A Hitch In Our Plans
When we last left you, about a week ago, we were waiting on a package to be shipped to Crystal River so that we could continue the journey north. However, I received a call from my mom on May 1st with some bad health-related news that has resulted in my having to unexpectedly go back to Missouri. Todd is taking me to St. Petersburg tomorrow (May 6th) and I will fly back to Missouri for at least a few weeks which will leave Todd short-handed on the boat.

Todd called our good friend Everett Hayes in Springfield, Missouri, and asked him to fly in to St. Petersburg and come to Crystal River to assist Todd as he makes the Gulf crossing and takes the boat north to Demopolis, AL where they will rent a car and drive back to Missouri.  Everett readily agreed to help us out and is scheduled to arrive in St. Petersburg late Sunday evening.

I should note that Bob & Phillis, our friends in Crystal River, have graciously offered the use of their car to get us to St. Petersburg and back, and our good friend Cathy in St. Petersburg is allowing both Todd & Everett to spend the night Sunday evening at her beautiful home before making the return trip to Crystal River. We also received a call from our wonderful friends, Chuck & Jan, on "Miss Pipp" offering to fly to Florida and move the boat from Crystal River to Demopolis for us. What amazing friends we have made on the water!

Mike & Mary left us on April 30th and traveled to Steinhatchee on May 1st. They then made the Gulf crossing in virtually flat seas on May 2nd. At this point, the weather doesn't look good for Todd & Everett to make the Gulf crossing until mid-week at best, but hopefully the seas will calm down before then and they can continue the journey in my absence. At any rate, they will make the crossing as soon as they are able to do so without too much turbulence and work their way along the Gulf coast and then north to Demopolis.

Depending on the situation with my mom's health, we may be in Missouri for a while or we may head back to Demopolis to continue our trip north on the Tenn-Ton toward Pickwick Lake. At this time, however, we do not know what our plans are but we will update the blog again as soon as our situation allows. In the meantime, your thoughts and prayers are appreciated as we deal with this family crisis.