White City, FL

Day 208 … Tues, Nov 14, 2017 … 39.3 miles; 4:40 hours

Panama City, Fl to White City, Fl

Last night we went out to dinner in Panama City with Bob & Barb on Chemistry

and Scott & Linda from Ramble On. Had such a good time, I forgot to take pics. Here is one of Tilley (Chemistry & great buddy for Cally) last night.

Just moving further east along the GICW

across a good size bay then into a man made channel (“the ditch”) today.

Transitioning from the bay into the channel.

We passed Bob & Sue on Aestival, whom we met at Panama City. They left a bit earlier than we did this morning.

The stop tonight is a free dock at White City. Well … we think it will be ok. Lots of Loopers & others) stop here and have for years. Now, there is one sign up that says no overnight docking. You cannot see the sign from the water and if you walk judiciously, you will not see it.

There is more green grass at the park around the docks & boat ramps than the pic below shows .

The plan is to reach Apalachicola, Fl tomorrow and Carrabelle on Thurs. We have booked a slip at Carrabelle for a week to wait weather out (mostly winds) before we can think about starting to cross from the Panhandle of Florida to the West Coast of Florida. We will stay at Carrabelle until the conditions warrant moving; with the goal of getting to Tarpon Springs, Fl on the west coast. That is 3 to 5 stops, depending on weather & sea conditions before reaching Tarpon Springs. Not sure how many days it will take to do those 3-5 stops … it’s all about the weather, wind and waves.

Stay tuned.

Good night from White City, FL.

Dolphin on the Way to Panama City, FL

Day 206 & 207 … Sun & Mon, Nov 12-13, 2017 … 37.1 miles; 4.5 hours

Choctawhatchee Bay to Panama City Marina

Half our day will be in a long narrow channel, then into open waters of St Andrews Bay and on to Panama City, Fl.

Once we were in open waters … the dolphin came out to play in our wake.

They would jump up, turn and then slap down on their sides making a noise, which got Cally’s attention!

Dolphin are SO MUCH fun to watch! I do not get tried of it.

Rip got the great idea to aim the GoPro down the side of the boat at our wake, so we could get a video of them playing.

Yep, you guessed it none played with us after we set it up. We will leave it that way until we catch them and post it for you.

All set & ready for them!!

We will be in Panama City for 2 days. A few chores, including getting our “out of state boat registration” since we will be in Florida for more than 90 days.

There is a park setting for Cally just off the dock of this municipal marina. There are also several beautiful memorials.

This one is by the American Legion & Ladies Auxiliary. I loved seeing the permanent flame!

The town’s 911 Memorial is at the water front (verses along the park) with 2 towers, a majestic Eagle and 4 benches with the Airline & Flight Number of the downed aircraft. The benches beckon you to sit, touch them and reflect.

Never forget 911.

Even on a boat, the bike needs tweaking; this time only tires inflated. Rip needs to ride 1.5 miles to the DMV for our “Sojourner’s Permit”. $80+ buck fee for the boat to be in Florida over 90 days.

Friends with a Chocolate Lab onboard Chemistry; Bob, Barb & Tilley are coming into the marina tonight. We have plans for dinner out. More buddy’s - Scott & Linda on Ramble On are also due in this afternoon, but headed to a nearby marina. We hope to catch up with them at dinner, too!

Good night from Panama City …

Frisky day on Choctawhatchee Bay

Day 205 … Sat, Nov 11, 2017 … 31.1 miles … 4:15 hours

Ft Walton Beach, Fl to Choctawhatchee Bay, Fl

Happy Birthday, Liz Finkle!! We called to wish you a happy birthday, but you had company. Too busy to talk!! We’ll try you again later tonight.

Couple pics from sunset last night at Ft Walton Beach …

As the captain said … “it’s quite frisky out here, today”. You guessed it the weatherman was wrong about the wind. We were on a larger body of water for most of the day, the Choctawhatchee Bay, but the boat handled it well and we were comfortable.

You know it is too breezy when the kite boarders are out in full force.

Not much scenery today … but, a much better distance from passing tows!!

Our anchorage tonight is at the east end of Choctawhatchee Bay, but still in the bay and near the channel tomorrow to head further east to Panama City for 2 days. We are out of the marked channel and safe.

Cally’s shore dooty tonight is at a boat ramp up a creek with a couple piers. Very popular with fisherman to put in their boats, kids fishing from the pier and locals out for a stroll.