Thanksgiving 2012

We felt a little alone for Thanksgiving. We had the option of attending a looper Thanksgiving on Wednesday for lunch but we had mechanics all over the boat all day so that didn't happen. The Grand Hotel in Fairhope had a Thanksgiving dinner that was probably amazing but we didn't feel like spending $60 each and we had no transportation to get there. We might have gone to the Mobile Yacht Club but there didn't appear to be anyone hanging out there. So we decided to make our own Thanksgiving.

It is quite a challenge to make a small meal, enough for two with one meal leftover in a 5x5 kitchen. Previously we could only use 1 electrical cooking tool at time which makes it even more of a challenge. But this trip proves we are up for a challenge.

I picked up a 1.5 pound chunk of turkey breast and made turkey stuffed with dressing, dressing on the side, gravy, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce and brownies for dessert. And it was all hot when we served at 4:00pm!! And we discovered that after the repairs the day before I could use several heating appliances at the same time. I used 1 burner for things that had to cook on the stove, an electric skillet with a cover to create a little oven for the turkey, and put the convection oven on to keep completed items warm. It was delicious!! And quiet and pleasant.

Notice the fancy gravy boat? You make due with what you have on the boat...

We are very thankful that we are able to do this trip. We are also thankful that we are getting along so well, surprisingly well. We miss the kids and friends back home but we are content with our new kind of Thanksgiving this year.

After dinner we had docktails with Joanne and Glenn on Gypsy. They have a really cute little dog like Carson and Gracie only brown. They are traveling on a 30' sailboat but they are not on the loop. They will be returning to Montgomery later this week.

Gay and Mike from Irish Attitude

All the supplies needed for a dinghy ride!

Friday we took the dinghy out in beautiful 70 degree weather. The flat water and clear skies made it perfect to nose around the Dog River. We have all our supplies, so let's get started!!

We found Gay and Mike from Irish Attitude and chatted for a while.

Picking up logs out of Dog River

Dog River Marina is home to shrimp boats - just like on Forrest Gump.

Shrimp boats in Dog River Marina

Shrimp boats in Dog River Marina

Dog River Marina

Good Karma at the dock in Dog River Marina

Good Karma at dock in Dog River Marina. The dock is pretty empty. 

Katherine relaxing after a dinghy ride. 

Kermit relaxing too. 

We relaxed a bit after returning. The weather was perfect - about 70 degrees clear. But we were not alone. I was completely overtaken by no-see-ums. I am bit all over. It was an uncomfortable night as the bug bites set in. There isn't enough cream in the world to ignore bug bites. I look like I have hives. 

Check out the ultralight that flew over the marina while we were relaxing!!

Friday night Charlie picked us up for dinner at R&R, one of his favorite restaurants on the Eastern Shore. He wanted crawdads but none available. So I had the red shrimp which come from about 1000 feet below the water. Delicious!! Actually I don't order this much but I am so glad I did. It was gross and messy but delicious. I particularly liked the really spicy butter that came on the side. 

Red Shrimp dinner at R&R Restaurant

Hard Rock Casino Biloxi MS

 Then we drove out to Biloxi. Kermit visited Biloxi after Hurricane Katrina. It was destroyed. Much has been rebuilt but he said the waterfront had old antebellum homes that were destroyed and not rebuilt. We saw a few homes, probably one every other block but mostly we saw open space where homes used to be. It is getting better but will never be the same.

Saturday 11/24 was a big football day. We watched Ohio State beat Michigan (YEAHH!) from the boat then picked up a rental car to join Charlie and Mary at Wings to watch Alabama destroy Auburn. It is fun when all your teams win!!


 Next up: A discussion of what is next and answer a few questions!