A GULFIN' WE WILL GO!

TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 11

Woke to a nice breakfast prepared by Tim.  He drove us back to the marina where we took time to make some preparations for our first sail into the Gulf.  We had to get the heads pumped, take the motor off Marley and fill the water tanks.  Finished our prep work and it was time to play a bit.  The guys dropped me off at a shopping and entertainment district downtown on Palafox where I proceeded to check out the local wares.  Meanwhile Tim took John for a ride in his center console fishing boat for some sightseeing.  A few hours later they picked me back up and we headed to a local Greek deli and the famous fishmongers Joe Patti’s.  We got some Grouper and some Scamp to put on the grill tomorrow.  Went back to the marina and met up with Amy and had dinner at the Oar House. 

Love eating all the fish and seafood here!  I can get used to this.  Then it was home to be with Molly and get some shuteye.

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 12

Tossed off the lines about 6:30AM.  Had to motor back West to get out of the ICW ad in to the Gulf.  By 8:10AM we have full sails up and are pointing towards Destin.  Dolphins abound once again.  It is so much fun to sail along with them.

By 10AM w had a respectable 6 knots going with a NW wind on a gentle sea.  This is what we were hoping to find as we decided not to give Molly any Dramamine.  We don’t want to medicate her unless we have to.  We were sailing about 3 miles offshore in 60’ of water and did not see one other boat out there which felt kind of weird.  Our power boat friends and smaller sailboats can just continue on the ICW to points South but we cannot because our mast height is 58’.  There are many fixed bridges that are 49’ and we just can’t get under them so out we go in to the Gulf of Mexico for the first time. 

I was up front watching for dolphins when I noticed jellyfish, lots of jellyfish swimming just under the surface on the port side of the boat. 

There were hundreds of them!  I tried to capture them on video and camera and did the best that I could.  Video could not grasp the images.  What a sight to behold, I felt like I was on a National Geographic special or something.    They were showing off their pretty pink flowing skirts, just cool! 

Passed the famous Pensacola Beach and had a beautiful view of the entire coastline. 

White sand, blue sea - just beautiful.   Then, our wind died.  Motor-sailed and then sailed and then motor-sailed once again – the story of our life.  We wanted to make it in to Destin by like 4:00 so keeping up about 6 knots was key.  We knew it was very shallow coming in there so were a bit nervous about it.  It doesn't exactly instill confidence when you see a dredge at the mouth of the harbor entrance.  John called the dredge to ask for guidance getting in and couldn't understand a word the man said.

Had an email from another Looper sailboat the day before and he said he got in there OK and suggested we follow another boat in.  Destin is very commercial.  We don't like that about it, the beaches are in fact beautiful but it's just too touristy and condo, condo, condos!  Not our scene so to say.  But it was a place to stop and we avoided doing an overnight passage to Panama City. 

On our way in the channel we were graced by lots of dolphins, more than we have ever seen.  I could see them under the water which was really neat.  Wish I would have gotten video of them.  

That Looper we got the email from had one other comment, be prepared to wash your boat when you leave.  We didn’t exactly know what he meant but it didn’t take long to figure it out.  We saw one osprey and lots of cormorants perched high on masts and leaving piles of presents all over the boat decks below – yuk! 

We had a plan to stop that!  Got anchored and John leapt into action.  He employed one of Molly’s toys and 2 of my colored exercise bands and ran them up halyards to deter those darn birds.  It seemed to work and we were glad to not have to worry about that! Next thing we know the sun is going down, time to grill that fish we bought in Pensacola...