Panama City Municipal Marina.
I had a relaxing day, napping and reading while the captain did a lot of engine room work. I'm glad to say that all this sleep I'm getting is clearing up the shingles on my back very quickly. Kerm got a diver to come and inspect the bottom of the boat, the thru-hull fittings and the sensors. Everything is good.
The AGLCA harbor hosts for Panama City are having a Looper Thanksgiving dinner at their house. We are all bringing a dish to pass but Carl and Greg are supplying the turkey and dressing and ham. It is wonderful of them to do this for us.
Thanksgivng Day was great. We met lots of other loopers and enjoyed their company as well as wonderful food. Greg and Carl opened their home to us and it was a lovely day.
There is much talk of 'the crossing' (crossing the Gulf of Mexico from the panhandle down to Clearwater/Tampa). Since it takes about 12 -15 hours it is an overnight crossing. The weather can be tricky and you have to plan your route and departure carefully. There is a great deal of strategising with all the different boats. Some go faster than others, some leave from Apalachicola some from Carrabelle...so there is a natural sorting out of groups that will actually do the crossing together. Then there is the constant wactching of the weather patterns...looking for a long enough window to accomplish the crossing without getting beat up by the wind and the waves.
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| Passport and Griannon |
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| Fuel Dock and Marina Office- Panama City |
This evening as we were watching the sunset on the dock Mary and John presented us with a wonderful surprise gift...Our very own Gold AGLCA flag which we will be allowed to fly once we 'cross our wake' in Hudson. Also a bottle of champagne to celebrate our completion of the Loop. Such a thoughtful and unexpected present. Thanks for great friends!!
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| Goodnight from Panama City |
Friday November 25
We left at 8:17am in very cold, but sunny, weather. Heading east to Port St. Joe today.
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| Goodbye, Panama City |
As we were traveling today we came across another Looper 'SeaBisquit' who had run hard aground in a shallow, curvy part of the channel. They were being assisted so we passed slowly by...but it reminded Kerm and I of our own 'tow of shame' in Georgia at the beginning of our trip.
We docked at Port St Joe at 2:55pm after putting on 45.8 miles.
Mary and I walked to a nearby grocery store and picked up some fresh grouper for our dinners...Mary had never made it before so I gave her my hints for baking it. Mine turned out great and hers did too. Happy captains and admirals all around.
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| Nice new facility |
Saturday November 26
Overcast and not too warm. Got pumped out and back on the Waterway by 9:27am. Lots of twisty, narrow channels running through swamps and then bigger 'bumpy' bays today. I napped and by 1:30pm we were turning into Scipio Creek in Apalachicola, where we are to spend the night.
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| Oops |
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| Lots of signs for a not so great marina...showers are not good!! |
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| Apalachicola has a very active Oyster fishing industry and we went out to dinner with a bunch of Loopers...I ate a raw oyster..I liked it... but the ones steamed with butter and Parmesan cheese were really, really good |
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| Good night from Apalachicola |
Sunday, November 27
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| This boat is directly behind us...low rent part of the marina...but still $1.75 per foot Expensive! |
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| Pelican having breakfast |
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| Meeting of some of the Gulf crossing masterminds |
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| Site of much oyster consumption |
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| Raney House |
Monday, November 28
Still in Apalachicola due to bad weather...spent the day reading, doing laundry, walking about town again and Blogging. We are leaving for Carrabelle tomorrow morning if the weather allows. We are anxious to get to Carrabelle because that is our departure point for the crossing. Please, weather, let us get out of here tomorrow.
Hooray, I'm up to date. Take care, all of you,
Love,
Christie
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