Our crossing was good, and we made it into an anchorage in Apalachicola mid-afternoon. We anchored here on our return two years ago, but didn't go into town. This time we went into Scipio Creek Marina for the second night, and headed into what turns out to be a charming town. There are lots of kitschy shops, as in any renovated/restored town, but also lots of history and interesting places. We've sampled the local seafood, and had a wonderful Thanksgiving dinner at Caroline's on the river (scallops over grits and crayfish tails over eggplant!! -- Jay got his oysters Friday at Papa Joe's at the marina). We took the historic walking trail on Thanksgiving day and were graciously invited into a beautiful inn (Coombs House) which has been restored from its construction in 1905. Almost all of the homes and businesses are original structures (renovated somewhat, of course), and it's a nice town to stroll around. Santa Claus arrived on a shrimp boat today (Friday), the huge tree lighting was at the city dock (we're trying to hit one each week till Christmas), a tree festival was in an old museum and an open house was in another. The town was lit up with decorations and luminaries, musicians were playing randomly on corners, and carolers were strolling all over town. Our pictures were too dark to do the lights or tree justice (may have to break down and read those camera directions after all). That's the recreation before we leave early tomorrow morning for another offshore overnight crossing to Clearwater before bad weather hits again Sunday night.
