LOOP Report 11/14/2004

Carrabelle, Florida.

Nov.14, 2004

Crossing the Mobile Bay was a long day in a mostly following sea of 2-3 foot with winds coming out of the north at 15-20 with gusts. We cut on a 145 degree angle giving us little roll. We passed a shrimping boat with his nets hanging off each side looking like a big butterfly and surrounded by hundreds of seagulls hoping for leftovers. Spotted our first porpoises swimming along on our side. The water was so brown in the Bay it surprised us that they were swimming in such murky conditions. We have since enjoyed their company numerous times. They either were jumping out in front of the boat to let us know they had arrived to play in the bow wash or leaping along side in the surf at a fast speed but streamlined and showing no effort. They tend to leap out of the water on their side and give you a wink with their eye. And in a blink of their eye they just disappear and are gone somewhere else that’s more fun.

Much of the Intra Coastal Waterway has taken us past much Hurricane devastation, houses demolished, boats torn apart and put up on shore by the surge. Others sunk at docks and docks washed away or sunk, just the pilings showing. Most of the houses and condo buildings in Pensacola have blue tarp roofs. Many boats are up on land with huge holes and damaged hulls. While staying overnight at Seville Harbour Marina in Pensacola we saw that half of the marina was gone and had no water or power.Up on shore there were boats 1/2 block away laying in the trees and yards. We walked around a bit to find the small historical part of town, nice old houses some dating to 1825. The town got it’s start somewhere around in 1550’s.

We stopped in at Destin for a two day stay and saw all the charter boats with their clients taking their catch home, looked like everyone had 20-40 fish each, a sort of red snapper called Mingo, mixed in with grouper and flounder.. Many damaged boats are up in the parking lot are being auctioned off by insurance companies. It’s sad to see such destruction made by the seas we are seeing so calm now. We all went for a shopping break to the big box outlet malls by cab and enjoyed an afternoon getting our land-legs sorted out. We are certainly getting our fill of seafood- breakfast shrimp omelette, fresh shrimp dinner on board, jerk tuna at the restaurant and fresh flounder on board again.

After Destin we kept on towards Panama City and anchored in a lovely “Pearl Bayou”. Got the swim ladder down for the first dip in salt water that was semi clear. Right away a dolphin appeared to see the action so I got out quickly not knowing their reaction to a visitor to their bay. Turns out a local sail boater mentioned there are alligators back in the bayou a little way and could come out in the night. So no more swimming for a time. David got very excited when the evening military jet birds soared over our heads at ultra speeds with their tails on fire like the Phoenix’s. F-18’s David thinks. All I know is they make one H..of a noise.

Next morning the weather reports are not favourable for crossing Gulf till next Sunday or later so have gone back for the next night to Panama City and fill up with water etc. Dinner out at the “Bayou Joe’s Crab Shack” with friends Wilma and Ozzie from “Boomer” .They also fly a Canadian flag and are from Brockville. Good food and interesting stories of previous trips they have made. Up in the morning to head for next stop “St.Joes”.

St. Joes is about 5 miles down a narrow channel from the ICW on the Gulf. Good marina and groceries at the Wiggly-Piggley and it was Veterans Day so much was closed and this town doen’t have much to start with but are trying hard with new construction coming on.
Again lot’s of chartering boats for sports fishing.

Got to Apalachicola, Florida and tied up to the River Inn Marina Docks as all other Marinas were full with people waiting to cross over…The pelicans on the pilings are everywhere here not unlike our Canadian geese. Slippery docks!!! But they are great to watch landing and taking off. Our friends “Boomer” showed up also. Lot’s of shrimp boats here and the seafood is the freshest and the best.

We are gathering various other boats who will also make the overnight passage of 20-22 hours at 8 knots to “Tarpon Springs” all weather permitting. The point of departure will now be “Carabelle”.We will need 24-36 hours of north to north east winds under 10 MPH or NO WINDS!!!

All the boats going are getting revved up for a rendezvous before starting this part of the great adventure.


We decided against the overnight trip as the winds are still not favourable. Went to the Dixie Theater for their 2nd Annual Jazz and Blues festival. Turned out to be Zydeco music which is high energy, smokin’ Louisiana folk or Creole music for foot tapping or dancing as it’s impossible to sit still. (They gave us cushions so as not to get blisters on our butts as we didn’t get off ours).Must say we loved the music and had a good time listening and learning.

Took off early at 7:00 am to head for an all day run to Stenachie across the bay on the big bend. Got as far as Carrabelle and decided we wouldn’t have enough light when arriving so are here waiting for Wednesday weather break. The gulf is currently 10-20 MPH winds northeast and north but waves are 5-8 feet and 7 seconds between. Guess What? We are waiting.

Finally have a nice marina with a lounge with pool table so David and I got beaten up by “Boomer” and “Single Minded” in a Canadian Boat Tournament. Thinking they may have hustled us.We finished with happy hour and discussed when we will all take off and which destination.

Finally have internet after a long time so good to catch up with everyone again. Enjoying all your comments. Seems if I use David’s PC I can send many photos together. When using our Mac G3 we can only do one at a time. AOL software is not as up to date for OS 9.2. Will keep on trying on both machines and will post to the web site at www.gpslocations.ca.

Must mention the beautiful Dolphins played with us again in the St.George Sound coming to Carrabelle, and they are incredibly entertaining leaping in pairs as many as 5 together.

Looping gang…Ted, Pat, David, Susan