane Michael, a category 5 storm, had devastated the area back in 2018. We were happy to see the rebuilding of the small town coming together nicely. Beaches were restored with the planting of sea oats to protect the dunes from future storms and erosion.

At Apalachicola, we ambled around town to find many businesses closed, likely due to Covid. Our favorite place, The Seafood Grill, is now a different restaurant. We settled for Hole in the Wall where we had fabulous fried oysters and shrimp.

Fried oysters and hush puppies

Our next stop was St George Island State Park. Dr Beach selected this beach to be number 1 beach in America last year, and we are not surprised. Miles of undeveloped beaches with fine white sand beckoned us to swim in the inviting warm waters of the Gulf. A yellow flag was flying indicating medium hazard; the slight breeze felt wonderful. Visions of the Cape Cod National Seashore danced in my mind when I saw the wind swept dunes.

Sand dunes

Nice facilities with restrooms, showers and pavilions for picnics

Cape St George Light

During our vacation in Panama City Beach, we ate at a popular restaurant called Schooners, a popular spot to watch and celebrate the sunset. When we turned onto the street where Schooners is located, this was what greeted us.

Shocking is an understatement. OMG, what happened here? We later learned that it was a tornado's doing. Which is even scarier because you never know where it's going to hit.

View from the beach

Schooners

No doubt lives have been changed. We pray people are safe and hope for the best.

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday Through My Lens and Art Journal Journey.

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A day in the life of a liveaboard, part 10

It's been hot. We've had a heat wave since last week. Some mornings were nice and cool. Two days ago we awoke to 75 degrees F. I seized the opportunity to do some kayaking before it got hot. The high was going to be 95. As I was heading out, I spied a humungous log so long and thick it could do some serious damage to a boat. 

Like a Good Samaritan, I moved it to the river's edge to get it out of harm's way. It took some muscling with the paddles, but I was able to get it to the riverbank and wedge it by the rocks, so it wouldn't break loose so easily.

I looked up to see a flock of Canadian geese on the side of the road making a cacophony of noises.

I paddled over to the other side of the dock to get a better look.

This is the graveyard of the marina. In 2011 a tornado had come through and tore the roof off of the same dock. Two winters ago, a Hatteras yacht caught fire and sunk. It's sad to see the remains left lying around and nothing being done about it. And that's the view when you drive into Hales Bar Marina & Resort, affectionately known as the Dam Marina. You can read more about the fire here.

G-Dock

The remains of the Hatteras

This Hatteras was a good looking yacht that sat at the end of our dock for years. The owner busted an engine while bringing her up from Florida, and it's been abandoned since. Neighbors had complained about the smell of mold and mildew, so management moved her over to G-Dock by the road.

Looking at the Hatteras from the blackberry patch, circa 2010.

 Sometimes I see coots and ducks hanging out here. Not this morning. 

coot and duck find a safe haven on neglected G-Dock

Beautiful sky and scenery

A trimaran sits at an old friend's slip

Reflection of the sky on the water

On the way back to my boat, I stopped to check on the blackberries. They've been cut back so there aren't many berries for picking.

Decent size blackberries are almost ripe to pick!

That's my exercise for the day. I'll be staying inside for the rest of the day. 

Stay cool, y'all, and Happy Fourth of July!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and GMa's Photo.

 

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Falling for the South: Chattanooga, TN

Like many towns and cities across the U.S., Chattanooga has expanded left and right over the last decade.  Every where you look, hotels and residential buildings are popping up. Traffic congestion is becoming a huge problem, especially at the I-24/I-75 split, and west towards Nashville. 

Luckily, the downtown is not so bad as restaurants and hotels are not concentrated in just one area. A free  electric shuttle runs from the TN Aquarium to the Chattanooga Choo Choo with stops in between, so you can get to your favorite restaurants, shops and hotels easily. In addition to summer concerts and the annual Riverbend Music Festival, Chattanooga riverfront is also a port of call for cruise ships and the replica of Columbus' ship Pinta and hosts events like Ironman, paddling and rowing.

This week, with friends in town, we explored the North Shore, the bluff view art district and the south side.

Market St Bridge in the early morning

 The American Splendor docked in Chattanooga riverfront

Looking at the aquarium from the North Shore riverfront

Walnut Street Pedestrian Bridge connects the bluff view arts district to the North Shore

Hunter Museum in the bluff view arts district

Bronze statue of Woman in Dress with Star

Lobby of the Edwin Hotel (opened May 2018)

Chattanooga Choo Choo station, now a Holiday Inn

Recently, we kayaked at Raccoon Mountain (less than 10 miles from downtown), and took some friends up to the visitor center. The view of the Tennessee River Gorge is breathtaking, as always.

Tennessee River Gorge, as seen from the Visitor Center at Raccoon Mountain

picnic area at the bottom of Raccoon Mountain

launching area for boats and kayaks

As you can see, Chattanooga is a scenic city, with an abundance of outdoor opportunities for both kids and adults. We look forward to some of our favorite fall events on the Tennessee River - Chattajack31 (Oct 28), and Head of the Hooch (Nov 4/5). See you on the river!

This post is shared on Skywatch Friday and Image-in-ing.

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