On Monday, Nov 3 we left Holiday Harbor Marina in Pensacola and headed for Destin, Fl.  We had choppy water but arrived safely at 3:30pm and tied up at Harborwalk Marina.  No one was there to greet us, give us codes to the bathrooms and the pier we tied up to was very difficult to get into - Stan had to maneuver in a tight space and back in.  He did a fantastic job, but we still had a difficult time getting off the boat due to the short dock.  Also, was not close to much of anything.  Traveled 55 miles.

Dock person came down in the morning and when we told him we were not at all happy, said we were free to move and didn't charge us anything.  Moved to Harbor Dock where we were lucky to get into a temporarily vacant space.  Roxanne moved also.  This was closer to some restaurants and a moderate walk to Harborside Village; shops, restaurants, etc.

Stan ordered a new radar as everyone he talked to said ours was too old to get parts...sounds like us!  While waiting we walked to Walgreens for prescription renewals, shopped for some groceries at Target (couldn't find a Walmart close enough to walk to) and got a haircut.

On Friday,  Nov. 7 sister Barb and husband Darrell stopped to visit.  They were on their was to California, with a stop in Tucson.  Since they were traveling along I-10 it was the closest we would be to each other a while.  We enjoyed a relaxing dinner at AJ's.  Mahi Mahi was very good.

On Saturday we took the boat out for a peaceful cruise, only to be interrupted by getting stuck on a sandbar in the middle of the channel.  It was a nice sunny day, so we had a nice visit while waiting for Boat US to pull us off.  They came in about 1-1/2 hours and quickly freed us.  We went out to the gulf to run the engines at speed  to make sure the props hadn't been damaged.
All was good.  Walked across the street at had a great burger at Hog's Breath Saloon.  (Steve - you would have enjoyed it!).  Barb and Darrell went on their way Sunday.

Monday the radar was installed!  We were in Destin for a week.

Tuesday, Nov. 11 we left Harbor Docks at 9:15am and headed north across the bay to Niceville where we docked at North Light Marina.  Traveled 10 miles.  David and Jane found a boat they wanted to look at just in case the boat they have an offer on falls thru.  The boat didn't suit them but it was interesting to look.

Wednesday, Nov. 12 we left at 9:15am (see a pattern here?) and headed to Panama City, Fl.  It was slightly overcast, flat water.  Traveled 70 miles and arrived at Panama City Marina and was at the dock by 4pm.  Ran into loopers EJ and Ed on the sailboat EDE J and Mary and Roger on a trawler named (?) (didn't get a card).   

Walked a few blocks into town and had dinner at an Italian Restaurant.  Cute town with a variety of shops.

Thursday, Nov 13 we went with David & Jane to look at another boat - a 52' which was overpriced and needed electronics.  They crossed it off their list.  Pizza, wine and a movie on the Hotei.

On Friday, Nov 14 we fueled up and headed to Appalachicola.  A chilly 39 degrees but sunny.  Had an uneventful, pleasant trip arriving at Water Street Inn and Marina at 3pm.  Lots of short piers and Stan is getting pretty darn good at backing in even tho his sightline is partially blocked by the dingy up on top. David/Jane walked around town with us  and had dinner at Up The Creek Raw Bar where Stan had his oysters.   The rest of us had something different!

Saturday, Nov 15...after checking 3 different weather sites, we decided to make the gulf crossing, starting out at 3pm.  Went thru government cut and all was well, with 1-2 chop.
Sunset came and things went downhill quickly...seas built, it was pitch black and we had a very, very rough ride.  Thanks to Roxanne (David and Jane) for leading the way.  Had a quesy stomach most of the way and was soooo grateful to see the sunrise.  The seas finally calmed down about 7am  and the last 4 hours were okay.  A bright note... two dolphins came along side, and were soon joined by 2 more, then 2 more.  For a while we had 6 following, jumping and playing.  Very cool!

After 20 grueling hours, we arrived at Marker 1 Marina in Dunedin, FL at 11:30am Sunday, Nov. 16.  So thankful to be tied up safe and sound.  Traveled 190 miles.

Today, Wed. Nov 20 we are still at Marker 1.  We have made arrangement to move on Sunday, Nov. 23 to the Dunedin Municipal Marina where we will stay for about 2 months. 

A recap of our journey so far...as of Nov. 16 we have been on the loop for 80 days, 31 underway, 49 at rest and traveled 2151.8 miles!  Phew!

 Happy Thanksgiving, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to everyone!


 

We spent 4 days ( 10/29-11/01) at Dog River Marina getting some maintenance done on Hotei.   We went out to dinner with some other loopers at a nearby Yacht Club and gathered on our boat a couple nights for snacks and drinks.  Had a good time getting to know Shipperly (Ken and Pauline), met up with Priority (Randy and Sherry) and met some new people.  Randy is the one responsible for us buying Hotei - Stan was on their boat a year ago and fell in love with it.  Also borrowed the courtesy car and went into town a few times to get provisions.

Sunday, Nov. 2 we left and headed across Mobile Bay for the ICW (intercoasal waterway).  We had a following sea when we left so rocked and rolled a little bit until we neared the eastern shore where it calmed down and then we had a great ride.  Chilly when we left, but was sunny and warmed up nicely.  As we entered the ICW, we saw some dolphins - looking forward to seeing a lot more!  Traveled about 50 miles and docked at Holiday Harbor Marina on Perdido Key (near Pensacola, FL).  Plan to leave tomorrow for Destin, FL, then on to Panama City, FL where we will stay for a while.  Need to look into repairing or replacing it ($$$$).