My niece, Miriam, had recommended a book and yarn store, so we checked that out, too. Cute place, one of many in Apalachicola.
Thursday, December 22, 2016
Saturday, December 10
Another cold morning (54 in our cabin)! We wore jeans and sweatshirts for the second day! We plan to leave for Carabelle tomorrow, so we took the dinghy to town for one more meal of Appalachia oysters.
Several fellow boaters had recommended Hole in the Wall, and told us to tell Barbara that they sent us. It was a tiny place, and very crowded. We stood in the door a while, then left to walk around a little bit. Second try, still jammed. One lady motioned me over and invited us to take the two remaining seats at their table. She and her husband were from Scotland and had a wonderful accent! Oh, and Barbara gave us a hard time as we had been warned.
My niece, Miriam, had recommended a book and yarn store, so we checked that out, too. Cute place, one of many in Apalachicola.
My niece, Miriam, had recommended a book and yarn store, so we checked that out, too. Cute place, one of many in Apalachicola.
Monday, December 12, 2016
Friday, December 9
Apalachicola oysters were awaiting, so we decided to take the dinghy into town for lunch. Now about dinghying - when we tried out the dinghy, I fell out pulling into shore. So far on the loop, we had used it twice, both for short distances and in very calm water. Even then, I was nervous. Today the water was NOT calm, and the motor cut off repeatedly as we left the boat. I had an attack of "dinghy anxiety." I am not afraid of water or boats, but I am afraid of turning the dinghy over while getting in and out. And of falling out of the dinghy. It seemed like a mighty long ride to the dinghy dock at the town wall. Thanks to Danny's wonderful skills as a captain, and his constant reassurances, I made it with a few shudders and an almost-tear.
UIKEYNPUTThe return trip was much better. Getting onto the boat I stepped onto the second step on the ladder and soaked my tennis shoes, but I was so relieved I didn't even mind!
Our gourmet dinner was frozen pizza. Since the freezer is so small, I had taken it out of the cardboard, so it looked pretty funny going into the oven.
Thursday, December 8 - On to Apalachicola
The weather looked pretty good, and we were tired of paying slip fees and going nowhere, so we headed out of Port St. Joe, back through the cut towards the GICWW. This picture shows the bridge connecting Mexico Beach and Port St. Joe, we went under it to enter "the cut."
Everybody calls it "the cut" and it really is a canal cut through from St. Joseph Bay and the Gulf to the GICWW. Not very scenic, but it works. There were a few abandoned boats, but nothing much else.
This section of the waterway has lots of sand. LOTS of sand! It even shows up on our GPS map. I knew Florida was sandy, of course, but this is a LOT of sand.
The GICWW took us through Lake Wimico, a huge lake that I had never heard of. Nothing on any of the banks, no boats, just a big body of water.
Next stop was Apalachicola. Of course we had heard about their famous oysters, so were anxious to stop and tour (eat) a bit. We tried to pull in a marina where friends had stayed earlier, but the wind was pretty stiff and the marina didn't send anyone down to hep us with lines, so we pulled across the river and into an anchorage area with five other boats. It was scenic and peaceful, what more could we ask?
Everybody calls it "the cut" and it really is a canal cut through from St. Joseph Bay and the Gulf to the GICWW. Not very scenic, but it works. There were a few abandoned boats, but nothing much else.
This section of the waterway has lots of sand. LOTS of sand! It even shows up on our GPS map. I knew Florida was sandy, of course, but this is a LOT of sand.
The GICWW took us through Lake Wimico, a huge lake that I had never heard of. Nothing on any of the banks, no boats, just a big body of water.
Next stop was Apalachicola. Of course we had heard about their famous oysters, so were anxious to stop and tour (eat) a bit. We tried to pull in a marina where friends had stayed earlier, but the wind was pretty stiff and the marina didn't send anyone down to hep us with lines, so we pulled across the river and into an anchorage area with five other boats. It was scenic and peaceful, what more could we ask?
Wednesday, December 7 - STILL in Port St Joe
We spent most of the morning debating whether or not to leave, finally deciding to stay one more day. We love this marina and we are protected from most winds, but we've been here seven days and seen everything we can walk to, and Apalachicola has a place to anchor out that's free!
