1/28/15 - 2/2/15 - Port St. Joe - Port St. Joe Marina

The time was finally right to head out of Panama City.  It was a beautiful morning with light breezes and mild... although not flat seas... but the ride was smooth sailing.

This leg will be the very first time that Al and I have ever been this distance totally by ourselves.  We were anxious but excited about the prospect.  I'm delighted to report it went quite well.

First off we were escorted out of the bay by a Navy dive boat headed out to sea.  He hailed us and asked if he could pass on the one... we acknowledged then held on as he came by.  Not a terrible wake.. we have had worse... but a rock and roll none-the-less.

Navy Dive Boat

The wiggles along the ICWW were incredibly narrow... and shallow. 

Four hours going through them were a bit dicey at times 

but we never did see less than 8-9 feet under us... but 1' left and right to avoid.

Except for the amazing dolphin that escorted us out of PC... sorry I did not get a video... I was too busy watching this amazing show to go get my camera....we never saw any signs of life on the banks.  

As we headed off the ICWW down the canal we saw fishermen in their boats everywhere.  We saw one come out from behind this lovely little floating house.  We also passed a Game Warden... he was busy reading a book!

"House Boat"  

Readying the lines as we go down the canal

Open waters! Beautiful and not too rough!

As we inched our way out into the Port St. Joe Bay leading to the open waters of the Gulf we found plenty of water, and less than 10 kts. of wind.  We easily made our way to the marina where we were met by Jason and Dean who helped us with our lines.  

After we settled in we walked down to the office, signed in and then went out on the Deck and had lunch.  The view was amazing.

I think we are going to like it here.

We took down the bikes. Aired up the tires and headed out to explore
this wonderful little sea-side town.

Just next to marina is the welcome center with a beautiful shore line trail and park... it runs for miles with piers ever so often leading out to the water.

There is even a narrow beach at the marina where Al and Lexi are taking a stroll.

 After a stop at the Piggly Wiggly for groceries... and doing laundry we headed to the local bar/package store.  Yes.  That's right you have a package store with a guy playing a guitar while you sit at the bar....

It is while sitting at this bar that we made the decision to alter course... West is also a direction... 

and we decided we need to go back and rejoin the rest of our crew!

The sunset was so peaceful 

Cambria is there waiting for her next journey... West... as the sun sets....

Our Friday Bike Ride - Starting out on the point.

Piggly-Wiggly Shopping Center

Antique Store

Peppers Mexican food... Not too bad!

More Bike Trails

Entrance into on part of the Bike Trail

Tree Stump Art

Biking down 98 - Beautiful shoreline.

Love this sail boat.. which obviously met with a low tide... But was so beautiful out there.

Shoreline is beautiful...Saltgrass flats and sandbars line the shores

Al and Lexi

Lexi waiting to go for her walk

Sunset 1/30/15  - Going West Confirmation - Can almost see God coming down!

 Sunset 1/30 - This pelican is always sitting on this pole... Looks especially good tonight.

Sunset 1/31/2015 - Port St. Joe Light House

Sunset 1/31/2015 - Port St. Joe Harbor

1/25/15 - 1/26/15 Panama City - St. Andrews Marina

Jerry and Susan got up early this morning and started their trip back home.  We hate to see them go. But we are ready to move along.  The weather and water was spectacular.  We had hoped to leave today too.  But the wind is suppose to pick up this afternoon to about 20kts.  Too much for us.  Hopefully they will be able to get docked before it gets bad.

While the weather was nice we scrubbed down the boat.  We took most of the morning.  I put some chicken in the crock pot and we headed up to do another load of laundry.  While we were there we got the Geocache that was outside the ship store.

The wind is blowing like crazy and there are white caps on the bay...


I spent the afternoon bringing my blog up to date...

And the sun sets.

Monday was another cold and windy day.  

A perfect time to work on Jake's weighted blanket.

Tuesday, we took a long walk, ate at lunch at Hugh's Oyster Bar... went through mail that Angela sent us and readied the boat to leave tomorrow.  Fingers crossed that the winds will have died down enough to head to Port St. Joe.