We're chilling

Hi all.

We're 'chilling' -- that is, chilling out and shiver-chilling in Port St. Joe. This place gets an A+++ in hospitality, friendliness, helpfulness, and welcoming environment. Churches could take clues from here! The staff is wonderful, and the designated "Harbor Host" couple make sure one's every need is met. They even provide a morning paper delivered to your boat, sometimes with donuts or muffins.

Last Sunday, while tied up at Fort Walton Beach, Bill and Sally Davis from Winchester TN and Miramar Beach FL picked us up and took us to their new home nearby. It was great to visit with friends, to be with people we knew, and to tour their new home. What a treat!

After traveling last Sat-Sun-Mon-Tues, we arrived here just in time to experience a storm just this side of a hurricane, complete with a side order of tornado passing directly over, which started Tuesday night and ended by mid afternoon on Wednesday. We're talking 5.5" of rain, and an evacuation of the boaters to the marina's secure areas for about an hour. Happily, we were tied in securely and everything and everyone is fine. There were reports of swells as high as 19' (!) in the Gulf during and after the storm. Definitely not Eschaton-friendly water. Wednesday evening, about 20 of us from the marina were shuttled to a local restaurant for dinner(dutch). We returned to our pier which, rain and high tides combined, was 5" under water meaning we waded to our boats. That was the easy part: getting on the boats was another challenge, considering how high they were floating. Quite a stretch!

Last night the couples from 2 other boats came over to share chili... one from Minneapolis, the other from Fairfield Glade, TN. Different backgrounds, different stories, but always there are ways to connect. One of the women attended BU as a piano/organ major and knew faculty and facilities around the Boston area. Talk about 6-degrees-of-separation!

We have come about 800 miles since leaving Cuba Landing back on Oct 26. We have had a good balance of anchorages and 'free' tie-ups along with slip fees. Right now, here at Port St Joe (PSJ), the monthly rate is wonderful, and so we will likely stay awhile. This gives us the opportunity to worship through Advent in one church, to participate in some community events ( tree lighting and parade tonight), and help out some (we're getting in contact with a Good-Sam type place; and/or a party for an assisted living center, and a Christmas Day meal). Also, Jack can keep working on his writing assignment.

As in much of the country, it's cold here in PSJ today. Happily, the sun came out so we have walked the 2 short blocks to the hardware store. Tonight the temps are predicted to go to 31... and then moderate into next week. Yeah!

Our address here is c/o Port St. Joe Marina, 340 Marina Dr, PSJ, FL 32456. We have great WiFi , so contact is easier and I will likely add to the blog 2x a week. In the meantime,
Grace and peace to you as we share in this season of Advent.

nan and jack