So, the plan was to leave Pensacola last Thursday, but the marine forecast was still no bueno, so we stayed another day.  Awoke to sunny skies, but a super brisk 35 degrees that felt even colder because it was very breezy.  Irrespective, we bundled up and took a long walk along the waterfront and around the town.  Although I couldn’t feel my nose, it was beautiful out and so nice to see the sun.  Did some additional chores, made cookies and banana bread.  Handed them out to boaters we met, and our very nice harbor master, Drew.  Hosted a couple (John and Kris Dony–who’d just bought an Island Packet 37 to go cruising in the Bahamas this Winter) for cocktails.

Friday morning, finally departed in beautiful, sunny weather and super calm seas!  Crossed over Pensacola Bay, back in the GICW and to Spectre Island anchorage.

Beautiful anchorage in the path of the runway for Hurlburt Field, a huge Air Force base.  We were treated to numerous fly byes by……….

**Note from Mike inserted here:

This was such a bitchen anchorage!  We had all these cool aircraft flying by us…banking right overhead for their final approaches to the base’s runway.  We later learned that Hurlburt Field was home to Special Ops flying groups…the plane in the below photos was an AC-130 Spectre gunship…the one you want overhead if you were an infantryman/woman (see?  I can be nice here) on the ground somewhere getting pounded.  These planes are equipped with a 107mm Howitzer, 30mm Canons, and about every other cool thing that could possibly be shipped aboard a combat plane.  Along with the Spectre, were numerous CV-22 Ospreys, and C-130’s.

Lovely sunset that night.

Late in the afternoon, a Mainship 43 came into the anchorage.  They anchored close to the island and plunked a stern anchor into the sand.  They brought chairs onto the beach and had a camp fire that night.  We thought about crashing it, but didn’t.  As we were leaving the next day, we pulled up next to their boat and introduced ourselves.  Lovely couple from Destin (John & Deb Gooley).  We exchanged information.  Here is their boat as we were leaving.

Another note from Mike:

Shortly after dark, we heard “Retreat” played from the loudspeakers on the base, followed by the National Anthem.  Although we were probably 150 yards or so from the Mainship, we could hear the woman beautifully singing the anthem along with the horns.  Reminiscent of our slip back in San Pedro, where we would hear Ft. McArthur’s bugles every Mon-Friday at 4:30 PM, and then again at 9PM (Taps), this brought a lump to our throats…it was awesome.  So glad we had the fortune of being born here…

Saturday brought another beautiful day with calm seas.  Gorgeous trip along the Intracoastal with interesting homes, condos and marinas along the way.

Arrived into Destin Harbor after a short trip around 12:30.  Initial impression was that the place looked like Disneyland!  This is my friend Betty’s favorite, so I really wanted to see it.

Tons of restaurants, bars, tour boats, etc.  We went almost to the back of Destin Harbor, which was mainly comprised of beautiful homes, and dropped the hook in about 12 feet of water.  I was concerned about drunk boaters coming by and throwing their wakes, but folks really kept their speeds to the posted minimum.  I hopped in the dinghy and did some recon.  I saw a tiki bar boat like they have in Newport Beach!

The harbor is lovely.

We ultimately took the dinghy in between a couple restaurants and beached her on the sand.  Walked to Boshamps for a drink, then Marina Cafe for dinner.  Were treated to a stunning sunset!

The next morning, we found a place to leave our dinghy further into Destin Harbor (about 15 minutes from our boat), and walked to the local Winn Dixie for groceries.  Not unusually, we got more than what was on our list, and had to Uber back to the dinghy as we couldn’t carry it all.  Dropped Mike off ashore to walk to West Marine.  Then, took the dinghy toward the Gulf of Mexico.  Was so pretty out, decided to dinghy into the Gulf of Mexico.  Once we got through the washing machine of the harbor entrance, had totally flat and calm seas.  Boated down Destin Beach for a bit.  Was gorgeous out.  Was so cool to be boating on the Gulf of Mexico!  A first.

On our way back to the boat, were treated to a fabulous show by some dolphins in the harbor.  I never tire of watching them.  Such awesome creatures!

Came back to the boat and got dressed for dinner.  The folks we met at Spectre Island invited us to do dinner at their favorite local haunt with some of their friends.  They came by Forever Friday on their 19 foot Boston Whaler, took a tour of our girl, then gave us a ride to the restaurant.  They took a couple sunset pics.

Had a great dinner with lovely folks, two of whom (JD & Donna) are living aboard their Island Packet 37 and plan to take off early December to go cruising.  Deb and John (from the Mainship, middle couple on the right) plan to take off in March to do the Loop.

Departed Destin Harbor at 7:15 with plans to rendezvous with Heartbeat at the mouth of the Gulf.  We decided to forego the GICW for our next leg and take the gulf.  I really miss deeper water and setting a course for a straight shot.  Heartbeat got there around 8:00 and we headed east.  Had a little chop for about an hour, then the seas settled down and we had a lovely ride.  Pulled into the opening to go to Panama City, hung a right and anchored behind Shell Island.  Dinghied about a mile west and went ashore for a bit for a walk.  Saw lots of debris and evidence of Hurricane Michael.  Beautiful white sand beach on the gulf side.  It was pizza night on Forever Friday, which is always a good thing.

Next morning, we pulled up anchor and dropped it again a couple miles west.  Threw a couple chairs and 4 cold beers in the dinghy and beached it at the island.  Walked across to the gulf and enjoyed the beautiful white sand beach for a few hours.  Took a nice walk and enjoyed the sand in our toes.

Heather and Kent of Heartbeat.  Life is good.

Pulled up anchor again around 1:00 and took off for Wetappo Creek to anchor for the night.  Sailed past a lot of the devastation of Michael which was so disheartening.  Will update later with pics from that.  So thankful and blessed to be safe and on this trip.  It’s Happy Hour, so we will be toasting all those impacted by the hurricanes, and the horrible fires in California.  Cheers.  M&M