The grouper fingers at the harbor marina are really good, so we decided to eat them again before leaving. I saw this sign there and just had to take a picture. I love funky signs!
There was a knock on the boat that afternoon. Jeff and Joy, on Tidings of Joy, had pulled into the marina and were on their way to the office to check in. We had met them at Joe Wheeler State Park at the Rendezvous and enjoyed them so much, so we were delighted to see them again. Naturally, we decided to have docktails later in the afternoon. We started on our boat, then moved to their beautiful boat.
It was a nice way to end our stay in Port St. Joe. On into the wind and waves tomorrow!
Thursday, December 8, 2016
Tuesday, December 6 - Still at Port St. Joe
It's a good thing we like marina life! We have spent way more nights in marinas than we had anticipated. Three delays for boat repair and maintenance, three long delays for rough weather.
Another rainy, breezy day. Actually, it's way more than breezy! We had some rough waves at Panama City, but I think these top them!
Subway tuna salad was calling Danny's name, so we walked over for lunch, picked up Danny's beer at Haughty Heron
and came back to do laundry. One washer and one dryer, but we didn't have too many dirty clothes, thank goodness.
We spent another quiet night studying charts and maps..
And the sunsets continue to be spectacular!
Another rainy, breezy day. Actually, it's way more than breezy! We had some rough waves at Panama City, but I think these top them!
Subway tuna salad was calling Danny's name, so we walked over for lunch, picked up Danny's beer at Haughty Heron
and came back to do laundry. One washer and one dryer, but we didn't have too many dirty clothes, thank goodness.
We spent another quiet night studying charts and maps..
And the sunsets continue to be spectacular!
Monday, December 5
The water gets rougher every day! The Cruisers Association has a Weather Wag that provides information about wind, wave height, etc, and it is advising Loopers to wait until next Monday or Tuesday to cross the Gulf to Steinhatchee or Tarpon Springs. It is a good thing we have developed sea legs, because the boat is never still!
We walked the four-block downtown today, peeking in stores. Monday is not the best day for small town looking, many businesses were closed. We stopped at one last package store, Peculiar Pelican, to look for Old Milwaukee's Best Light, and the owner offered to order some from his distributor. Danny was a happy man!
We walked the four-block downtown today, peeking in stores. Monday is not the best day for small town looking, many businesses were closed. We stopped at one last package store, Peculiar Pelican, to look for Old Milwaukee's Best Light, and the owner offered to order some from his distributor. Danny was a happy man!
Wednesday, December 7, 2016
Sunday, December 4 - Jack Megahee Visits
Jack Megahee, Danny's ex-brother-in-law, called last night. He had received Danny's email update, then called Brad, his son, to get our phone number. He lives in Thomasville, GA, which is 2 1/2 hours away, but has a condo in Mexico Beach, and offered to come down and cook us dinner!
So today, we read the paper, drank coffee, and waited for Jack. He ate lunch with us on the boat, we visited a while, then we rode with him to Mexico Beach. The Filet he cooked was incredible! I will attach pictures so everyone will be jealous.
The last two occasions we were together were funerals, so it was great to have time for a leisurely visit and catch up on the families.
The wind was very strong all day, we may be here for a while!
So today, we read the paper, drank coffee, and waited for Jack. He ate lunch with us on the boat, we visited a while, then we rode with him to Mexico Beach. The Filet he cooked was incredible! I will attach pictures so everyone will be jealous.
The last two occasions we were together were funerals, so it was great to have time for a leisurely visit and catch up on the families.
The wind was very strong all day, we may be here for a while!
Saturday, December 3 - Port St. Joe
On the way back to the boat we saw a boat in the early stages of preparation for a Christmas parade. We have seen flyers for lighted boat parades in every harbor, but haven't been in the right place at the right time to see one yet.
Also in the parking lot was a Chili Cook-off with live music. We didn't buy samples, but could hear the music from our boat all day.
Lynn had told us to be sure and try the grouper fingers at the marina restaurant, so we went there for lunch. I talked Danny into ordering cheese curds, and everything was very good!
We had watched fishermen on the jetty in front of us every day. The weather was so pretty we decided to walk over and see what they were catching.
We had hoped to watch Alabama and Florida in the SEC Championship game, but we still can't get "local" channels on our TV, and the ones at the marina bar didn't have sound. We ended up watching watching the pregame show on the SEC network, then whatever games were on ESPN. We really need to get this TV thing worked before bowl season!
