Pensacola Florida to Biloxi Mississippi

It had been a month since we arrived at Panama City Marina and now it was time to leave. Sometimes you are ready to move on and other times you wish you could stay a little longer. But we still have responsibilities back in Texas and friends to go see. Also our son Cody and his wife Bizza will be having another baby soon and we need to be there for the birth. So that means it is time to untie the dock lines and head West.

We had met new friends on the pier we were on. One couple was from Waterford Harbor our neighboring marina in Kemah. They had left 10 years ago to go cruising to the islands and have been stuck in Panama City. They hope to be in the Bahamas next year.

So we said our goodbys to everybody and before the sun rose the next morning we were gone. We were welcomed with a beautiful sunrise on the Gulf of Mexico. We had a good weather window with 5 to 15 knot winds and 1 to 2 foot seas. The only problem was the wind was out of the West and on the nose. So that meant motoring all the way to Pensacola. On this passage which was not bad at all every animal except the bird (Missy) and Sacha (dog) got motion sick. Poor Sonic (cat) looked so bad Elaine thought he may not make it. But eventually most fell asleep and stayed that way till we were Pensacola. The trip across the Gulf took a couple extra hours because of the wind and tide on the nose.

The plan was to be at anchor off Redfish Point before sundown. We left Panama City at 5:00am and had the anchor down and set at 8:08pm, seven minutes before the sun set. Love it when a plan comes together. A while later a power boat seemed to be a little close so we moved about 50 yards to a better anchoring spot with a better view. The next morning a man on a sailboat near us decided to have a swim in the nude. (must have been French) Well Elaine and Anne were doing their best to get a look. After his swim he paraded around for a bit in his "cockpit" before putting his shorts back on.

Later in the day we decided to get a slip over at Palafox Marina. They give a Boat US discount, have floating docks, and I have known the Harbormaster Ron for about 6 years. Jim B. called Ron ahead of time and warned him we were coming. Ron was waiting for us at the fuel dock. We filled up and then settled into a slip.

While crossing the bay towards Palafox Marina I got a call on the VHF radio from Dick and Sammie on s/v Island Time. They are friends from Watergate Marina in Kemah. They had seen our AIS signal. They were headed to the Navy base marina. We set up a time to meet, have dinner, and swap ole sailing stories that only sailors can tell. They rented a car a couple days later and came to our boat for a visit. After swapping a few stories about our adventures we got Greg and Anne from Nauti - Gal
and headed to a restaurant for diner. They had a small car so it took two trips to get everybody there and back. We went to Nicks Boat House sat outside and had a million dollar view of Pensacola Bay. The food was very good, but the good time of friends together was even better.

Joyce and Fred Taylor came by to see us at Palafox Marina. We decided to rent a car for a few days to see Pensacola so Fred dropped us off at the airport. Once we picked up the car we took a trip to Pensacola Beach, Wal-Mart, the historical districts and the Naval Aviation Museum. If you have never been to the NAS Museum then you are missing a GREAT museum. You need to spend two days there to see all the different things and attractions it offers.

Finally it was time to leave Pensacola. We untied the dock lines and headed West. The first night we anchored in Ingrams Bayou in Orange Beach AL. The anchor set good the first time and never moved again until we left the next day. Elaine and I dropped the dinghy and did a little exploring up the bayou. There were a few other boats anchored, couple jet skis, and kayaks floating down the bayou. I think we also found an area that looked like it could have been used for the Creature of the Black Lagoon. We had a few late evening storms that came through and then a wonderful  smooth night.

The next morning we had some coffee along with a spectacular sunrise. Once we pulled up anchor we headed West on the ICW. Our next stop is Dauphin Island. We were going to stop at Lulu Buffett's Place but decided against it at this time. Maybe next time we will have lunch or dinner there.

We arrived at Dauphin Island and went into the small harbor but decided not to anchor there due to the small size of it. There were also storms predicted for the night and we wanted more room for safety. So we went out of the harbor and anchored off the North side of the island hoping the wind would stay anywhere from s/w to s/e. I set the anchor and put out 100ft of chain along with a bridle. The anchor set solid. The storms rolled in and the wind shifted from the N/W and blew in at 38 knots with thunder, lightning, and the waves went from smooth to four foot breakers. This lasted about 3 hours or so. I stayed in the cockpit monitoring the anchor set and vessel movement. During the storm Elaine was below trying to cook us dinner. I was able to finally take a shower and go to bed about 1:00am. The rest of the night was very smooth.

Early the next morning we pulled up the anchor and headed to Biloxi. I called Pt. Cadet Marina and set up some dockage for us and Nauti-Gal. We arrived late in the afternoon and the dock master was waiting to grab lines. He placed us on the T-head of pier E. This is a great location if you ever come here by boat. The cost here is very reasonable ($1.00 ft) and then drops down half price after three days.  The dogs were very happy to have real grass to use the bathroom on. Hilde had not pooped since Pensacola so she was ready to explode.

