The waiting game

November 18,19,2015

Wednesday & Thursday 

Miles traveled-- only what we can walk to

Day 67 68

"The Crossing" from the pan handle to western shore of Florida will be our longest adventure. It can be as long as 24 hours and a LONG way from shore. There are several weather watching Aps and service to help predict sea conditions.. And when to travel at just the right time is key!! Calm seas ( less than 2 foot waves) is ideal.. And for the full 24 - 36 hours.. That doesn't happen just because we are ready,, some folks wait for weeks. And still get caught in some stink and get bounced around. We are safely tucked into a nice marina in Port St. Joe near Apolachcola. There are probably a dozen other boats also watching for that right "weather window"

It's been windy and rainy for the last couple of days.

During a break from rain or with an umbrella. We just need to get out and check out this town.

There is a walking trail connected to our marina.

Also piers along the Bay. A couple of crusty seadogs.

 Cards or a movie to help pass the day.

Mike had come to help with the crossing, but here we sit.. And it's uncertain how long we will sit. And sit. And sit.

Rain or no rain.. Who's up for walking into town for pizza at Joe Mama's.. What fun and yummy pizza. Loopers are a fun group.

Another day of rain and clouds.

Docktails with leftover pizza. Taco soup, Texas caviar, cheese and crackers.. And more loopers at the marina.. I would say we are close to full.

Trips to Piggly Wiggly and to the hair salon next door!! I got about 4-5 inches cut off. Feels good but I don't look any different.

Can't forget the walk to the Dollar General.. The highlight was all the monarch butterflies on the way there.

A quick stop at CVS.. My BP is just fine

After docktails, we were invited over to Act III for Keylime pie taste test.. They had three different pies from around the area. One was rated #1 by New York Times..it got the most votes from our group.

Fun and flavorful!!

Much of the conversation was about the weather window.. Still waiting until closer to Saturday to decide..

Panama City Beach to Port St Joe

November 17, 2015

Tuesday 

Miles Traveled-50

Total miles-1052

Day 66

The winds kicked up last night, but by morning, it wasn't too bad. So we pulled in our lines and left the marina before low tide. There are several areas they are quite shallow and we didn't want to get hung up. The temps were on the cool side at the early hour.

The Bay was fairly calm.

 Not sure what was burning.

Buster alerted us to our swimming escorts.

They are so cool to have travel along!

Mike at the inside helm.. Practicing for the overnight crossing. Buster as first mate... Chillin'

The Coast Guard passed us. I'm pretty sure they slowed down to check out Buster!

 This route had many sunken boats! Two here.

 Buster wanted to take his turn at the helm.. Captain Buster!

Here's another sunken boat

And another

 I'm guessing a big storm came through here.. I'm sure there are some stories.

 Now here's water front/ floating home. Nice washing machine on the porch.

 We made it to Port St Joe with winds out of the Southeast at 13 knots. The Marina was well protected from the incoming weather front. Nice place with a lot of amenities. Bar/restaurant with great views.

And we are running into fellow loopers.

It's Happy Hour.

And a plan for a storm.

Pet friendly!

Beautiful sunsets!

We all had our cameras ready

Great clouds over the marina.

Wow!!

Fun fun fun in PCB

November 14,15,16,2015

Saturday,Sunday,Monday 

Days 63 64 65

It's a weather watching thing.. While waiting for calmer seas we hung around Panama City Beach. The weather was perfect on shore.. Time to get to the stores for supplies. Home Depot, fresh Market, Publix and the Fish Market

We had a wonderful evening with Shelly and John. They made a most DELICIOUS dinner!! And we had a super time with them!! Also with Jake and Cody🐾

There was time to do a little boat cleaning and dinghy exploring

Buster making sure we do our jobs correctly.

 The Marina offered a " courtesy car" it was a gem, and a real head turner! It's a two seater for the three of us, rusted out like you would believe. No inside lights on dashboard and very noisy... But it got us around town so we were pleased to use it. 

Oh yeah, it had "roll up windows" no power steering and homemade door handles 

Parked next to us at the Marina was this large sailboat that took guests out for sunset cruises.. And we had some beautiful sunsets!  But it's time to get moving east. Tomorrow we plan to go to Port St Joe.. Hope the wind and waves are calm!

Short and sweet!

November 13,2015

Friday 

PCB

Day 62

Sadly, Lori could not stay very long. She and Macie (their pup) left early this morning for a long drive back to Charleston , SC. We look forward to a longer visit once we get to the Keys... And many more adventures once this young chick is retired.

Let me just say.. Panama City Beach has some of the prettiest beaches I have ever seen..

Over the years the mom and pop places have been replaced by high rises. I miss the small town charm it once had. It's sometimes referred to as "The Redneck Rivera" and during high season filled with an interesting mix of folks.

 Newly added about 8-9 years ago, are the shops and restaurants at Pier Park.

It also stages many events during the year. This weekend happens to be an enormous Car Show! So the three of us climbed into the courtesy truck that is so rusted out and requires a toggle switch to start this beast... But it got us from pointA to pointB so who's complaining!

Of all the cars... This was my favorite.. A 1930's Cadillac... Sweet! And quite drivable!

Yep, we're having a fun day!

 There's an amphitheater here, and tonight the Bellamy Brothers are playing!

Shelly Gorden Beard and her husband John now live in PCB and they too were at the car show. We all had lunch together at Magiritaville then took a walk along  the beach before going back to the car show..   What fun it was to spend our day together. Phil, Mike , Shelly and myself all went to high school together a few moons ago. What a blast to reconnect!!

 The boys!

Mike got to get his feet wet.

This show had some great variety of vehicle .. Some nicely restored..

Others kind of roached out yet fun.. The beer bottles lit up.

Evening entertainment..

The Bellamy Brothers.. Up close and Freezing cold.. A blanket would have been nice.. That cold front moved in when the sun went down.. But lots of fun anyway..   I did linger a little longer, after washing my hands in the lady's room,at the hand dryer..