On Thursday, June 25, Fred, Shelley and I threw our bags in the trunk and headed to Florida. We were finally on our way for the long awaited vacation we had been planning with Shelley, which had been put on hold during the previous three months because of the May storm and the mess it created, health issues, and various other reasons.
Our coastal destination: Cape San Blas on the Gulf coast in the lower Panhandle. We made Florida by about 6 p.m. and were greeted by a sudden rain shower that lasted just about as long as it took us to maneuver through a cloverleaf intersection. We found our way to Marianna, where we spent the night. Shortly before we got to Florida, we heard on the radio that pop singer, Michael Jackson had died earlier in the day and that actress Farrah Fawcett had also passed away that day.
The next day we drove on to Apalachicola where we stayed our second night before checking into our rental at Barrier Dunes on Cape San Blas, which is kind of a remote area from anywhere. As Barrier Dunes is a gated community on the Gulf, we were prepared with the code to get through the main gate but upon arriving at our rental unit, we had no code, and no clue what to do, as we had been warned that cell phones don't work in that area so calling was not an option. We tried using the Buick's OnStar system, which didn't work either. I was just hauling the computer out to see if I could get online to reach out for help when a young girl appeared, opened the door and went right in our unit! We jumped out and started ringing the door bell until she returned. She was helping her mother, who was in charge of the maintenance, and had come to help finish up getting the unit ready. Her mother appeared about that time and gave us the codes we needed. We learned later that an attachment to an e-mail we had received, which we had failed to open and read, gave all the necessary instructions we needed to get in the condo! Lesson learned...read all e-mails, including attachments. While the apartment was being finished up, we drove down the road to an ice cream parlor called Cone Heads and enjoyed a cold, refreshing cone.
We found our accommodations quite comfortable. On the main floor was a roomy living, dining and kitchen area with a balcony overlooking a tennis court and swimming pool, as well as a bathroom and bedroom with a small balcony and view of the Gulf, which Shelley claimed. Upstairs was a large master bedroom with a balcony overlooking the pool and tennis courts, walk-in closet, bath and laundry room. The apartment was nicely decorated with brightly colored furnishings that picked up a nautical theme throughout. We would be quite comfortable here and relaxation should not be a problem.
For six glorious days we enjoyed the Forgotten Coast,took one trip to Panama City, and soaked up all the sun we could before heading back to Illinois on Saturday, July 4th.
Boats off the Docks by Father's Day
What a Father's Day this year was. Having received notice from the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Department that all houseboats on H1 and H3 docks at Crab Orchard Lake Marina had to be moved to another area of the lake, anchored in open water or removed from the lake by June 21 (Father's Day), it was a day of back breaking labor. Instead of enjoying their boats with family and friends, the guys were up to their necks (literally sometimes in the water) all weekend trying to get all the boats moved from the damaged docks to different quarters. All day Saturday and all of Sunday morning was devoted to pulling boats out 
of the water, moving them to dry dock storage, and getting them blocked up. It was a good thing June 21 was the longest day of the year because every minute was needed to get the rest of the boats anchored off the North Shore of the Marina before sundown.
By sunset, 10 houseboats were tied together and securely anchored in the bay, most likely for the rest of the summer or until the docks are repaired or replaced. While the guys were breaking their backs taking care of the boats, the women were stuffing envelopes with letters to legislators asking for their support in securing funds to restore the docks and to support continued recreational use of the Lake.
of the water, moving them to dry dock storage, and getting them blocked up. It was a good thing June 21 was the longest day of the year because every minute was needed to get the rest of the boats anchored off the North Shore of the Marina before sundown.By sunset, 10 houseboats were tied together and securely anchored in the bay, most likely for the rest of the summer or until the docks are repaired or replaced. While the guys were breaking their backs taking care of the boats, the women were stuffing envelopes with letters to legislators asking for their support in securing funds to restore the docks and to support continued recreational use of the Lake.
Moore Family Reunion
The first weekend of June found us heading North for the William and Melissa Moore Family Reunion. The annual gathering of this family goes back as far as I can remember. I'm not certain, but dare to say, it probably officially got started when Mom and Pop Moore's 11 children and their families congregated to celebrate their parent's 50th wedding anniversary on May 17, 1952.
