Cruising cats: hanging out on the anchor

Today we left the marina at Orange Beach, Alabama and now are at anchor near
Fort Walton Beach, Florida. We passed islands with snow white beaches and
the water is becoming more and more clear.
Now, we are at anchor by a barrier island. From up on our fly bridge we can
glimpse the water of the Gulf of Mexico on the other side.
When we had set the anchor, we left the doors opened and Rosie and Cinder
had free reign of the boat, including the outside decks, for the first time
on this trip.
They were reluctant at first and cautiously stepped out. Once outside, they
sniffed everything and tried out several good napping and observation spots.
Both voluntarily came in at dusk after enjoying the fresh air and view.
Rosie asked that I tell Cap'n Pine Cone that she will volunteer to teleport
to demonstrate to his inventory officer how to open boat cabinets.
Annie, crew for Rosie & Cinder

Bill Stock...

Good to hear from the cruising kitties again. I was just thinking the other
day that we hadn't heard from them in a while. I guess we can't get pictures
of these adventures?

Annie Wxill...

Hi Bill,
I'm taking photos, but don't know how to post them for people to see. I'm
hoping to do a Web site, but, believe it or not, haven't had time to figure
out how to do that, either.

It's next to impossible to get a photo of Cinder. First, she is black.
Second, she is camera shy. All I have to do is get the camera out, and
she's gone.

Annie, crew for Rosie & Cinder

Christine K....

How about posting photos on Webshots, until you work out your own web
site thingy?

Adrian A...

I'm so glad you decided to take the cats with you. I'm really enjoying your
posts and it's good to know the captains are happy.

Monique Y. Mudama...

Sounds lovely!

Karen...

Sounds lovely!

Tanada...

For crying out loud, don't do it, Rosie.

Pam S. scared of the chaos that would happen if they learned that.

Come on over Rosie. The fat wench has everything closed up.

Victor Martinez...

You need cabinet doors open? Why didn't you say so before. I have a
Master's Degree on opening doors!

Cap'n Pine Cone esq.

Annie Wxill...

Keeping the crew in line here is a full-time job for Cinder and me, and the
crew keeps a close eye on our whereabouts, but I could slip out when the
crew is asleep.
Just send a message via the Mothership to let me know when you'd be ready.
Opening the cupboards is like a gravity test. The hoomins don't always
appreciate our efforts, but it's necessary to keep the crew and non-boating
slaves alert and the quarters in shipshape.
Rosie, co-captain of Genesis

Me too, me too. Rosie thinks she's so smart opening the cabinets, but I'm
the one who can use the litter box for both functions, cover up nicely, step
out and throw up into a towel provided by a crew member with the boat
rocking and rolling the whole time.
I could conduct a balance drill.
Cinder, co-captain of Genesis

Pam,
We are looking forward to meeting you and Rob and whoever else you bring
along in person when we get in your neighborhood.
Annie, crew for Rosie & Cinder

Tanada...

Way Kewl! Just give us a smidge of warning if possible. We'll do our
best to be there. The cats don't need help to open the cupboards,
though a balance drill could help some of them. before he can arrange a meeting for cupboard opening lessons>

Pam S.

Annie Wxill...

I think we may be too late. Shortly after the post she dictated to me,
Rosie was briefly missing. She turned up in the head (boatspeak for
bathroom) and had shredded the roll of toilet paper. She had never done
this before, so I suspect someone on the mouser cruise was exchanging
information with her.
We are now at anchor on Florida's west coast (just out of Tarpon Springs),
having arrived this morning after 30 non-stop cruising hours.
I'll post a cruising cats update as soon as I recover.
Annie, crew for Rosie and Cinder

ladyjane...

Do you think you'll make it up as far as Washington DC? We could have
a party!!

Jane
- owned and operated by Princess Rita

Annie Wxill...

Jane,
We will be in the area, but may not have time to go that far up the river
unless we change our plans and spend the summer on the East Coast this year.
Our current plans take us on up to N.Y. and through the canal system and on
up into Canada and the Great Lakes for summer. We expect to exit Lake
Michigan in September and take the Inland Waterway down to Mobile, Alabama.
Then, we will decide if we will do it again or if we will go back to Texas.
With fuel prices and marina fees going up so fast, we may not have a choice.
Our average speed is 7.5 mph. and we often get delays for weather, so it
takes us a long time to get anywhere. We try to make the ride as
comfortable as possible for us as well as for Rosie & Cinder. If we wait too
long to get into the Great Lakes, we may not be able to get out by
September.I'd love to meet as many of the group as possible, and a party in
D.C. would be great, but we'll have to see when we get closer to that part
of the country.
Annie