5/11/17: Big Sabine Point Anchorage (Pensacola, Fl) – The Wharf Marina, Orange Beach, Alabama= 34 NM

The forecasted wind forced us to go to the Wharf Marina sooner than we had planned. We just can;t seem to escape those ‘Gale Force’ wind warnings!  Our plan all along was to stop at The Wharf to restock, get the dogs groomers, etc. before heading out. Of course we went over to Foley, Alabama to Lamberts: Home of the Throwed Rolls.

 Also this is where we would meet up with our other two buddy boats, Tricia and Hoppy aboard ‘Kristin Noelle’ and Barney and Annette aboard ‘Journey.’

Downtown Wharf at Orange Beach is beautiful at night.

5/10/17: Hogtown Bayou Anchorage (Niceville, Fl.) to Big Sabine Point Anchorage (Pensacola, Fl.) = 42.5 NM

It was another smooth day on the water. The waterway to Pensacola is a well-marked narrow channel surrounded by homes and condos. Traveling on a Wednesday there was little boat traffic.

Amazing Sunset On Anchor

Tomorrow we head to Orange Beach, Alabama where we will meet up with our 2 other buddy boats and restock supplies for our trip north on the rivers. Exciting adventures await us.

5/7-9/17: Smack Bayou Anchorage (Panama City) – Hogtown Bayou Anchorage = 44.27 NM.

It was an easy run to Hogtown Bayou which is just south of Niceville, Fl.  off the ICW. The charts make the anchorage look more wind protected than it really is, so our first night was a little rocky. The anchorage is near a boat ramp/park with covered picnic tables, restrooms, and a fenced area where we could let the dogs run. We liked the spot so we decided to stay two nights.

Moon going down over the stern.

Sunrise over the bow.

This is why we love boating...amazing anchorages.

5/6/17: Apalachicola, Fl – Smack Bayou Anchorage (Panama City) = 53.33 NM

After 2 days of being under ‘Gale Force Marina Warning’ we were glad to throw off the dock lines and head out.  The trip from Apalachicola to our anchorage was mainly through a small channel surrounded by marsh lands making it a pleasant day on the water.

Our buddy boats.

A peaceful view.

Sunset at Smack Bayou

5/2/17: Gulf Of Mexico Crossing – Tarpon Springs, Fl. – Apalachicola, Fl. =

A small weather window opened up on Tuesday 5/2 for a Gulf of Mexico crossing. After pouring over numerous weather apps we all agreed that Tuesday was the day to cross or we would have to wait for at least another 9 days.

So we set off from Tarpon Springs, Florida around 10:30 am.  We had anticipated the first part of the trip was going to be somewhat uncomfortable (but not dangerous) so we weren’t surprised when, yes, it was uncomfortable. What did surprise us is that the wind and waves were exactly OPPOSITE of what the weather apps had predicted. Needless to say it was an uncomfortable crossing. Had the weather stayed true to the prediction we would have been spot-on with our forecast. But it is weather prediction so we have come to accept the flaws of the system.

Tarpon Springs Inlet Light House

Our buddy boats.

Gulf Crossing Sunrise

Gulf Crossing Sunset

After 23 hours we arrived at Apalachicola glad that we had crossed and certainly glad it was over. We have arrived just in time for another weather system to pass so we will be here at least 2 to 3 days.

4/29/17: Gulfport, Fl. Anchorage - Tarpon Cove Marina, Tarpon Springs, Fl. = 35.8 NM

It was a good weather day for travel but it was a Saturday so we anticipated we would see lots of SPORES (Stupid People On Rental Equipment Saturday). We were not disappointed. The waterway was full!

SPORES coming at us in all directions.

Tarpon Springs, Florida

4/27/17: Sarasota, Fl. (Causeway Anchorage) – Gulfport, Fl. Boca Ciega Bay Anchorage =  38 NM

It was a great day to cross Tampa Bay.  You never know what you will see on the waterway, but never expected to see horses.

Horses out or a swim in the Tampa Bay.

Sea Turtle

Beautiful !

When we arrived at our anchorage the local water Police informed us of the scheduled weekend evens that were to occur at our anchorage. Where we had planned on anchoring would be transformed into a Formula 1 Race Boat course. We could anchor there but further away from shore. We anchored then dinked into town for dinner anticipating that Friday we would see some racing action. 

On Friday at 6:30 a.m. we loaded up Jake and Ike for a quick trip to land before the action started. We waited all day and finally late on Friday afternoon a boat put out the course buoys.  

The race was scheduled to start at 8:00 am Saturday morning but when we still hadn’t seen the 1^st boat when we pulled up anchor at 7:30 am.