This is my second attempt to post. My last, after two hours was lost to cyber space. Looks like we have a strong WIFY connection so here we go again.
After leaving Fair Hope Al. we headed for Florida but stopped at Bear Point Marina to keep the time on the water close to five hours. Not a bad marina but not close to anything. The had a restaurant at the dock which had pretty good food. The next two day we were fogged in.
This is what the weather looked like at Bear Point, so we stayed. Unfortunately, the restaurant was closed on Sunday but luckly the grill at the restaurant were serving hamburgers cooked on an outdoor grill. They also were giving away free HOMEMADE ice cream.
Another great sunset
The day mark leaving Alabama, HELLO Florida. The waters are now turning blue and clear. We are starting to see dolphins cruise with us, always a welcome sight.
Finally made it to Pensacola.
This is Cona standing with some of the statues at one of the main intersections in down town Pensacola. They had decorated pelicans in the military colors one for each branch of the services
Rudy chose to stand by the Coast Guard Pelican, wonder why?
One of the main reasons for stopping in Pensacola was to go to the National Naval Air Museum.
Cona posing in front of some retired Blue Angles aircraft.
This is a picture of the Steerman Dad taught cadets to fly during WWII.
Rudy getting ready to take an F-16 for a spin.
Picture of our Wheel (prop) after she was repaired and before putting back on Miss Ellen.
The light house on the Naval Base.
The front of the Museum. A great visit.
While there we found out that the Blue Angles practice every Monday and Tuesday and the public may attend. We didn't want to make the trip back to the base, but were able to see the entire show from the deck of our boat. What a show.
We also, were told of a great restaurant for steak. We had eaten sea food for the last three weeks and were ready for some beef. It was an Irish restaurant and was interesting place we were glad we visited. As you entered the restaurant there were several staplers on a table. Wondered why. After being seated we figured it out. The ceiling and a lot of the walls were covered with dollar bills (some with a message on them) stapled to the ceiling an walls. There was a sign that stated there were over a million dollar bills hanging. Hope they never have a fire.
Mom flirting with the enlisted.
When we left Pensacola we thought we would try Destin, hoping to be able to go to the beach and experience the sugar white sand. But all the marinas we had a list for either were full or out of business due to the hurricane. So onto the next destination, Panama City.
A bit of excitement. Clear sailing until we attempted to leave the West Bay Creek an enter the West Bay. We knew we had skinny water and were following the markers and chart plus right on line with the GPS. We began running out of water. Put Miss Ellen in idle, in and out of gear and looked for the channel. Nothing worked, and we grounded. Depth gauge said seven feet. Checked with gaff pole and found on the port side two feet, starboard 10 feet. Did what the book says, throw an anchor to keep from being pushed further on the bar. Called Sea-Tow. Boy am I glad to me a member. They responded and within one hour we were free and on our way.
Because grounding is not a pleasant experience and the channel was very narrow, I didn't want to end up on another sand bar before Sea-Tow was out of sight, so I asked if I could following him out to deep water. No problem. As Sea-Tow picked up speed I followed and was able to open Miss Ellen up. She seemed to enjoy running and showing her strength. 30 MPH and staying up with a 20 foot run-about, with two hugh Mercs.
Well, we couldn't make the beach in Pensacola due to distance, but finally made it to Panama City, Fl.
The weather was great, lot of sun and two great days enjoying the beach.
A restrauant we had eaten at 40 years ago while attending Florida State was Captain Anderson's. It is still in the same place. We were able to dock two blocks from the Gulf and less than a mile from the marina. Unfortunately you had to cross the bridge to get to the restaurant and the bridge was under construction and there were no walk ways. We had to take a taxi, and it was so good we went back the second night.
We had the best fresh (caught that day) snapper. Here is Rudy showing whats left.
After leaving Panama City, we headed for Apalachicola. To get to Apalachicola we were going to cross another bay with very shallow water on either side of the marked channel, I mean one foot. So rather than proceed with out local knowledge we took the side trip to Port St. Joe. This turned out to be a great choice. Got some local knowledge on the crossing and now preparing to depart after having lunch at the dock side grill.
Another sun set this one from Port St. Joe.
See you in Apalachicola
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