FL Panhandle
Thankfully, the latest hurricane threat, Hurricane Sara, looks like it will not impact FL as initially expected. We left Fairport, AL, Thurs., Nov. 14, on a choppy sea, heading toward the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway (GIWW) that we will follow for most of the trip to our home in Southwest FL. Saw the first dolphin of the journey! No picture yet, I’m afraid, as those guys are quick!
Officially entered the GIWW at 2:18pm.
Further inland, houses and condos line the shore, some houses appearing new while others more traditional.
We passed Lulu’s, a restaurant/marina/campground owned by Jimmy Buffett’s sister … (you guessed it) … Lulu. A good number of Loopers stop at Lulu’s.
We arrived at The Wharf Marina, Orange Beach, AL, mid-afternoon. This marina is much different than many we’ve stayed at thus far, as it is really more of a resort. It ‘s definitely not a tie-up-to-the-barge-for-the-night kind of experience here.
The area behind the large building (housing the marina office and store as well as condos) in the above picture is a street of shops and restaurants as well as a movie theatre, ferris wheel, and outdoor amphitheater seating 10,000. It is an “entertainment center,” designed to create the sense of a small town or village.
We met up with Tanya and Dan (“Crimson Tug”) that evening (Nov. 14) and had dinner with them and Chuck and Kim. As we sat at the outdoor table, suddenly dance music started playing in the street behind us, lights began flashing, and smoke started billowing out of spots in the median.
Shops, restaurants, and other entities in the area are referred to as being “on property,” or on the land owned by the resort.
At noon on Friday, Nov. 15, we left for Palafox Pier Yacht Harbor in Pensacola, FL. On the way, we saw quite a few crab pot markers outside of the GIWW, lots of beautiful sand dunes,
some (likely) protected areas,
lots of houses and boats,
a fort (Fort Pickens, Santa Rosa Island),
and a coast guard station.
Below are some sights entering the harbor in Pensacola.
On Saturday, Nov. 16, Kim and I went to the farmer’s market downtown and took in some additional sights (Armed Forces Pelicans are part of the Pelicans in Paradise pubic art project) …
… as well as some coffee.
Meanwhile, Dennis and Chuck visited the National Naval Aviation Museum on the nearby base.
Barnstormer WWI planes (barnstorming a one-time occupation of Dennis’s maternal grandfather) to fighter jets
Beautiful dusk and sunset at the marina.
Left for Sandestin, FL, on Sun., Nov. 17 in order to be a little further along the Panhandle before the predicted strong winds and rain arrive. A ship departed the harbor before us. You can see the assist tug beside it (middle of the ship).
We saw several dolphins (managed to got picture of fin!) …
… and many pelicans searching for their dinners. They dive from such heights straight into the water with such velocity that you’d think they’d get a headache!
Many kayakers and boaters enjoy just grounding their boats and experiencing a day on the dunes.
We traveled through Santa Rosa Sound with Santa Rosa Island separating us from the Gulf of Mexico. After the Narrows, we entered Choctawhatchee Bay and, specifically, then Horseshoe Bayou to the Baytowne Marina.
The marina is a part of Sandestin Golf and Beach Resort, and its design is somewhat similar to The Wharf at Orange Beach but much larger in scope.
There is something for everyone, it seems, from sport fishing and float plane rides to ziplines and ice skating amidst shops and restaurants …
… which we found at the end of a walkway with treehouses over wetlands.
Because of foul weather, we stayed at Baytowne Marina longer than we’d anticipated. From the looks of it, this “guy” in the boat across from us has been there a very, very long time.
While it rained all day on Tues., Nov 19, Wed., Nov 20 was clear but very rocky with high wind causing us to postpone our departure until Thurs., Nov. 21. Pictured below are some pieces of data to take into consideration when making float plans.
More Panhandle journey to follow soon.
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