Log 67; Day 179; Nov. 16, 2008; Panama City, FL.

This is the shrimp boat at the end of our dock...he went out today to try his luck.

A couple of shots of sunset today...very pretty

Log 67
Day 179
Sunday, November 16, 2008

7:15 AM CST
Location: Panama City Marina, Panama City, FL...MM 290 on the GIWW
Weather: 48* and windy...forecasted to be 61; sunny; and breezy

The front came through here and dropped the temprature about 15 degrees. It got down to 45 last night and forecasted to go lower the next two nights. It’s bright and sunny out now, but the back deck is not warm enough yet, so I’m inside where it’s warm.

The last couple of days in Panama City have been about boat chores. On Friday we decided to move the boat from the slip they assigned us to a tie up along a long dock. We had “bowed in” to the slip and it was very tough getting off...and the dock had a huge cement post in the middle of the narrow walkway, and I could not see trying to get around that with clothes (going to the laundry) and groceries. So while we moved the boat...we got a pump out at the dock, and then tied alongside the dock...a much better place. An interesting (not fun, but interesting) thing happened while we were moving the boat. All at once the fresh water pump quit working. Amazing. So after a 1/2 hour of trouble shooting I determined we needed a new pump (I have been telling Debbie I wanted to have a backup on board just in case this happened...but had not done it yet). So, after some investigation, I found out there was a West Marine about 2 miles away, and decided to ride my bike there and get a new pump. Before I did Deb and I walked into town to get our bearings and have some lunch. A nice stop at “The Place” for local information and a great cheeseburger, and back to the boat about 1 PM. Deb headed to the laundry at the marina...I jumped on the bike and headed to West Marine. I think this is the second or third time I have ridden a bike in...oh...35 years? So the reported 2 miles to the store seemed like a WHOLE lot more, but I made it, bought a pump, and then peddled back. Back at the boat, I installed the new pump, while Deb continued with the laundry. By the end of the day we were back in business...everything on the boat worked, and clean laundry too. Just before bed time we got a hell of a storm. For two hours we watched it build out in the Gulf and head our way. It was warm, and dead calm out until the storm hit with a sudden jolt. The rain came sideways and in buckets for almost an hour. Not sure how much rain we got, but the wind blew water in the harbor and it went up over a foot. It was an interesting evening.

Saturday we spent putzing. I spent the morning looking at charts and weather for next weeks travel, and potential crossing the Gulf. Deb worked on emails and bookwork. For lunch we walked back into town to try to find a new spot...and did. The day before we had walked by a place called Gaston’s. It looked interesting, so this time we decided to eat here. The food was awesome and the service was like eating in your kitchen at home. We were the only ones in the place so they talked to us like we were part of their group, and fed us like it as well. It was great. After lunch I went back to the boat, and Deb walked the main street stopping in a couple of shops and going to Dollar General for some quick items. The afternoon was spent doing some more boat chores and me watching the NASCAR race. Dinner was leftovers, and the dinner movie was the new Indiana Jones movie...very good.

Today...is a day of rest. Both Deb and I have colds, so we’re taking turns coughing. We’re looking forward to spending the day relaxing. Deb, with a good book, and black and white movie. Me, watching everything I can about the final NASCAR race of the season, while I multitask with charts and monitoring several weather web pages (Deb has promised her famous Chili as well) It’s very sunny so it makes you feel good...but will be too cold to do much outside...which is just fine with us.

Tomorrow...we will leave Panama City and head to Apalachicola, FL...where we plan to stay for a couple of days, and then on to Carrabelle, FL where we will wait to cross the Gulf. I will be glued to the weather pages until we are safe in Clearwater.

I’ll keep you posted.

Bob