" When Pigs Fly"

Our month at Bay Point Marina came to an end this morning.  Captain Frank used the time well and accomplished several maintenance/repairs that he had been thinking about.  He bit the bullet and had isinglass and canvas work done on the helm.  We had been living with some serious water drainage problems that led to leaks in the salon.  The new covers are a tremendous improvement!  The visibility is better when it’s down and the center pieces in front and back are easily rolled up.  Best part is they are much more water resistant than before. 

He also had new shifter cables installed.  These have simplified life considerably with starting the engines and finding the appropriate gear.  One new little gadget has already relieved considerable stress.  We now have a gage so we know how full the holding tank is for the front head, which is our primary bathroom.  It’s hard to explain how nice it is to know where we sit with the holding tank.  An overflowing tank is not the kind of thing that raises the rating on the fun meter for boating. 

We both really enjoyed Panama City and even checked out the rates for long term stays.  It’s a little pricey but definitely on our “maybe” list for a home for the Pig when the trip is finished. There are many great restaurants, the beaches are awesome and it’s easy to get around town.  There seem to be lots of activities too for grandkids who might come to visit. 

PC folks are serious about protecting the beaches

The Pig at Bay Point Marina, Panama City, FL

sand art on the beach at Panama City

Sign outside J Michael's in Panama City

As much as we enjoyed Panama City we were ready to fire up the engines and head on south this morning but we left with lots of good memories.  We had played in the soft white sand and watched the green waves wash up on the beach.  We found a roadside vendor and bought fresh strawberries and tomatoes and of course, ate lots of good seafood.  We had drinks and appetizers with Lane and Joyce from “Making Memories” our last evening there.  Hope to see them again further south. 

The trip to Port Saint Joe was fabulous.  The weather was warm and the water essentially calm.  There was a little stress with some spots where the water was very shallow but overall, a great day.  We are finally in the Eastern Time Zone and made our first boat ride in the Gulf of Mexico.

This captain said he anchored at high tide....

Boating isn't always fun.  Note sign:  Free boat

 

Port Saint Joe Marina had bikes we could have borrowed and several restaurants within an easy ride.  We checked out the bikes but decided it was better to use our own. We rode our bikes up town to “Peppers”, a Mexican restaurant suggested to us.  The food was good and it was nice to get out on our bikes.

 

Tomorrow we hope to go on to Apalachicola.  It’s wonderful to be back on the water, in flip flops and shorts.  The boat is running well and feeling really solid for the first time in several months.  We hope to be in Marathon by the first of February and plan to enjoy several stops along the way.  2013 is off to a great start for us and we hope it is for you too!

See ya on the Water