We heard Margaritaville Casino had $2.00 margaritas during there happy hour. So we all got cleaned up and hopped on the trolley and headed to happy hour. After a few margaritas and a little dinner it was back to the boats. The next day we went and visited the famous Biloxi Lighthouse and the Biloxi Visitors Center. The visitors center is more of a history museum of the area. We enjoyed it very much. It is a must see and it is free, which is great when you are on a boat. We decided to go back to Margaritaville have a couple $2.00 margaritas, dinner and try our luck. They had given each of us $10.00 in free slot play. Elaine turned hers into about $14.00 and I walked away with about $7.00. Of course Elaine went by the gift shop and turned hers into a t-shirt and cap. She had to throw in a little extra before she could leave the store.

The next day we were going to head out, but a lot of storms formed and headed our way. We decided to stay another night and maybe one more. It was a good thing we decided to wait, there were at least two water spouts on Mississippi Sound where we were headed. So we are still here at Pt. Cadet Marina (Friday 8/9/13) and may be one more night.

Just keep an eye on the SPOT to see where we are.

Still at Panama City Municipal Marina

We are still here at Panama City Municipal Marina. Elaine and I have spent time with my mother and John. They have been showing us all around the area. They have also have provided us with transportation to West Marine and Wal-Mart. These are two essential locations.

 We went to Pier Park in Panama City Beach. This is a real neat area of shops, restaurants, and bars located on the with sand beach and clear water. Elaine and Ann did some shopping while Greg and I did some people watching from the benches.

After watching people for awhile, Greg and I found the Back Porch and $2.00 happy hour prices for their drinks. We didn't have to forced to hard. The place was air conditioned and had some great Rum Punches and you could not beat the price.

My mom and John joined us a little while later and back onto the street we went looking for the tourist bargains that are everywhere. (sure).


After shopping it was time for some walking on the beach and in the water. The beaches are sugar white and the water clear with a lite emerald tint.  Even found a reminder of my old job. This is a great job for a deputy.




We were planning to sail to Port St. Joe and to Apalachicola for a visit. Port St. Joe did not have room for two large boats at this time so we decided to stay here and just drive there.

Port St Joe is nice but Apalachicola is a really cool place to visit. We do plan on taking the boat there another time and staying awhile. It is a real old fishing and oyster town. The oysters from here are delicious and are shipped around the world. There is a place here called the Tin Shed. It has every kind of Nautical item you could want both new and used. It looks like they salvage anything useful from ships, yachts and small boats. A great place for and boater to visit.  We did get to stop in and eat at the world famous " Boss Oyster" The food and service was very good. Of course I had grilled oysters. They had a sampler that had four types of there grilled oysters.






Took a day and dinked over to St Andrews to pick up an item for a friend. It is a three mile across the bay and it was a little choppy. But it was a fast but rough ride. Stopped at St Andrews Marina to use there dinghy dock. This area has a lot of charter fishing boats available for any type of offshore or bay fishing you can imagine. Even caught myself a shark while there.






The Panama City Municipal Marina is in downtown Panama City historic district. You can walk from the marina to many shops, restaurants and bars. The area is not a tourist area so the prices are normal and not inflated. They have a lot of different events that go on there to like Friday Fest( hot rods, custom cars, vendors and bands), antique walks, flea markets, farmers market, and seafood market.

Saturday nights the restaurants have live music outside so we walked to Millie's for some cold beer, fellowship with friends and fellow cruisers. The music was good and we stayed till the band quit.

We are paid up till July 25th so we do not have to be in a hurry. But we are thinking about leaving and heading to Pensacola between Friday the 19th to Monday the 22nd.

Right now there is another thunder storm raining all over us. At least the boat is clean.

Wedding at Panama City, Florida

We said good by to Joyce and Fred Taylor from s/v Neon Moon, pulled up
anchor and headed to Palafox Marina in Pensacola to get a slip for a couple nights and refuel before heading across the Gulf to Panama City, Florida.

Right before we entered the marina a storm with high wind gusts hit. So I called the marina and told them we were going to let the storm blow by and then we will enter and take a slip. So we did circles for about 15 minutes until the weather cleared and the wind calmed. The Asst. Harbor Master met us at the slip and grabbed lines and assisted until we were secure in the slip. We then helped Greg and Ann on Nauti-Gal into their slip. Palafox Marina is a really nice marina, modern, floating piers, easy access fuel dock, restaurant / bar on site, and located in the heart of the Historical District of Pensacola. There are a lot of nice sights and places to eat within walking distance. After we were secure in the slip it was time to hook up the power and water.

