Today we woke up to a chilly 37F outside, but were grateful that the sun was shining and Dragonfly was no longer pitching and rolling at the dock. After breakfast aboard, we got underway after three nights in Pensacola.
The Gulf is full of oysters and everything in our marina was covered with them. Fun facts about oysters: 1. A healthy oyster can filter 50 gallons of water per day; 2. There is little scientific proof that oysters are an aphrodisiac; and 3. Neither Kathleen nor I enjoy eating them.
We traveled 42 miles today—the first five in Pensacola Bay and the rest in the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. The chart below shows our route and the geography of the panhandle, with barrier islands protecting us from ocean winds and waves. We had a lovely voyage, with light following seas and a bright sun, which warmed up our enclosed cockpit to shirtsleeve temperatures.
We’re docked at Adventure Marina in Fort Walton Beach, FL, and had a very minor adventure upon our arrival. Making a reservation was easy, as was finding it, but we had to circle for a bit until the confused dock hand figured out where to put us. The place is definitely no-frills, and seems to be focused on sales, service and in-season rentals rather than winter transients, but we’re tied to a sturdy dock and have water and electricity. And we are conveniently located near several oyster bars, a liquor store and a gentleman’s club.
Before dinner we took a walk across Okaloosa Island to the ocean and beautiful white sand beach. In the distance over Kathleen’s head is the Island Pier, which stretches 1,262 feet into the Gulf of Mexico.
Tomorrow we plan to keep moving east, then hunker down again as yet another winter storm—this one named Gerri—heads our way.
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