This is the inside of Peg Leg Pete's...thanks Randy for the tip
Worth the trip
Beautiful white sand beaches in this area
Part of the dolphin show coming into Panama City Harbor
This is the fog (just before it lifted) if you look real close you will see the outline of a barge. I had been talking to him and gave him a wide berth. He told me to pass on either side...just stay out of his way!
Destin Harbor leaving in the morning
Panama City Harbor
A shrimp boat at the end of our dock in Panama City
As you come into Destin Harbor
Log 66
Day 177
Friday, November 14, 2008
6:50 AM CST
Location: Panama City Marina, Panama City, FL...MM 290 on the GIWW
Weather: 72* calm and very foggy...forecasted to be 78 with 70% chance or rain
Sitting on the back of the boat this morning...it’s warm out and very foggy. I just took a dock walk and looked out over Panama City Harbor. I can’t describe how much I enjoy doing that type of thing first thing in the morning. No matter how early you get up and do this, there is always someone there before you. They are either fishing; walking; or just sitting and looking out at the water. It seems many folks do this...and then head off to work. I, on the other hand, walk back to the boat. YEA
It’s been a couple of days since I have written a log...let me catch up on what’s been going on.
Tuesday Nov. 11...we stayed the day at Pensacola Beach. The winds were pretty strong out of the east, and the gulf and sounds were very choppy. Our plan was to take the dinghy and go around the tip of Pensacola Beach in search of Peg Leg Pete’s...a local hang out with a laid back atmosphere. Despite the wind and waves we put the dinghy in the water and headed out. I took our hand held GPS and followed the course out in the sound. It was very wavy, but once we got around the tip of the island the waves calmed down at bit and it was not bad (I assumed we would get wet getting back to the boat). It turned out that Peg Leg’s was in a marina back in a narrow inlet with homes on both sides of the narrow island. We found our way back in there and were not disappointed with the place or the food. Peg Leg Pete’s is like a many waterfront restaurants and bars down here. Lot’s of stuff on the wall...none of which has anything to do with anything else...a very open feeling, with isinglass for outside walls, so they can drop it if it is windy. The tables are wooden and the floors creak...my kind of place. After lunch we went back to the boat. I washed down the dinghy to get the salt off, and Deb decided to take a long walk on the beach. I also spent a fair amount of time planning our next stops and looking at the weather. The winds were not forecasted to go down any, so I knew the next day would be interesting crossing the Santa Rosa Sound on our way to Destin. Deb also stopped by the store at the marina and talked to Roger, who was planning to make the brisket, and got a couple of pieces for me for dinner...it turned out to be very fatty and not very good. Oh well...it’s the thought that counts.
Wednesday Nov. 12th...the forecast was right about the winds...they blew most of the night, and when I got up it was “iffy” if we were going to head out. In the end we decided to go, and the first part of the trip across Santa Rosa Sound was very bumpy with a 2 to 3 foot chop. The good news was the wind (and chop) was coming out of the east, so we were heading directly into it. It makes for a lot of slapping on the water, and an occasional dip into a wave trough, but better than having them hitting you on the side. We had to go fairly slow through all of this, but as the day wore on the sun came out, and the winds started to subside. The intracoastal also winds it’s way along some much narrower areas, so the wind and waves were not as much of a factor. By about 2 PM we had made it to Destin. I had arranged a slip at Harbor Walk Marina (right down town), but when we got to our slip we found out there were no walkways on either side of the boat, so that meant we would have to get off the boat from the stern...which would not work for us because of the dinghy. After some discussions with the dock master, he recommended we go down to Marrabella...a new marina just about 3/4 mile further down the harbor. He gave me the number of the dock master there, but I could not reach him (I left him a message on his cell phone), but we headed that way anyway. Once we found the place it had a sign that said “docks are first come, first serve” so we found an empty slip and tied up. These docks were also hard for us to get off of, but we made it work. After washing the boat to get the salt off, we headed to the marina office to find Greg...the dock master...who was no where to be found. This time I left him a written message on a pad on his desk, telling him we were in his slip and to call me on the cell phone. With no response we decided to take a walk. We discovered we were about 2 miles from the boardwalk area and too far to walk, so we found Hog’s Breath Saloon, and stopped for a quick beer. On the way back to the boat we stopped at a fresh fish store and picked up some fresh grouper for dinner (it was awesome). Just before we were settling in for the day a guy stopped by the boat...it turned out to be Greg...the dock master. He was very nice, and apologized for not returning my call and getting back to us. He was happy to have us in the marina, and asked us to fill out the paper work, and just pay the $3.30 per foot per night and we were in good shape. “ What? $3.30 per foot? You’re kidding right? Nope...that’s our rate.” The short version of what happened next was me filling out the paper work...and Deb crying; complaining; and begging with Greg (I did not hear any of the conversation, but that is what I’m guessing went on) The next thing I know is he says “don’t worry about the paperwork...no charge for tonight...it’s great having you folks, and have a safe journey heading south.” WHAT? Deb...the negotiator.
