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.
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. 
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. 
