Ft. Walton Beach

I had a good night sleep and got up just before sunrise to start out the day.  This was a short trip today from Panama City to Ft. Walton Beach.  I have to plan stops based on marinas or anchorages.  With Trick driving the van we are meeting at marinas and so I plan the stops based on reasonable mileage for the day.

Today was pretty uneventful.  Motored 12 nautical miles through West bay, then 16 miles of transit through a land cut known to some as the "Grand Canyon" because of the high banks of trees and sand with absolutely no sign of life.

It was straighter and wider than the creeks yesterday and there were no debris to contend with.

I started the day off with a sweatshirt as it was a little chilly.  I decided to take the Bimini down to let the sun warm things up.  Finally I felt like I was still in Florida.

Choctawhatchee Bay was next.

 30 Nautical miles to Ft. Walton Beach.  Most of it was so calm the water was like glass.

 I came across 4 police boats that included some divers.

I don't know if was a search and rescue operation or a training exercise.

I got so bored crossing the smooth water I pulled out a book to read.  Then I got so distracted I ended up going to the wrong marina.  I was looking for Ft. Walton Beach Yacht Basin and found myself at Ft. Walton Beach Yacht Club.  Opps!

When I got to the marina Trick was waiting for me on the dock.  I tried to get into the slip without him on board but the wind and current was just too strong.  After two failed attempts to get into the slip I motored up to the fuel dock and he came aboard.  Then I pulled along a piling and Trick cleated a line on the piling and I pivoted off of it to turn into the slip.  It worked out really well and was kind of proud of my accomplishment.  I had observed this maneuver before but never pulled it off myself.

The Crab Shack Restaurant is right at the end of the dock we are at so we walked over for some shrimp and crab cakes.


Tomorrow will be a longer run with the plan to get to Mobile harbor. Friday we will move the van north to Demopolis.  Saturday and Sunday we will motor up there.  Hopefully we can start back to Minnesota on Monday, Tuesday latest.  That is all depending on weather and so far so good but that can change.