December 3, 2017 - Part 1 North Gulf Coast to Panama City, FL

Got to 

We spent a little over a week in Mobile getting the engine valves adjusted and the first shot at getting some electrical repairs done.  We've had a burning smell coming from the starboard engine area and though we suspected the alternator might be the source of the smell, didn't know what was causing this in the alternator itself.  Found out the house batteries were dead.  We got new batteries and thought we were ready to go.  No such luck, of course.  Took 2 more tries to get it all repaired, as you will see as you read this posting.....sigh

We rented a car for the week we we're there and I was out and about everyday.  An errand here, laundry and provisioning there, and shopping everywhere!  Got to do a lot of Christmas shopping, me shopping and just plain old browsing shopping,  I was a happy, happy camper, unlike Ken who was back at the boat, working with the mechanic.  During our stay we celebrated Thanksgiving with the marina hosting a luncheon the day before.  Lots of our looper buddies were there and met a few new ones.  The food and company was great.

We finally left Mobile early in the morning on the 25th and headed for the North Gulf Coast and into the ICW.  Crossing Mobile Bay was smooth, as was the rest of the journey through Alabama and into Florida.  We stopped for lunch at LuLu's in Gulf Shores, AL.  LuLu is Jimmy Buffet's sister and the atmosphere did all Parrot Heads proud.  Good day on the water till we left....the burning smell came back and so began our second attempt at repairs.  Turns out the mechanics that we worked with had multiple locations so we made plans to meet them in Orange Beach, AL on Monday the 27th.  We decided to wait out the weekend and spent two days on the hook in Ingram Bayou.

Beautiful sunrise greeted us as we left Mobile, AL

Gulf Shores, AL on the ICW - This sign greeted us as we disembarked Independence to eat at LuLu's.  Had not seen an alligator, don't want to see one and I sure at Heck would not feed one!!!!

Ingram Bayou was a fantastic anchorage.  Not only did we meet up with Chuck and Margaret on Francesca, we got to see quite a few dolphins.  I took a bunch of pics but again my timing was way off but did manage to a pretty decent shot below.

The weather was gorgeous so we launch Sparkler and took a spin around the bayou.  We even spotted an eagle and much to my amazement I got a good pic of him.  All in all a very relaxing weekend.

Chuck and Margaret headed out a day ahead of us and got this gorgeous picture Independence at sunrise.  I love the pinks.

With our great weekend behind us we headed to the marina and met the mechanics, and it was determined that we needed a new battery combiner.  We ordered one and made plans to meet them in Pensacola, FL for installation.  During our stay here, I captured a pic a great blue heron.  Beautiful in flight and just as neat standing still.

So with that we headed to Pensacola, FL, where I and my brother were born.  Dad and Mom lived there when my Dad, a Marine pilot, was stationed at the Naval Base.  I had been back briefly a couple of years ago to check out potential loop boats with Ken but it was a one day fly in, race to marinas, look at boats, race back to airport and head home.  I was looking forward to seeing the city and sites.  But first we had to get the final electrical repairs completed.  With battery combiner in hand, the mechanics installed it.  But low and behold, it was not the issue....sigh.  Turns out it was the alternator all along.  Ken being the prepared captain that he is, had a spare alternator on board.  Hours later and fingers crossed everything appeared to be good as gold.  No more burning smells, alternator output steady and batteries still charged.  Yoohoo!!!

Our first adventure was to go the Pensacola Air Naval Museum.  It was incredible to see all the carefully restored aircrafts and learn their key contributions to the defense and security of our country.  As well as in defense of our allies.  My favorite exhibit was for Marine One as my dad was assigned to HMX-1 and flew for Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy.

