Wednesday October 12: Panama City, FL

Since leaving Fairhope on Sunday we continue to move east along the panhandle of Florida. Once off of Mobile Bay, we now are in the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway.

Travel is a combination of very protected waters and small and large sounds and bays.

Some areas of are very reminiscent of Georgia marshes.




We passed Lulu's - a restaurant turned tourist trap that was started and is still owned by Jimmy Buffets's sister. Passed it by this year - as we did last time.

We were probably more likely to stop at the next place: Tacky Jacks :-)




It was a 6 hour 45 mile day to a marina in Orange Beach - very good travel day but it is still quite warm by the time afternoon arrives. The marina here must have had 50 huge sportfish boats (an inlet to the Gulf is very close).

And it wasn't long on Monday before we finally arrived in Florida!! Getting closer to being back home :-)

Even though I'm really not quite sure where that is anymore :-)

The outer islands between the Gulf and the ICW are really wonderful. Beautiful white, white sand.

Definitely reminiscent of the Bahamas.









We also passed Fort Morgan - never knew anything about this fort. Kinda of like many of the other forts we've seen over the years :-) Seen one - seen them all!

But if you want to some info about the history of Fort Morgan, click here.


We found a nice anchorage in Santa Rosa Sound which again worked out great. Light wind from the east- no boats going by - perfect!



Plus a great sunrise (taken by Steve of course!).

Tuesday was another 6 hour 46 mile day to an anchorage in the Choctawhatchee Bay.

We're still passing along the barrier islands with their white sands and sand dunes.





Much of these barrier islands are a part of the Gulf Islands National Seashore and as such are very natural with no tall condos or anything else. Other parts are government lands - not sure but think these must be Air Force areas.

Regardless this is a cool structure!!







And guess who's back? Our favorites - the dolphins!!!

The canal on the way to Panama City (where we are staying tonight) was very much like being on the rivers - easy travel, wind no issue - except the sides are all sand dunes!

Very enjoyable!











Tomorrow we head for Apalachicola and the land of oysters! Long day and we lose an hour as we reenter the eastern time zone. Steve has already set the clocks ahead :-)