5:40 am
Tuesday, September 21, 1999
Day 18
Here we are in Destin, FL. We are literally a hundred yards from the Gulf, directly off our stern. They call this one of the fishing capitals of Florida. I can't speak to that, but if the number of fishing boats makes it that way, then this must be it. The one picture doesn't do justice the incredible number of fishing boats throughout this area. I guess it is because the Gulf is so close, and they can actually be fishing in a few minutes. I don't even know what they are fishing for, but I hope there's a lot of them, cause if not, this is a huge waste of fiberglass.
Yesterday......
Easy 60 mile trip on the GIWW from Pensacola to Destin. We left about 7:30, and arrived at about 2 PM. It was fairly overcast, and as we arrived Destin, it started to mist. But as the afternoon went on the sky's got better, and the sun came out several times. Temp.-80 degrees. After settling in, and washing the boat, we went exploring. The girls found an art gallery, and the boys found a Pub. McGuire's was it's name, and it was truly an Irish Pub. (this was the same name as the one we went looking for in Pensacola) All beer brewed on premises---good time.
After dinner we also walked to another pub---AJ's. It was set up by the marina, and most of the deck was outside. They also had a live band. A good live band. ( a couple of points here. 1-we are definitely back to civilization 2-this new crew thinks this is a vacation, not a mission) Terry made a comment about 10 PM that I had not been up this late on this trip, and he was right. So Deb, and I left, and came back to the boat. I'm not sure what time the rest of the crew made it back, but I know that it is after 6 am and their not up yet. I guess the fact the Les and Terry got up early yesterday was just a fluke.
Today.....
We plan to head out about 7:30, and travel about 60 miles to Panama City. In the guide book there is a full page picture of one of the neatest marinas that I have seen. As I have been planning this trip, this picture has stuck in my mind, so I'm looking forward to finally seeing it. (this will test my guide book theory) The weather should start to get better today. The winds are forecast to be strong (20 to 25), as the front passes, but more sun starting this afternoon. We will be crossing a couple of wide open bays on our way, so yesterday we took down the bimini top. (that way the winds won't catch it and damage it).
Our plan is still to cross the Gulf (135 miles of open water) on Thursday, or Friday. The timing looks like it may be good. (but lots of prayers wouldn't hurt) After Harvey goes east, and this front passes my hope is that the high pressure system will flatten out the Gulf, and make this crossing a pleasure.
Since he has been aboard Terry has been saying "don't worry...a little adversity is good for you". Yesterday, he said "I hope we have some waves, just 3 to 4 footers to make it interesting", and "as long as we can make some headway, that's all that is important" and "I don't want this to go too smooth". Then, last night before dinner, I was working with the charts planing our next moves (see....... for me, this is a mission) and Terry says "let me see those charts, and get the big picture". Now that he has, let me just say, he is no longer looking for 3 to 4 footers, and "some adversity" has not left his lips. But he did call Les over, to say "did you see how far this is across here?".(like it was not that far before......and it had just gotten further) He also used his fingers (a common method used by several mariners) to measure the distance on the chart and proclaimed to Les, "see my fingers...as far as we have come so far, (three fingers) we have more than that to go in one day!" This is not a vacation.
One final note....last night Terry said he would get up early, and fix Les and I, a great breakfast.....it's 6:45, Les just came up the stairs, and Terry is still not up. It must have been a great band.
BK
Tuesday, September 21, 1999
Day 18
Here we are in Destin, FL. We are literally a hundred yards from the Gulf, directly off our stern. They call this one of the fishing capitals of Florida. I can't speak to that, but if the number of fishing boats makes it that way, then this must be it. The one picture doesn't do justice the incredible number of fishing boats throughout this area. I guess it is because the Gulf is so close, and they can actually be fishing in a few minutes. I don't even know what they are fishing for, but I hope there's a lot of them, cause if not, this is a huge waste of fiberglass.
Yesterday......
Easy 60 mile trip on the GIWW from Pensacola to Destin. We left about 7:30, and arrived at about 2 PM. It was fairly overcast, and as we arrived Destin, it started to mist. But as the afternoon went on the sky's got better, and the sun came out several times. Temp.-80 degrees. After settling in, and washing the boat, we went exploring. The girls found an art gallery, and the boys found a Pub. McGuire's was it's name, and it was truly an Irish Pub. (this was the same name as the one we went looking for in Pensacola) All beer brewed on premises---good time.
After dinner we also walked to another pub---AJ's. It was set up by the marina, and most of the deck was outside. They also had a live band. A good live band. ( a couple of points here. 1-we are definitely back to civilization 2-this new crew thinks this is a vacation, not a mission) Terry made a comment about 10 PM that I had not been up this late on this trip, and he was right. So Deb, and I left, and came back to the boat. I'm not sure what time the rest of the crew made it back, but I know that it is after 6 am and their not up yet. I guess the fact the Les and Terry got up early yesterday was just a fluke.
Today.....
We plan to head out about 7:30, and travel about 60 miles to Panama City. In the guide book there is a full page picture of one of the neatest marinas that I have seen. As I have been planning this trip, this picture has stuck in my mind, so I'm looking forward to finally seeing it. (this will test my guide book theory) The weather should start to get better today. The winds are forecast to be strong (20 to 25), as the front passes, but more sun starting this afternoon. We will be crossing a couple of wide open bays on our way, so yesterday we took down the bimini top. (that way the winds won't catch it and damage it).
Our plan is still to cross the Gulf (135 miles of open water) on Thursday, or Friday. The timing looks like it may be good. (but lots of prayers wouldn't hurt) After Harvey goes east, and this front passes my hope is that the high pressure system will flatten out the Gulf, and make this crossing a pleasure.
Since he has been aboard Terry has been saying "don't worry...a little adversity is good for you". Yesterday, he said "I hope we have some waves, just 3 to 4 footers to make it interesting", and "as long as we can make some headway, that's all that is important" and "I don't want this to go too smooth". Then, last night before dinner, I was working with the charts planing our next moves (see....... for me, this is a mission) and Terry says "let me see those charts, and get the big picture". Now that he has, let me just say, he is no longer looking for 3 to 4 footers, and "some adversity" has not left his lips. But he did call Les over, to say "did you see how far this is across here?".(like it was not that far before......and it had just gotten further) He also used his fingers (a common method used by several mariners) to measure the distance on the chart and proclaimed to Les, "see my fingers...as far as we have come so far, (three fingers) we have more than that to go in one day!" This is not a vacation.
One final note....last night Terry said he would get up early, and fix Les and I, a great breakfast.....it's 6:45, Les just came up the stairs, and Terry is still not up. It must have been a great band.
BK
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