The next couple of days we roamed all over downtown with Roofus in tow.  Probably not her favorite thing to do but the weather was great and she needed fresh air.  One of our favorite stops was Joe Patti's Fish Market.  We rode our bikes so Roofus, gratefully got to stay home that time.  Everything looked so good but knowing we had limited freezer space, we opted for what we could cook that night and got red fish, flounder and crayfish, as well as the fixin's to prepare it all.  That night we fried the fish, boiled the crayfish and added some shrimp we had on board to enjoy a seafood feast.  We got to also enjoy the leftovers for the next couple of days.  Roofus was a happy puppy.  We may have left her back on Independence for the shopping but she got to enjoy the feast too.  :)

Pensacola, FL - We decided this was going to be our Christmas pic but didn't quite get any further.  

The next day was December 1st, marking 7 months into the loop.  We headed to Fort Walton Beach city docks for an over night stay and got to see our first manatee since we entered Florida.  I had a terrible time catching a pic of them but Chuck and Margaret came to my rescue.  They captured this neat pic of one coming up for a breath.

The next day we headed for Panama City where we anchored out at Shell Island.  I had heard this was a not to be missed spot and we were not disappointed.  In fact this is probably my favorite place we have stayed so far.  It is uninhabited and only accessible by boat.  The sands are a pristine and white with all kinds of shells to hunt for.  We were going to stay one night but ended up doing two and didn't want to leave.  

Canal cut in the ICW on our way to Panama City, FL - Similar to our Dismal Swamp but wider though not as pretty

Shell Island, Panama City, FL - Ready to launch Sparkler and head to shore

With Sparkler secure and life vests safely stowed, we begin exploring Shell Island.

Wasn't sure how Roofus was going to react to the beach but she was a trooper.  Walked more than she had in a few months.  This is one of my favorite pics with her little paw prints trailing behind in the sand!!!!  (see the arrows)

We walked the beach and found some wonderful shells.  I plan to make a keepsake with them and currently working through the design.  Roofus enjoyed warming herself in the sun and so did we.  With sandy feet and paws we eventually made it back to Sparkler then Independence, to enjoy the rest of our seafood feast, a beautiful sunset and an extra treat, as the was a super moon that night.

Independence on the bayside of Shell Island

Shrimp, crayfish, cheese and drinks. Prefect repass for island living.

A beautiful sunset and a super moon all in one evening.

 

The next day we headed back to the island so we could see the sunrise without Roofus (who slept in).  When we got to shore, I found this starfish that had washed up overnight.  It was quite dead so I picked it up so I preserve it.  Turns out I did not have anything needed to preserve it so used Tito's vodka.  Believe it or not ,it worked.  If this starfish had been alive it most likely would have died a happy little drunk.

The sunrise was breathe taking.  Below, though hard to see, the sea shells glittered like stars in reflection of the sun.

Later that day a fog rolled in so quickly, it was actually eerie.  We could see it coming and it blocked out everything in its way.....the island, the sun, the bay, the city.  If anybody remembers         the movie "The Fog", it was very remnant of that and momently crossed my mind that it was a             killer fog.  But happily it wasn't and move out as quickly as it came.

Our last night gave us another wonderful sunset that went from golden oranges to pink blues.

Our next stop is Port St. Joe where we planned to stage for our overnight trip across the gulf.  At the end would be Tarpon Springs, FL where we intended to stay for a month to enjoy Christmas with family and ring in 2018.  We had been very lucky to have no significant delays so far in our adventure but as you will read in Part II, the sea gods have to have their way every once in awhile, if only to remain us we are not in control of our destiny on the water....

PS from Roofus:

Life has been good.  No rough seas, I got a new baby (note the orange, green footed chew toy by my side), I had seafood dinners, I got to play on the beach and warm in the sun.  And as always got lots of hugs and kisses from my humans.

All fun and exciting though I will admit my chew toy lasted only about a day till I could rip all its stuffing out and kill the squeaker.  Score one for me.  Though I must admit, I used to be able to conquer my chew toys in 20 minutes flat but hey, I am almost 15 years old.  So really, scored one for the OLD dog!!!