New Orleans to Port St. Joe - Nov 2010 - Part V

11/29/10. Bear Point and that area along the Alabama Canal from Mobile Bay through Perdido Bay and Pensacola Bay is delightful. There’s something about the nature and people that is very attractive. And it’s not too far away, some 3 days on Talisman. Even shorter if and when we do upgrade to another, faster vessel. We explored Ingram’s Bayou, Bear Point Marina and its live-aboard community and Robert’s Bayou across the way, Holiday Harbor Marina on Perdido Key, and Palafox Marina at historic downtown Pensacola. We have yet to experience Wolf Bay (along the AL Canal), Big Lagoon (connecting Perdido Bay and Pensacola Bay), and Bayou Chico (western side of Pensacola), as well as restaurants like Pirate’s Cove (yes, we know, it comes highly recommended).

Once we left Bear Point Marina in Lower Alabama (along AL Canal), we could smell Home. This part we had done before and it was straightforward. There aren’t too many anchorages or marinas on the first leg of this trip back home. The first 50 nm include Mobile Bay, Dauphin Is. and then the beginning of the Barrier Islands facing the Mississippi Coast. Given the SE winds to 15 kts., protection in Mobile Bay and on the leeside of Dauphin Is. did not seem sufficient. We did a good 6.5 kts, spiking to 6.7 kts. for much of the 8 ½ hr. run. That night we anchored on the north eastern side of Petit Bois Is., snuggling in a crescent with depths of 10-16 ft. about 1/3 mi. from shore, and that has worked for us before. We were expecting winds to kick up to 20 kts.; so, we raised our mizzen, laid out 70’ of chain + 45’ line, and set the anchor alarm. Coordinates: N 30° 12.338’ and W 88° 26.593’, southwest of marker R 17.

The next day we realized the predicted strength of winds did not materialize. Nevertheless we were attentive to weather info and changes as we headed for Cat Is.’s northern shore for anchorage that evening. We passed Horn and Ship islands with a favorable current so that we were doing 6.8 kts. most of the day. On a whim we decided instead to change course to North and stay at the Long Beach Marina. This would be the last night of the trip and we wanted a good fish dinner and the marina amenities including WiFi as a prize. We knew that the final day of our trip, next day, would be a good 12 hrs. to our home port of South Shore Harbor Marina in New Orleans.

Leaving early from Long Beach we passed Cat Is. and aimed for the Rigolets that connects the Gulf of Mexico with Pontchartrain Lake and New Orleans. After clearing the several bridges that mark that passage, we made it to harbor on a refreshing close haul that delivered us through sunset and late evening straight into our Harbor. It was exciting to sail at night. We had only done it once before: Destin Harbor (see previous blogs of this trip), where the markers weren’t lighted and the depth sounder kept going off, and using Gina as a lookout on the bow. Interpreting lights and using the chart plotter to guide you (radar not necessary this time) was a change to using the naked eye. We’ll have more occasions to sail at night when we cross from the Panhandle of Florida to the peninsula’s western coast. But that’s for a next trip, whether on Talisman or another boat.

All in all, this was a great trip, notwithstanding the cold spells, the nasty winds at times, and having to change plans here and there. But there were many amazing sunrises and sunsets, beautiful places and friendly people to more than compensate for the less attractive spells. With every new trip, one always learns something new, and builds a little more confidence with the boat, functionality, and one’s ability to adapt. We sailed further this time and will sail further next time. All in the name of adventure and curiosity at what lies around the next corner.

SUMMARY OF TRIP ITINERARY:

South Shore Harbor Marina, New Orleans, LA (HOME) -- Cat Is., MS -- Petit Bois Is., MS -- Ingram Bayou, AL -- Holiday Harbor Marina, Perdido Key, FL -- Palafox Marina, Pensacola, FL -- Destin Harbor anchorage, FL -- Panama City Marina, St. Andrew Bay, FL -- Port St. Joe Marina, St. Joseph Bay, FL -- Bay Point Marina, Big Lagoon (St. Andrew Bay), FL -- Rocky Bayou (Choctawhatchee Bay), FL -- Grassy Point (Foot of Pensacola Beach Bridge) Sta. Rosa Sound, FL -- Bear Point Marina, Lower AL (AL Canal) -- Petit Bois Is., MS -- Long Beach Marina, MS -- HOME

HIGHLIGHTS:

Ingram Bayou and Rocky Bayou anchorages -- Palafox Marina & art market in Pensacola historic downtown -- Port St. Joe & Dockside Cafe -- shark wrestling with prey -- dolphins -- live-aboard community at Bear Point Marina -- sunsets -- Alabama Canal & Perdido Bay