Apalachicola

57 low / 71 high

Wednesday was a rest day for us. Rinsed the boat off and went for a bike ride. We had lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants and started off with oysters again.

St. Andrews Marina

You've heard of food trucks, how about food boats. 

We left Panama City about 630 am for another 8 hour travel day. The weather again was beautiful. A long route through St. Andrews Bay and into another canal like area, Wetappo Creek and Lake Wimico. We crossed back into the eastern time zone by White City. Saw lots of dolphins again today. Docked comfortably at the Water Street Inn & Marina about 330 pm. Walked a block away to have dinner at Up The Creek Raw Bar. Of course oysters! We'll be here until Sunday morning when we head for Carrabelle to position for the crossing to Dunedin on Monday.

Sunrise in Apalachicola.

Panama City, fl.

45 low / 75 high

We pushed off yesterday morning at 630 am to another beautiful day. Joan arrived just after we backed out of the slip and waved us off. We crossed to 30 miles of Choctawhatchee Bay and entered the 16 miles land cut known as the Grand Canyon. Then down to Panama City and St. Andrews Marina. Diesel here is $3.27/gal with Boat US membership. Originally we were just going to stay 1 night as rain was forecast for Thursday but by the time we checked last night the rain had disappeared. After 8 hours yesterday we can use the lay day.

Our slip in the bayou between the 2 covered ones.

In the cut.

Fort Walton Beach, Destin & Seaside

45 low / 66 high

Another chilly day this morning. Larry picked us up about 800 am and we met Joan for breakfast. Afterwards Larry took us to the AF Armament Museum at Eglin AFB. It was very interesting to see all the aircraft and the missiles and bombs inside.

The bayou this morning.

Larry & Joan after breakfast.

 

The museum, P51.

SR 71

We returned to the boat and took Larry's loaner car and headed off for Destin & Seaside. It was a lovely drive along the beach. Seaside was a quaint and beautiful little community. On the way back we stopped for oysters in Destin. Tomorrow we head east to Panama City for a few days.

The cut to the left goes into the inlet with marinas in Destin.

Food strip in Seaside with small airstream trailers along the street.

Seaside

Marinas in Destin.

Sunset below the tree line.

Cinco Bayou, Fort Walton Beach

40 low / 66 high

Very cold yesterday morning but the winds had died enough to push on. We really enjoyed our time in Pensacola and our time with John & Sue. Back into the beautiful intercoastal with all the magnificent homes and the dolphins playing around the boat. Also not so good are the rude fast big power boats. The first one snuck up on us and I didn't see him until he was almost abeam us. I turned into his 4' wake as quick as I could and Ann sat down on the floor. We had tied all our doors & drawers closed and taken things off the counters just for things like this but it still threw stuff all over. He did that to at least the next 7 boats as we each called ahead to warn people. No response from him on the radio. The next was a big Sea Ray that I saw and asked him for a slow pass, no response. He kept coming so I didn't slow down not wanting to be caught to slow to turn into him. As he got alongside I thanked him on the radio and he pulled the power off and commented that I needed to slow so he could pass. I do 8 mph and he was doing at least 20 mph. Him slowing so close just amplified his wake. Again with Ann sitting on the floor stuff was tossed around. Larry & Joan Ropka, the builders of Charis were out on their beach waving to us as we passed. We arrived at the city dock and slipped in to pick Larry up so he could guide us here to his friends dock. As soon as we cleared the city dock I insisted that he take the helm. He hesitated a bit but finally stepped up, a bit teary eyed. He spent so many years bringing this dream to completion and now several more after parting with her wondering what shape she was in. He wasn't disappointed and gave us many thanks and praise for our care. Joan was the same as she looked Charis over in the Bayou. Someone even passed by in a boat as Larry was outside and yelled what a beautiful boat he had. You should have seen him beam. We then left with them for their house and dinner. Right on the intercoastal with a beautiful sunset. It was so good to sit and catch up the last few years of our lives. They gave us a car to use and we even found our way back to the boat.

Larry getting aboard at the city dock.

Charis in the Bayou.

Their back yard.

Sea wall and beach.

Sunset!

Pensacola day 8

45 low / 67 high

It was a cold windy morning when we awoke yesterday. The cold front that all our southern Florida friends are experiencing today came through with fury. It was the first day that our insurance company would allow us to travel farther due to hurricanes but we're glad we had a day of football planned with John & Sue. We started the day going to the farmers market but it was so cold we only saw a small part of it. Then back to Joe Patti's fish market. We had cleared out some freezer space so we decided to fill it back up and transport it home. Next to Lenscrafters to return my new glasses that were making me nauseous when I wore them. Then Publix for a few last minute things. Dropped everything back on the boat and headed for John & Sue's. John was making Creole Redfish Court-boullon for our early dinner. It was fantastic! Over our 2 months traveling together we took turns cooking dinners and I hope they enjoyed ours as much as we enjoyed theirs. Then the football game : Florida actually beat Georgia! They looked like a different team. Afterwards we finally got to toast them on becoming gold loopers, meaning they crossed the place were they started and have now completed the loop. Then the sad part of the day in having to say goodbye again. We are blessed to have met them and become close to them. They will truly be lifelong friends and we can't wait to see them again.

The BMW they lent us.

The chef at work!

John, Eula - his mom & Sue

To the gold loopers! Congratulations!

Pensacola days 5,6 &7

70 low / 78 high

Wednesday we all went to the Naval Aviation Museum at Pensacola NAS. It was a very fascinating place with hundreds of aircraft on display.

Ann suited up ready for takeoff!

First transatlantic crossing!

The highlight was finding out the Blue Angels were going to practice that day just a short walk from the museum and 10 minutes after we left. I had seen them many years ago and am still very impressed by their precision flying. They even scared us once when one came at treetop level from behind us with a roar.

Next we headed for the Oarhouse for lunch. There are so many waterfront places in this area unlike ours. It seems most of our spots were sold out so condos could be built. It was a fun spot and as always a wacky theme. The guy that owns it also owns our marina.

Later, a must stop.

Thursday I flew home for a doctors appointment and Ann went shopping with Sue. She introduced her to many friends and new shops. Friday I flew back and Ann and I went to Joe Patti's fish market. It's has to be the largest one I've ever been in. There were many types of fish that I didn't even recognize. We just walked around and enjoyed and wished we had something similar near us.

Last night was dinner at The Fish House. I had bacon wrapped shrimp stuffed with crabmeat and Ann had the house specialty, shrimp and grits Ya Ya. John and Sue know the manager so we enjoyed talking with him.