SAUL CREEK TO PANAMA CITY 4/6/15

Saul Creek was a beautiful and private anchorage.  Its only a day away from our new home port! We will remember that when we want to just get away from the hustle bustle of life!  We headed out of Saul Creek at sunrise, I took the first watch.  Our route took us up the GICW to the Gulf County Canal to Port St. Joe, and outside in the gulf to St. Andrews Pass.  We listened to coast guard interaction with a vessel in distress all morning.  It was a 27 foot sailboat that was capsized, off of Cape San Blas, which was approximately 10 miles from where we were.  We spotted a military helicopter and listened to the Coast Guard Cutter that was in route to the boater.  It was so sad to listen and we were hopeful the sailor/sailors were okay.  As we were approaching the St. Andrews Pass we saw a navy boat with divers on board coming in.  We figured they were involved with the rescue.  The news aired the story about the incident.  The sailor was rescued by a navy helicopter and later released from the hospital.  He must have hit the reef coming out the inlet so hard as to put a hole in his boat, then went down.  So sad, but glad he was okay.
We caught a Spanish Mackerel, so yum, had fresh fish dinner planned.

 We watched several very large military jets fly overhead, some in formation.  F16s and F18s.  Then Ed spotted something in the water.

In the mid-day sun, we couldn't make out what it was!  But it was big!  It had the shape of a huge mantaray, or something!  We slowed down and circled around it, I was taking pictures with my phone. 

As we approached it, (we got close), we saw that it was a large "tarp" with the 4 corners tethered down.  Hmmm.  Oh crap!  Perhaps its a target of some sort for the military jets to practice with!  And here we are, dumb little sailboat, circling and circling and getting closer and closer!  10 extra points if you get the sailboat!! We revved the engine up and got back on course.

Dolphins playing in the bow wake

We got to St. Andrews Pass around 3:00 pm, and decided we were not quite ready to go to the marina and establish our new home.  So we found a very nice anchorage off Shell Island just past the Tyndall Air Force Base and in beautiful clear water.  Anchored and marveled at how pretty it is here!

Coming around the inlet at Shell Island

View from our anchorage, a walkway goes over to the gulfside

The following morning I practiced more in the dinghy, trying to get comfortable starting and running the outboard.

We dinghied over and walked the beach for a couple of hours.  There were lots of shells and driftwood.  

As the morning progressed we watched pontoon boat (rentals) parade in, non-stop.  Then came the jet skis (rentals) non-stop.  The beautiful pristine beach was now wall to wall pontoon and fishing boats and jet skis!! And people everywhere!! It must still be spring break!

Most of the people were young adults, college and high school aged.  After lunch, it was time to go. We motored over through St. Andrews Bay to the marina.  

St. Andrews Marina

Our slip was waiting for us.  Got all tied up and secured.

 

We have just completed our first real sailing cruise!  Although it sure didn't go as I pictured.  But we came home with the perfect boat to continue this adventure next season.  Now its summer fun time, heading to NOLA JazzFest to meet up with our buddies Steve and Erica, and then spend much of the summer in Arkansas, playing with our children, grandchildren and Parrothead Phriends!!

See ya in October, as we begin our next Sailing Manatee Adventure!  Thank you EVERYONE for following us and sharing our adventures!