This year Darrel Moore, his wife Randi, and sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Noel Biery, served as hosts. Cousin Darrel invited us to gather at his farm, near Oakland, IL, the day before the reunion, to kick back and enjoy an afternoon and evening of visiting, story-telling, and of course eating. We arrived at his place, named the Walnut Grove Farm, early on and were soon joined by Jim Hartman, Sharon Ackerman, Joanne Klitzing, Mary Ann Craig, Ken and Dee Moore, the Andrew Moore Family-- Amber, Madilyn - and her little sister -- and Zack and Karen Moore. An open pit fire Darrel had burning served up hot dogs, a kettle of baked beans, and marshmallows toasted on Darrel's original toasting fork. Dee, Ken, Karen and Zach stayed the night in their camper and we (Fred, Shelley and I) were the over night guests of Darrel and Randi.
Sunday morning meant more visiting over coffee, donuts, and a delicious coffee cake made by Dee. By mid-morning we were packing up gear to head down the road to Walnut Point State Park where the reunion was being held. The warm, mild weather made for a great day for picnicking in the open pavilion along side the quiet fishing lake. Soon family began to arrive for the pot-luck dinner. Pork tenderloin and chicken were provided and cooked by Dan Wood and Jim Hartman. Ken Moore gave Grace before dinner and a business meeting, conducted by Darrel Moore, followed dinner. Amy Marshall Paris volunteered to host next year's reunion.
Winners of the guessing games were announced and prizes awarded. Next the children played the game of breaking the Pinata, with Chuck Parker manning the rope that swung the Pinata. Then the Famous Moore Cake Walk was enjoyed by all. Jelly Bean, the parrot, also attended and fascinated the children with his colorful feathers...and talking skill.
Special guest was Zora Moore, who was celebrating her 94th birthday. A birthday cake was presented to her and the family joined in singing Happy Birthday.
The first weekend of June found us heading North for the William and Melissa Moore Family Reunion. The annual gathering of this family goes back as far as I can remember. I'm not certain, but dare to say, it probably officially got started when Mom and Pop Moore's 11 children and their families congregated to celebrate their parent's 50th wedding anniversary on May 17, 1952.
This year Darrel Moore, his wife Randi, and sister and brother-in-law, Shirley and Noel Biery, served as hosts. Cousin Darrel invited us to gather at his farm, near Oakland, IL, the day before the reunion, to kick back and enjoy an afternoon and evening of visiting, story-telling, and of course eating. We arrived at his place, named the Walnut Grove Farm, early on and were soon joined by Jim Hartman, Sharon Ackerman, Joanne Klitzing, Mary Ann Craig, Ken and Dee Moore, the Andrew Moore Family-- Amber, Madilyn - and her little sister -- and Zack and Karen Moore. An open pit fire Darrel had burning served up hot dogs, a kettle of baked beans, and marshmallows toasted on Darrel's original toasting fork. Dee, Ken, Karen and Zach stayed the night in their camper and we (Fred, Shelley and I) were the over night guests of Darrel and Randi.
Sunday morning meant more visiting over coffee, donuts, and a delicious coffee cake made by Dee. By mid-morning we were packing up gear to head down the road to Walnut Point State Park where the reunion was being held. The warm, mild weather made for a great day for picnicking in the open pavilion along side the quiet fishing lake. Soon family began to arrive for the pot-luck dinner. Pork tenderloin and chicken were provided and cooked by Dan Wood and Jim Hartman. Ken Moore gave Grace before dinner and a business meeting, conducted by Darrel Moore, followed dinner. Amy Marshall Paris volunteered to host next year's reunion.
Winners of the guessing games were announced and prizes awarded. Next the children played the game of breaking the Pinata, with Chuck Parker manning the rope that swung the Pinata. Then the Famous Moore Cake Walk was enjoyed by all. Jelly Bean, the parrot, also attended and fascinated the children with his colorful feathers...and talking skill.
Special guest was Zora Moore, who was celebrating her 94th birthday. A birthday cake was presented to her and the family joined in singing Happy Birthday.
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