Panama City and Windy

---

Kerry and I slept a little later than normal this morning and woke to the sound of Sara's engine starting. I think they wanted to get a head start to Panama City Marina and showers.

The water in Choctawhatchee Bay and through the canal (though the guidebooks call it the Grand Canyon ??!!) to West Bay was smooth. There must have been a favorable current, though, because Sara called to say they were making 7 mph and we got up to 9 mph. Once we got into West Bay, the wind picked up and we didn't travel quite as fast. We did see a few dolphins, and one even jumped along side us like he was trying to get a look at us.

Once under the Hathaway Bridge we were in view of the Panama City Marina. The marina is kind of at the junction of West Bay, St. Andrews Bay, and East Bay. The must have been a regatta in progress as about a dozen sailboats were heading toward us before turning south toward the cut to the Gulf of Mexico.

After we got tied up in the marina and paid for our slips, we made bee lines for the showers. We were a stinky bunch. What wonderful showers, except for the fact that they seemed to be rocking (sea legs joke.)

We had a nice visit from Bill, who I knew from high school and hadn't seen for nearly 40 years. How can that be? Anyway, it was great to catch up, but I hate we forgot to get a picture.

We did some laundry, which, as my kids know, is my life. We ate chinese take-out for supper, a nice change from our usual boating fare, then made plans for tomorrow's travels. The wind is pretty strong tonight from the west, but is supposed to switch to the nnw tomorrow.

---

Photos

Choctawhatchee Bay
sunset last night

Pelicans
relaxing on the channel markers

Posing Pelican
Sara says they seem to like the green cans best

Tree graveyard
entering the ditch between Choctawhatchee and West Bays

Grand Canyon
looking down the ditch

West Bay
west of Panama City

This is for Tommy
See the dinghy davit works great

Comments

[Gena Hixson]

Saturday
Hey guys---Cathy and Bill were heading down 331 to go see Lisa and Greg this morning. Just as they went over the Clyde B. Wells bridge, they saw Off Our Rocker. They wanted to stop, but you don't do that sort of thing on the bridge. Cathy said they "waved" in hopes you'd see them. Of course, they were in their '71 Mustang, so I told Cathy I didn't think you would recognize them riding in that car. I just wish they would have had their camera. I'm still kicking myself for forgetting mine the other nite. Cathy said they looked for Sara and Trevor, but didn't see a sailboat anywhere. Glad all is well---smooth sailing---love ya---gena

[Claudia]

weather
Price of fuel goes up and temperatures go down, Coincidence? According to our weather it,s supposed to be frigid all the way to Miami. Stay warm.