Thursday Nov. 13th...Based on the fact we did not have a slip for Thursday night, we had to leave Destin. I had been paying close attention to the weather, and especially the waves in the gulf because I wanted to go outside to Panama City to save a lot of time (and fuel). It was beautiful as we left Destin Harbor with calm winds, but as we got back in the channel to head to the gulf the current/tide was heading out, and the gulf waves were trying to come in. Not a good thing, and it made for some very confused seas, and very uncomfortable for us trying to get to the gulf. After some tense moments we were out in the gulf only to find that it had not settled down enough after several days of easterly winds, so we decided to head back in (yes...again having to go through that mess) and go the intracoastal route to Panama City. That seemed like a great idea until we got into Choctawhatchee Bay and it was so foggy you could not see anything. So for the next 2 hours it was all about looking at the radar and chart plotter...even the barges had pulled over waiting for the fog to lift (we could hear them on the radio). About 10 the fog finally lifted and it turned out to be a picture perfect trip and day. Once we entered the Panama Harbor we were treated to a wonderful dolphin show that lasted for a long time. We had a group of dolphins on the starboard side of the boat giving me a show...and another group in the front giving Deb a show. By 3 PM we were at Panama City Marina and tied up. We washed and wiped down the boat (almost a daily thing with the salt water) and went to the office to get check in and get our bearings. Dinner was quesadillas Deb made from the left over steak...our movie was watching a recorded episode of The Mentalist...one of our new favorite programs.
Today...we plan to stay in Panama City for 4 nights. One...because the weather is supposed to turn cold and windy starting tonight for the next couple of days. And 2 because this is the final weekend on NASCAR and there are 3 races I want to watch. Deb has been studying the area to find any “must see’s”, so it will be interesting what we do.
I’ll keep you posted.
Bob
Day 177
Friday, November 14, 2008
6:50 AM CST
Location: Panama City Marina, Panama City, FL...MM 290 on the GIWW
Weather: 72* calm and very foggy...forecasted to be 78 with 70% chance or rain
Sitting on the back of the boat this morning...it’s warm out and very foggy. I just took a dock walk and looked out over Panama City Harbor. I can’t describe how much I enjoy doing that type of thing first thing in the morning. No matter how early you get up and do this, there is always someone there before you. They are either fishing; walking; or just sitting and looking out at the water. It seems many folks do this...and then head off to work. I, on the other hand, walk back to the boat. YEA
It’s been a couple of days since I have written a log...let me catch up on what’s been going on.
Tuesday Nov. 11...we stayed the day at Pensacola Beach. The winds were pretty strong out of the east, and the gulf and sounds were very choppy. Our plan was to take the dinghy and go around the tip of Pensacola Beach in search of Peg Leg Pete’s...a local hang out with a laid back atmosphere. Despite the wind and waves we put the dinghy in the water and headed out. I took our hand held GPS and followed the course out in the sound. It was very wavy, but once we got around the tip of the island the waves calmed down at bit and it was not bad (I assumed we would get wet getting back to the boat). It turned out that Peg Leg’s was in a marina back in a narrow inlet with homes on both sides of the narrow island. We found our way back in there and were not disappointed with the place or the food. Peg Leg Pete’s is like a many waterfront restaurants and bars down here. Lot’s of stuff on the wall...none of which has anything to do with anything else...a very open feeling, with isinglass for outside walls, so they can drop it if it is windy. The tables are wooden and the floors creak...my kind of place. After lunch we went back to the boat. I washed down the dinghy to get the salt off, and Deb decided to take a long walk on the beach. I also spent a fair amount of time planning our next stops and looking at the weather. The winds were not forecasted to go down any, so I knew the next day would be interesting crossing the Santa Rosa Sound on our way to Destin. Deb also stopped by the store at the marina and talked to Roger, who was planning to make the brisket, and got a couple of pieces for me for dinner...it turned out to be very fatty and not very good. Oh well...it’s the thought that counts.
