Destin, Fl. / Sat 8.20

SATURDAY.   8.20 Destin, FL.  
My accomplishments today are not to be measured with a ruler, but with a smile.  i spent way too much time trying to connect with the internet.  Finally i called the water taxi and came over to Boshamps Resaurant to use their wireless....    NOW for some good food.

I got out early yesterday, off the boat – IN DESTIN, FL – and road my bike around the harbor.  I was looking to #1.) get my forwarded mail.  (I forwarded it from Kemah to Pensacola / missed it / then forwarded it again to Destin – got it.) all Bills.  #2.) find West Marine to see how far and how difficult to transit.  (not too bad)  it’s about a mile + once you hit land.  I can make a pretty good haul on my bike.  #3.) find internet password so I can post to the Blog.  IF you are reading this – then I found the internet.  Now it’s 7:30pm and I’m back on the boat, all ‘Frenched up.’

Note: when I was – years ago – on Craig and Angela’s boat we ran across MANY different peoples down in the Caribbean Islands.  Lots were friendly, but the ‘special cases’ were usually the French.  They would anchor almost on top of you and never apologize.  We had one couple who stood out on their deck and yelled at us, “F--k You, we are French!”  (sorry for the language) Also the ‘Europeans’ would have different codes of modesty and un-dress.  They would be totally naked on deck taking baths, showering and shaving “their business.”  So, tonight after riding my bike for hours and miles, I took a bath in the cockpit – like a Frenchman.  Now I’m down below in the salon typing away……  (that’s probably TMI)

TUESDAY 8.16 Pensacola:    Y.E.S. Yacht Equipment Service, Kemah, came to my rescue.  Jim Glandt / the owner, drove his truck from Kemah, TX to Pensacola Florida and put in NEW heavy duty stainless hydraulic hoses to replace the ones that were blowing off the auto pilot steering – during the original crossing.  Plus, Jim installed the new Hynautic Steering valve.  He got to the boat at 6pm and left at 7:15pm.   THANKS JIM!   *it’s worked great since.  Great Customer Service!!!!

WEDNESDAY 8.17 Pensacola:  I untied from the deserted marina in Pensacola and motored back to our original anchorage behind Pensacola beach.  (where we limped in the first night from sea)  About an hour or so and not too stressful.  I just had to concentrate on not losing control of the boat when I released it from the Marina dock in a breeze and then ‘how to’ anchor.  Fortunately there was no one watching at either location so I could take my time and relax.  (not so in Destin)  The Wednesday night anchorage gave me a quick, close departure to the outlet for yesterday’s sail to Destin.  I was up before daylight.  made coffee and ran through my list of all the things I needed to do, what might go wrong, what was my plan to overcome any obstacles…   Stop – take a breath. 

THURSDAY 8.18 Pensacola Bay:  I got the anchor up with no mishap.  So here I am at first light motoring out of the Pensacola Bay into the Gulf of Mexico for a ten mile adventure.  (3 miles offshore)  How tough can this be?  I was in charge, relaxed and the Captain of my little world….   I even took a few photos while slowly navigating out the channel.  Then upon departure from the last mark of the channel I turn toward Destin and there is a massive cloud directly in my line.  Not close to, but directly in front of me and coming my way.  (quick Dave, tell me again how to double reef the main?)  I thought the clouds were ‘pretty’ so I took a photo of them.  THEN I noticed a waterspout in my path.  (sorta like a Tornado, but with a cute name because It’s at sea)  Remember this is my direct line to Destin.  No worries.  I got some nice cool air and a breeze, but by the time I reached that spot it had cleared up. 

Finally I’m starting to relax again.  Then about 10:30a I had the fuel filter clog and the engine died.  Fortunately, this has happened before and I have practice.  Well, this day I had it happen three times.  So I’m a lot faster now.  I can change the filter, bleed the fuel line and start up again pretty quick when necessary.  (like when you are only 3 miles offshore and drifting toward it.  Also when there are two dredging rigs steaming toward you and a shrimp boat is circling.)  

I guess I lost an hour or two messing with fuel filters all told.  But I made it to Destin, “where the entrance can be a problem” before dark.  I came back up on deck after one of my fuel adventures to find a message from Craig, “they are having a party in Destin tonight.  Airplane flyovers, and fireworks.”  All right in the sleepy little quiet harbor I was going to.  My bubble shrunk and took on a new dimension.  Now instead of fighting my way into the anchorage, I would also be dodging hundreds of other small boats, jet skis and drunks.  Not just drunks, a Poker Run of Cigarette Boats.  The fast, loud, angry speed boats of men with something to prove...   ('overcompensating?')

*note: the turns at the bridge are very small and very tight with multiple boats going every direction.  The pucker factor was level 7 the entire time I was entering the anchorage, but then it widened out and boats thinned. 

Dodge Boat Crazy!  (this view at the tight turn)

Fortunately, even though there were hundreds of eyes watching, they were all looking up at world war II fighter planes buzzing the harbor while I tried to do a graceful job of anchoring.  All I can say is that nobody yelled at me and I didn’t hit anything.  The boat is still here today and I’m  busy picking up tools and parts, putting things back into their spot.

FRIDAY 8.19 Destin:  10am.  Now I’m going to depart the vessel, attempt to find a way to send this Blog Post and then find the UPS store where my mail (bills) are being held for me.  Find the west marine for more fuel filters!  Maybe find some food?  Is laundry too much to do?  I guess I’ll stay here a few days and then head east.  *by ‘move’ I am referring to my never ending quest to move East and South along the Florida coast.  I will take the boat.  I will continue to work my way around.  This is the goal.

Warmest, from Florida in August,   -Captain Skip in Destin

PS.  I stopped in Boshamps and the Dock House after West Marine and the UPS store.  Special kudos to Crystal the Taxi driver for helping me with my bike both directions.  (don’t try this without a bike!)

Pss.  I plan to do some boat chores in Destin and then next week sometime head out for Panama City.  No calendar dates even proposed for a departure.  Please keep those cards and letters coming in…    xo    s/v Prodigal in transit

I also stopped at the Boathouse for happy hour Friday.