Ready for the River

Bye Bye Florida

Hello Alabama.

Left Ft. Walton Beach just after sunrise for an easy run to Gulf Shores.  Started out with a military installation on the barrier island to port and grand estates to starboard.

 I picked up a family of Dolphins that played in my wake for a half mile.  Very entertaining.

Up ahead I saw a red American Tug.  It looked like it was coming toward me and I wondered if it was our Buddy Boat with Bud and Phil aboard.  It looked too big at first but then I realized it was anchored.

 Just as I went by and was looking in my binoculars Bud called me on the radio.  He offered to help me and Trick get the van up to Demopolis.  Talk about Southern Hospitality!!  I really hope that Melissa and I can connect with them next fall as I am sure the four of us would have a great time talking about our adventures.

I passed by Navarre Beach on the port side.  I had stopped there January of 2011 on the way back to Minnesota and then again in December on the way back down with Melissa, Rachael, and Jamie.  Sure is fun to see places from a different perspective.  It would be fun to anchor there sometime.

USCG towing USCG

As I entered Pensacola Harbor there was plenty of activity.  Planes all over the place.  Then I noticed some activity in the middle of the Harbor.  Bunch of boats running back and forth.  I looked through the binoculars and observed people parachuting into the water.  Turns out it was a training exercise and they were launching these guys/gals from the deck of a barge.  They were attached to a two line connected to the boats, the boats would tow them off the deck into the air, they would climb a hundred feet or two, then release the line and drop into the water.  Then the boats would go pick them up and bring them back to the barge.  It was a very busy operation.

I got to the fuel dock at Home Port Marina about 3 and Trick was waiting for me like always.  Fueled up and then tied up in the slip.  There are dolphins swimming around right here in the marina.  Very entertaining marina with a lot of activities.

Trick and I rented a car and ran the van up to Demopolis as we had just enough time to get up there and back before midnight. I am going to make a quick run to West Marina, study charts, take the rental car back and then head up river.  I may not have an internet connection as we venture north so it may be a few days before the next update.

Pensacola Harbor Lighthouse.

Take care everybody.  I will see all of you in Minnesota soon.