We Made it to Carrabelle



Navy Hovercraft
St Andrews Bay



On Land or Sea

Snickers and Molly being
patient aboard Jeremiah



Celebrating Happy Hour at the
Haughty Heron!



Raking up Oysters

Smooth and Peaceful

Dolphins paying a visit

Well, we did end up spending another night in Panama City Marina due to the wind. The whole St Andrew Bay was whitecaps. Not what we wanted to deal with! It was really cold too! SO we hung out - while I did laundry Mike hung Christmas lights on NautiNell. We really weren't too crazy about the Panama City Marina. The docks weren't really in very good shape – but you take what you can get. They did give Mike a free t-shirt. Again – you take what you can get – right?

While we were there this huge hovercraft came by and disappeared quickly into a swirling haze of water. It had huge fans that propelled it and lifted it about six feet about the water with a speed of about 60 mph! How cool is that! Anyway according to those that know these things; it was the LCAC-91 that runs on a fuel comprised of regular diesel mixed half and half with a diesel made from algae. It runs on either land or water. The Navy is still testing this new fuel mixture in hopes that it will be cheaper and greener for the future.

Thursday morning we left for Port St Joe along with Jeremiah and Sweet Pea. We led the way this time and had a very pleasant trip. We crossed East Bay along with our friendly dolphins. It is so cool to have them run alongside the boat. While we were crossing the Bay, several F-4s were flying sorties. It was like watching TOP GUN! I could just imagine Maverick and Goose up there doing their thing! How cool!

We had to go down the Gulf Coast Canal about 7 miles to the Gulf to get to the marina in Port St Joe. Port St Joe Marina definitely knows how to treat the Loopers. They met us with a "goody bag" filled with all sorts of treats including a t-shirt, coozie cup, etc. Hey, all the important stuff to us Loopers!

Once we were all settled in, we decided to walk over to the "town area" to see what was there. We found a great combination – the Haughty Heron – a liquor store in front and a bar in the back. And it was Happy Hour! We all stayed a little too long and pretty much drank our dinner. Oh well, it was fun! They did furnish us Chex Mix!

The next morning we all rode our bikes to see more of the town. It's a neat town with lots of cool stores. Mike and I were searching for more Christmas lights. Just call him Clark – LOL! Anyway, we found some so back to NautiNell we went so he could hang them. We ate lunch at the Dockside Café at the Marina with Jeff and Linda. Really good food and cold beer! Jim and Dale found Peppers – which they said was the best Mexican food they had had for a very long time. Sorry we missed that one! Can't eat everywhere! Though we try sometimes!

Oh, also, the Humane Society was at the Marina with the cutest little kittens and doggies. I just couldn't get enough of them. The one little black kitten just took my heart. I wanted her so bad, but I know this isn't the right time. Maybe in a few months when we settle down a little. I'll keep working on Mike….. LOL!

We headed out to Apalachicola Saturday morning. It's known as the "oyster capital" of Florida. Over 90% of the oysters that come from Florida come from Apalachicola. The area was really not that scenic, in fact, it was rather swampy. However, we did see several bald eagles! We made it to Scipio Marina just as the wind really picked up. That made docking a little interesting! Maybe frustrating would be a better word….. anyway, we finally docked safely. Scipio Marina is rather overpriced but they have a really good restaurant - "Papa Joes". Mike said that the oysters were the best that he had ever had. EVER! I'm sure there was more to do in Apalachicola – but we ran out of time and daylight.

Sunday - we were leaving – we weren't- we were- we weren't.......... Finally after a good hot breakfast – and finally - when Jeremiah could get off the bottom – we headed out to cross Apalachicola Bay. Sweet Pea opted to stay another day for more oysters. LOL! Gold Leaf joined us for the journey. The Bay is big water and was rather choppy. The water is brown due to all the pine tree runoff. However the farther we went the better it got – color wise anyway, it was still bumpy. Again we saw lots of eagles and the dolphins didn't forget us.

Finally we made it to the C-Quarters Marina in Carrabelle. What a neat place! Lots of Loopers here waiting for the "weather window". It looks like we will be here until at least Wednesday. We are going to meet with Buddy, "the weather guru", on Tuesday morning. All of us are planning to make the great crossing from here to either Tarpon Springs or Clearwater. It will be a long trip and will include traveling at night. Not looking forward to it, but it's part of the great adventure!

Till next time!

Admiral "C"