Wednesday Nov. 12th...the forecast was right about the winds...they blew most of the night, and when I got up it was “iffy” if we were going to head out. In the end we decided to go, and the first part of the trip across Santa Rosa Sound was very bumpy with a 2 to 3 foot chop. The good news was the wind (and chop) was coming out of the east, so we were heading directly into it. It makes for a lot of slapping on the water, and an occasional dip into a wave trough, but better than having them hitting you on the side. We had to go fairly slow through all of this, but as the day wore on the sun came out, and the winds started to subside. The intracoastal also winds it’s way along some much narrower areas, so the wind and waves were not as much of a factor. By about 2 PM we had made it to Destin. I had arranged a slip at Harbor Walk Marina (right down town), but when we got to our slip we found out there were no walkways on either side of the boat, so that meant we would have to get off the boat from the stern...which would not work for us because of the dinghy. After some discussions with the dock master, he recommended we go down to Marrabella...a new marina just about 3/4 mile further down the harbor. He gave me the number of the dock master there, but I could not reach him (I left him a message on his cell phone), but we headed that way anyway. Once we found the place it had a sign that said “docks are first come, first serve” so we found an empty slip and tied up. These docks were also hard for us to get off of, but we made it work. After washing the boat to get the salt off, we headed to the marina office to find Greg...the dock master...who was no where to be found. This time I left him a written message on a pad on his desk, telling him we were in his slip and to call me on the cell phone. With no response we decided to take a walk. We discovered we were about 2 miles from the boardwalk area and too far to walk, so we found Hog’s Breath Saloon, and stopped for a quick beer. On the way back to the boat we stopped at a fresh fish store and picked up some fresh grouper for dinner (it was awesome). Just before we were settling in for the day a guy stopped by the boat...it turned out to be Greg...the dock master. He was very nice, and apologized for not returning my call and getting back to us. He was happy to have us in the marina, and asked us to fill out the paper work, and just pay the $3.30 per foot per night and we were in good shape. “ What? $3.30 per foot? You’re kidding right? Nope...that’s our rate.” The short version of what happened next was me filling out the paper work...and Deb crying; complaining; and begging with Greg (I did not hear any of the conversation, but that is what I’m guessing went on) The next thing I know is he says “don’t worry about the paperwork...no charge for tonight...it’s great having you folks, and have a safe journey heading south.” WHAT? Deb...the negotiator.
Thursday Nov. 13th...Based on the fact we did not have a slip for Thursday night, we had to leave Destin. I had been paying close attention to the weather, and especially the waves in the gulf because I wanted to go outside to Panama City to save a lot of time (and fuel). It was beautiful as we left Destin Harbor with calm winds, but as we got back in the channel to head to the gulf the current/tide was heading out, and the gulf waves were trying to come in. Not a good thing, and it made for some very confused seas, and very uncomfortable for us trying to get to the gulf. After some tense moments we were out in the gulf only to find that it had not settled down enough after several days of easterly winds, so we decided to head back in (yes...again having to go through that mess) and go the intracoastal route to Panama City. That seemed like a great idea until we got into Choctawhatchee Bay and it was so foggy you could not see anything. So for the next 2 hours it was all about looking at the radar and chart plotter...even the barges had pulled over waiting for the fog to lift (we could hear them on the radio). About 10 the fog finally lifted and it turned out to be a picture perfect trip and day. Once we entered the Panama Harbor we were treated to a wonderful dolphin show that lasted for a long time. We had a group of dolphins on the starboard side of the boat giving me a show...and another group in the front giving Deb a show. By 3 PM we were at Panama City Marina and tied up. We washed and wiped down the boat (almost a daily thing with the salt water) and went to the office to get check in and get our bearings. Dinner was quesadillas Deb made from the left over steak...our movie was watching a recorded episode of The Mentalist...one of our new favorite programs.
Today...we plan to stay in Panama City for 4 nights. One...because the weather is supposed to turn cold and windy starting tonight for the next couple of days. And 2 because this is the final weekend on NASCAR and there are 3 races I want to watch. Deb has been studying the area to find any “must see’s”, so it will be interesting what we do.
I’ll keep you posted.
Bob
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