Hello from Bayou Chico, FL

[oldcal46skipper]

This looks like a great forum. I don't know why it took me so long to find it. We must have some cruisers we have met along the way that are regulars.
I have been sailing since the summer of 1960, Star boat ride in Newport Beach, CA and I was/am hooked. After serving in the USMC I settled in SoCal and a career in the fire service. I sailed often, working my up from a Sabot, AquaCat, Columbia 22, Cal 25,(National Champ in 1973), Columbia 36, then our Cal Cruising 46, hull # 3 in 1982. Yes, we have had the same boat 28 years and still have not seen one we would prefer.

I raced, day sailed, some short cruises to the Baja, then we retired in 1988. My wife, Bobbie, (AKA Barbara), and I sailed away on our life's dream, May '88 until Jan. '90 in the Sea of Cortez and west coast of Mexico, still the best. We enjoyed Costa Rica for 3 months, then the Pacific side of Panama was great also. May '90 transited the Panama Canal and then non-stop to Mobile, AL and up the Tenn-Tom Waterway 390 miles to my place of origin, Itawamba County, MS, where we left Satori and drove back to Sonoma County to help a friend with his vinyard and winery. We came back down the Tenn-Tom in Feb. '92 and found Bayou Chico, near Pensacola, FL where some other cruiser friends had lodged.

We did the Bahamas that winter, then back to the bayou to replace our steel fuel tanks. Satori is a fast racing sloop, sportfisher, "Motor Sailer", and a wonderful home. Since we have sailed a lot, when the wind lays down, we can use our 400 gallons of diesel fuel to get to the next adventure. Early in '93 we sailed south and east, through the Bahamas, then on to Puerto Rico and on down ther islands. We enjoyed St. Maartens, Grenada, Trinidad and Venezuela, (before Chavez). We stayed in Puerta La Cruz, VZ for almost a year, then to Trinidad to participate in Carnival '95. We delivered two boats back to FL during this time,, but mostly just hung out with cruiser friends - LOVING each minute.

We got back to Pensacola in May '95, participated in the Olympics sailing race committee and two hurricanes. In '96 we found a small home with a dock on the bayou that would handle our 5.5' draft, which we bought and rented to Naval Aviator trainees. So we lived aboard at our own dock and cruised each winter, Bahamas, Cuba, New Orleans, Chesapeake Bay in 2001. We had planned on another circuit of the Caribbean in 2003, but family responsibilities kept us back on the bayou. Now those burdens have been lifted, we were ready to cruise again, but I had to get a hip replacement, then infection, then overdosed on antibiotics and almost lost it. I am learning to cope with no balance and other issues, so hope to cruise again.

Any of you passing through the "Redneck Riveria", give us a call or e mail and stop by. We will make room at our dock, plus we have a small guest cottage. We hope to be able to share our experiences and howwedidit.
Tom and Bobbie Vandiver

[flashmutt007]

Wow! That was a great bio. Welcome to the forum. Enjoy and good luck.

[GordMay]

Greetings and welcome aboard the CF, Tom & Bobbie.

I can only reiterate Bill’s comment - WOW!

[iSaint]

I'm from Columbus, MS, so I've been through your hometown many times! Welcome!

[sailorgal]

Bayou Chico!!!???

Hey, that bayou was frozen a couple of weeks ago. I know this because we are at Palm Harbor marina! Have been here a couple of months refitting the boat and getting ready to go. We were at Santa Rosa Yacht club over near the beach for about a year before that.

I've lived in the Pensacola area off and on since 1987.

Maybe we can meet up and hear more about your great adventures.

Cheers and welcome to CF

[swagman]

G'Day guys and welome,
Hope the health issues get sorted and you get away yet again.
Sail safe.
JOHN

[outrigger]

I live in Gulf Breeze across the bay. Whould love to get with you for some good adventure stories. I have not sailed since I was a teen but have been looking for a live aboard for 8 months. Can't seem to find a style I like. Found one but missed it two months ago.

James

[oldcal46skipper]

Thank you for your wonderful welcome. We have found cruisers to be like that!
Locals, please give us a call and let's get together.
Tom 850 572 1225
Bobbie 850 572 5535
We are on the NW arm of Bayou Chico, call for address.

[SkiprJohn]

Aloha and welcome aboard!
Looks like you're going to make some great contacts from the forum.
regards,

[babykinz]

Ahoy!

Great Bio!

We live on the Bayou as well, staying at Pelicans Perch for the time being.

I am out kayaking around the bayou a lot during the warmer weather!

My dream would be to have a small house with its own dock, I would live at the dock in a boat, let some land lubber live in the house....but have laundry room access.