Two months ago today What an incredible two months it has been.
Friday, December 2 - Lynn Hardin Visits
What a wonderful day! My high school friend, Lynn Hardin Thompson, drove down from Tallahassee to see us. We had hoped to meet her for Thanksgiving, but windy weather and boat repairs held us up.
Lynn's sister-in-law has a house in Mexico Beach, so we headed there to drop off her stuff and see the town. On the way, we stopped for breakfast. (What a surprise!) There are no chain restaurants in Mexico Beach, at least I didn't see any, so we ate at a local restaurant. I tried Country Fried Steak and Eggs which was surprisingly good. Next we toured the Beach House. When it was built, there were two houses between it and the shoreline, now it's on the beach!
As usual when we have visitors, we take advantage of their car! Lynn was kind enough to take us several places as we searched for a small Christmas tree for the boat and Danny's favorite beer. She also introduced us to Bluewater Outriggers, an incredible store. The salesman there convinced Danny that he needed a new fishing lure. Look at the size of that thing! It should attract some whoppers.
No tree at Dollar General or CVS, so we headed "downtown" where there are a lot of interesting stores. And one antique mall had the perfect tree!
Next on the tour was Cape San Blas and Indian Pass. Beautiful drive, and great oysters at Indian Pass Trading Post.
It We enjoyed the visit with Lynn so much! It's always a delight to spend time with her.
Lynn's sister-in-law has a house in Mexico Beach, so we headed there to drop off her stuff and see the town. On the way, we stopped for breakfast. (What a surprise!) There are no chain restaurants in Mexico Beach, at least I didn't see any, so we ate at a local restaurant. I tried Country Fried Steak and Eggs which was surprisingly good. Next we toured the Beach House. When it was built, there were two houses between it and the shoreline, now it's on the beach!
As usual when we have visitors, we take advantage of their car! Lynn was kind enough to take us several places as we searched for a small Christmas tree for the boat and Danny's favorite beer. She also introduced us to Bluewater Outriggers, an incredible store. The salesman there convinced Danny that he needed a new fishing lure. Look at the size of that thing! It should attract some whoppers.
No tree at Dollar General or CVS, so we headed "downtown" where there are a lot of interesting stores. And one antique mall had the perfect tree!
Next on the tour was Cape San Blas and Indian Pass. Beautiful drive, and great oysters at Indian Pass Trading Post.
It We enjoyed the visit with Lynn so much! It's always a delight to spend time with her.
Friday, December 2, 2016
Thursday, December 1 - Panama City to Port Saint Joe
Calmest (is that a word?) morning since we have been here! Three Looper boats left about the same time, all of us headed for Port Saint Joe. As always, I have thoroughly enjoyed our time at the marina, but am glad to be on our way to new adventures.
I'm not sure what I had expected on this section of the GICWW, but I was surprised. Large bays, narrow channels, lots of pine trees, little wildlife, beautiful scenery.
We pulled into Port Saint Joe Marina about 4:00 and were assigned a slip backed up to our Looper friends from Panama City, Laura and Artie. Sam and Mary Beth pulled in after us but are on the next dock over.
I'm not sure what I had expected on this section of the GICWW, but I was surprised. Large bays, narrow channels, lots of pine trees, little wildlife, beautiful scenery.
Wednesday, November 30 - Laundry and Oysters
We HAD to do laundry today! Thank goodness Panama City Marina had a laundry room with 3 washers and 3 dryers, so it didn't take all day, just all morning. The laundry room was connected to the office, so there was coffee, tables to work on, and great views out two sides!
I am posting a picture of the laundry room since so many people had questions about our clean clothes on the trip.
We have seen better laundry rooms, and we have seen worse! Usually there is someone to talk to, and something going on in the office, and a lending library!
As we left the office, it was very windy, and I noticed all the seagulls in the parking lot facing exactly the same direction. Do they have GPS?
Fellow loopers down the dock had organized a dinner trip to a local oyster place, so 11 of us shared one rental car, in the rain, and enjoyed wonderful oysters and fried cheese curds (thought of you, Trisha Wright Jacobs). Great way to spend our last evening in Panama City.
