It seems like a year has gone by since I added info to this blog...
Wednesday the day started really early. We dropped Colby off at Pensacola Airport at 0510 for his 0630 departure to head back to James Madison. At that time of the morning there was a coat of heavy frost over the boats, docks and cars which made for very slippery conditions. And I thought we were getting away from winter by being on the coast of the Gulf of Mexico. The cold windy conditions move through this area in waves so we have to plan on moving along in short spurts. After returning the rental car we were able to be underway by 0750. Sea conditions kicked up a little once we were in Choctawhatchee Bay but we made our way to Bay Towne Marina and Resort in Sandestin, FL. But would you believe that while we were en route we were stopped by the Coast Guard again! This time I was able to pass the paperwork from the last boarding over to them which seemed to satisfy them. We retrieved the paperwork and were underway again. Bay Towne was quite a place - a miniature Disney world. That was one of the nicest stops we have made so far and we had a very relaxing evening. However, that was not going to last. Again the weather forecast was an issue and we were aware that we could only stay two nights because the marina was booked full for New Year's eve and the following days. So it was another early start on Thursday to attempt to be in the next port ASAP. We decided on Panama City.
After crossing the remainder of Choctawhatchee Bay and we and got back into 'the ditch'. At this point it was another change of scenery. When the Corps of Engineers dredged the channel years ago they dumped the spoils on either side of the ICW which created high berms which became overgrown so there was not much to see for miles and miles except for an occasional small flat bottom boat with die-hard fisherman and dolphins. I still can't figure out how the fishermen got there because there didn't appear to be any access points along the way. We were passed by several pleasure boats headed the other way - probably headed for Bay Towne!
We arrived at the Panama City City Marina where we tied off on a long dock just behind a great looking '48 Defever from Holland, MI crewed by two spry senior citizens. He is 80 years old! Another looper boat arrived just after us and tied off just behind us. We saw that boat earlier in the day as we crossed the bay. The couple is from Toronto, Canada and they are also doing the loop. After they arrived in Mobile, Al from the inland river system that is part of the Great Loop route, they turned west intending to go to South Padre Island, TX and the Mexican border. However, they ventured outside the ICW along the way and and went aground where waited five hours for a tow boat's assistance. They were then boarded by the Boarder Patrol and were advised against going farther south because of tension along the border. They decided to turn around and head east - after dark. They found an opening and turned in where they were able to tie off at a yacht club dock for the remainder of the night. Turns out they were in the same development where we bought our boat! Small world.
The Boat from MI decided to chance the weather and moved out yesterday. I would not have left the dock! We went out for a New Year's eve dinner with the couple from Toronto before coming back to the boat to watch to ball drop on TV. They are also world travelers and we traded off travel tales. The winds really picked up yesterday afternoon and although we are behind a seawall for protection from the wind Mother Nature decided to send the winds through the only opening in the seawall and we did some rocking and rolling at the dock. Today the forecast is for strong winds and thunderstorms. A good day to watch football games on TV. Before closing I have to say that Panama City is not somewhere you would you should plan on for vacation. The economy and storms and the BP spill has really hurt this area and there doesn't seem to be any recovery in sight. But that has been the case in most places along the Gulf. I'll be glad to move on.
We are feeling more and more comfortable with the boat. The last few days we have been experiencing a slight vibration while underway. We had a diver take a look at the bottom yesterday where he found a very slight ding on the prop and replaced two screws on the shaft zinc that were missing. I'm sure the loose zinc was the issue. We will know the next time we are underway.
Y'all stay vertical and have a Happy, prosperous, healthy and safe New Year.
Capt John and First Mate Sue
No one in their right mind should go near the Mexican border by land or sea, or Gulf in this case. And while being stopped so often to check your papers can be a pain, it is nice to know our tax dollars are hard at work.
ReplyDeleteI think what you are experiencing weather-wise is unusual this year. Friends who honeymooned at Cocoa Beach a few weeks ago expecting warm weather were very disappointed. Had to create their own body heat...know what I mean. :-)