We left Pencola around 8 am after the fog had improved. As we were heading out of the bay to start up the ICW again, we received a phone call from our friend and buddy boat Kerm, his wife Chris had another flare up of shingles and they were at a local hospital so that it could be checked out. What a bummer for Chris!! Not knowing how long every thing would take we decided to continue on. We did speak with Kerm around noon and her shingles had flared again plus they were infected. Double bummer. They will stay at Pensacola today and hope to start back on the water in the am, depending how Chris is. We sure hope she is feeling better soon.
We had not gone too far this morning when were were hailed by Resolute a 24 foot Nimble Nomad from Boyne City Michigan. We had last seen Kathy and Charlie back in Kentucky, it was good to learn that they were headed in the same direction, so we traveled together for the remainder of the day. Also about the same time that Resolute hailed, our friends Mary and John ( “the fast ones “ ) from Mackinaw City hailed us as well. It was good to see them and chat with them for a few minutes before they sped by.
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| Not sure what this was, we think it was some sort of radar dome. |
The day ended around 2 pm at a free dock in Ft. Walton Beach. As we were chatting with Kathy and Charlie and trying to figure out how we could get to a West Marine a couple walked down the dock to look at the boats that had just came in. After chatting with them and explaining what we were in need of they very kindly offered to drive us to the West Marine that was a couple of miles away ( not the less than one mile as we had read in the guidebook.) They also drove us over the ICW to Destin which gave us a different perspective of the waterway that you see when you are on it. We are seeing lots of white sand beaches and palm trees. It is true that we have meet some of the nicest people along the way. Thank You Matt and Deanna we really appreciated it.
Monday
Started out this am shortly after the sun came up as we had 70 some miles to do to get to Panama City. We had to cross three bays to get to Panama City, the first one was over 25 miles. It was a perfect day, sunny in the 70’s and flat water. Resolute was behind us all day and we have been very entertained by the many porpoises as they like to swim along side of the boats. It was awesome and we really enjoyed the show! There was a river section of the ICW where the were no palm trees but lots of pine trees, it reminded us of northern Michigan. Also along that stretch we were passed by another boat from Michigan. So here we are in in a stretch of Florida that resembles northern Michigan with three boats from cities in northern Michigan; Mackinaw City, Bone City and Bay City. It truly is a small world at times.
We had reservations at the Panama City marina on the north side of the bay near down town. Resolute was headed to a marina along the south side of the bay in Panama City Beach. So in the middle of the last bay we parted company. Once we were tied up and washed the boat down we enjoyed a nice sunset as we are facing the ocean pass which is about 4 miles away.
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| The porpoises were quite a sight. |
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| This area of the ICW is called the "Grand Canyon" and it did look like a miniature Grand Canyon. |
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| Taken while sitting on the bridge. |
John & Mary
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