I am posting a picture of the laundry room since so many people had questions about our clean clothes on the trip.
We have seen better laundry rooms, and we have seen worse! Usually there is someone to talk to, and something going on in the office, and a lending library!
As we left the office, it was very windy, and I noticed all the seagulls in the parking lot facing exactly the same direction. Do they have GPS?
Fellow loopers down the dock had organized a dinner trip to a local oyster place, so 11 of us shared one rental car, in the rain, and enjoyed wonderful oysters and fried cheese curds (thought of you, Trisha Wright Jacobs). Great way to spend our last evening in Panama City.
Tuesday, November 29 - MBA - Turkeys Anonymous friends
A wonderful side benefit of the Great Loop is visiting with friends along the way. And in Panama City, we hit the jackpot! Glenn Seawell, a fellow Turkey when we were in the MBA program at UGA, came over from Seaside, where he is the unofficial mayor, to have breakfast with us.
Again, we had a marvelous time catching up. And the breakfast place, Bayou Joe's, was delightful. Glenn couldn't resist the "Garbage Omelette," and the catfish, eggs and grits had my name written all over it!
While we were sitting on the boat after breakfast, June called to say she was on her way, so she and Glenn had a chance to visit before he left to host royalty (another story).
June took us sightseeing in Panama City, including the school named in honor of her husband Bill, then to her house on Blue Pond. What a wonderful afternoon!
The weather continues to be very windy, so no boats are leaving. Our boat is really rockin' and rollin', the most since we started the trip.
Danny caught a fish! Not big enough to keep, but we are getting some use out of those Florida fishing licenses! AND, a sunset picture. They are impossible to resist!
Again, we had a marvelous time catching up. And the breakfast place, Bayou Joe's, was delightful. Glenn couldn't resist the "Garbage Omelette," and the catfish, eggs and grits had my name written all over it!
While we were sitting on the boat after breakfast, June called to say she was on her way, so she and Glenn had a chance to visit before he left to host royalty (another story).
June took us sightseeing in Panama City, including the school named in honor of her husband Bill, then to her house on Blue Pond. What a wonderful afternoon!
The weather continues to be very windy, so no boats are leaving. Our boat is really rockin' and rollin', the most since we started the trip.
Danny caught a fish! Not big enough to keep, but we are getting some use out of those Florida fishing licenses! AND, a sunset picture. They are impossible to resist!
Monday, November 28 - Visiting with an Old Friend
In spite of drizzly weather, we went in search of breakfast! The restaurant everyone recommended was still closed for Thanksgiving, but we found a San Francisco deli with quiche and croissants! We walked down main street exploring, and looking for a bank so we could get quarters for laundry. Danny even went into some "cute" shops with me looking for a lighted Christmas decoration for the boat. We walked past a sporting goods store on the way back to the boat, and it was calling Danny's name! The guy who waited on us told us it was the oldest sporting goods store in the state. Four lures later, we resumed our walk!
My fave was the huge Santa Claus in the park beside the marina. I would LOVE to have one just like it for my yard.
I had called June Lloyd, and she came to the boat after a doctor's appointment. It was wonderful to see her, and to catch up with her news. Her husband, Bill, was a brand new professor at UGA when Danny, Robert, Jim, Alice, Glenn, etc. were in the MBA program, 1973-1975. Yes, we are that old!
While we were visiting with June, we were "treated" to a show by jets from Tyndall AFB. Pensacola Naval Air Base and Elgin AFB have been on our route, but Tyndall was by far the loudest! The cloudy skies held the sound close to the ground and it was booming!
No sunset pictures today, I'm sure everyone is disappointed.
My fave was the huge Santa Claus in the park beside the marina. I would LOVE to have one just like it for my yard.
I had called June Lloyd, and she came to the boat after a doctor's appointment. It was wonderful to see her, and to catch up with her news. Her husband, Bill, was a brand new professor at UGA when Danny, Robert, Jim, Alice, Glenn, etc. were in the MBA program, 1973-1975. Yes, we are that old!
While we were visiting with June, we were "treated" to a show by jets from Tyndall AFB. Pensacola Naval Air Base and Elgin AFB have been on our route, but Tyndall was by far the loudest! The cloudy skies held the sound close to the ground and it was booming!
No sunset pictures today, I'm sure everyone is disappointed.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)