As I went to hook up power I found that one of my power cords had been damaged. It was almost 4:00pm so I called West Marine to see what time they closed on a Sunday. They told me that they closed at 5:00pm, so I told them I was on my way and asked them to wait for me. Greg needed some parts too so we got a cab and arrived at West Marine about 10 minutes before closing. They told me that they were expecting me and was going to wait. Greg and I got our parts and headed back to Palafox to make our repairs. I got the cord fixed and the air conditioners on. Elaine was now happy.

The next day we walked around and the area and found it to be charming with all the historical building restored and occupied.  The area is very dog / animal friendly with lots of green space to walk your dog. Everybody would walk by the marina and down the streets with their dogs on a leash. It was also very easy to get Hilde off the boat here. The marina is also very secure from the general public with self locking gates.

The next day we made a Wal-Mart run for more provisions and a few other thing that we needed. That evening we found a nice bar and grille that had live blues music jam and some great seafood with very reasonable prices. Was definitely not a tourist location.  We got there right before the music started and glad we did, The place was packed before we left with people waiting for tables.

After a good nights sleep we untied the boat, re-fueled and headed to the Gulf of Mexico. We were greeted by Dolphins as we entered the Gulf of Mexico and headed

East to Panama City. We had a good weather window with winds around 10 knots and seas about 1 ft. to 3 ft.. The wind was on the nose of the boat so it was a motor all the way. We have become a trawler...... But we were averaging 7 + knots for the trip, but it is still about 12 hours across the Gulf. The autopilot was acting up so I hand steered all the way. My crew was working very hard too navigating and holding the cockpit cushions down.



We arrived at the Panama City pass from the Gulf into St. Andrews Bay at about 10:00pm. A ship had just come out and the pass was not clear with no other ship traffic. There was no moon yet so the pass was a little dark but it is an easy pass to enter day or night in almost all weather. As we were crossing the bay, the moon popped out and lit everything up. We went across the bay to an anchorage that was recommended on Active Captain. I dropped the hook in about 10 feet of water and it set good. Now it was time for a nice Barefoot Babe Rum drink. The anchorage was smooth and we were only sharing it with Nauti-Gal and a sport fisher that had anchored before us.

The next morning I dinked over to the Panama City Municipal Marina and secured a tie along slip. We then moved Barefoot Babe to the marina and secured her. My mother Mary Ann and her fiancé John met us at the dock. Once we got the boat cleaned and we took a shower, John and Mom took us out to eat a pre-wedding dinner at Peppers Mexican Restaurant. They have great food and margaritas. The margaritas are always 2 for 1 which is really nice since they are so good. We discussed the wedding and they wanted to get married on Saturday at 6:00pm before the sunset. This was Wednesday so we had a few days to get the boat from looking like a cruising boat to looking like a clean yacht with white decks fit for a wedding.

The next few days were taken up clearing the decks of extra fuel
cans, water cans, bikes, lines, and carpets. Then the boat got some really good scrubbing with boat soap and then with magic eraser to brighten things up. Of course we found time to do dinking to some of the locale establishments to have some food and libations. We found Bayou Joe's, a locales establishment, up the Massalina Bayou. It had good food, cold beer and a sassy waitress. It is a shack that is built out over the water of the Bayou and the tables are all outside by the water. Great setting for a sundowner at sunset.

Bayou Joe's has a dock where one boat the size of Barefoot Babe could dock and have dinner or drinks. But you have to go under one of the last bascule bridges left in the state of Florida.

The next day Mon and John wanted to pick up Elaine and I to take us around to see some of the area
and to see their house. They took

us to Mexico Beach for lunch at Toucan's on the beach. They had some very good fried oysters and shrimp. After lunch we did a little gift shopping and in one of the shops I met Jojo a Blue and Gold Macaw. Jojo and I became good friends fast and wanted to leave with me. I told Jojo the ark was full and he could not go. I had to bribe him with a treat to get off my shoulder.

John and Mom also took us over to Port St. Joe to see the town and marina. The town was a cool small Florida town. The marina was a typical Florida marina with fixed piers and short 1/4 finger piers. There was a side tie pier for transients, but there was no room for both Barefoot Babe and Nauti-Gal. So we opted to stay at Panama City for the week.

Saturday the day of the wedding the weather was not looking good for an evening ceremony on the bow of Barefoot Babe. So the wedding couple decided to move it up to 3:00pm to avoid any rain. The sky cleared just for John and Mom.

Once everybody arrived I performed the marriage ceremony for John and Mom on the bow of Barefoot Babe. She wanted to have it done at the dock and not on the bay. It was really a special privilege for me to do this for them. Could feel the eyes getting a tear. But it was beautiful for them and I pronounced them husband and wife to all the friends and family there. What a great day.

Elaine was the photographer and Greg and Ann the witnesses. I signed the marriage license and the are all legal Mr. and Mrs. Beard of Florida.