New Orleans to Florida IV

RETURNING TO NEW ORLEANS

Fri 11/16/12
We left C-Quarters Marina and the town of Carrabelle around 10:30 a.m., later than our usual departures because we had to wait for a favorable tide.  The channel would have been deep enough at any time, but dockside is tricky.  Coming in mid-afternoon was fine, but leaving late morning required caution.  At some point in the early morning we felt we were stuck, and we saw other monohulls lean onto their sides.  It's not uncommon to see boats aground, only to be let loose after a few hours. All this put us back in our itinerary.  We had hoped to cross St. George's Sound and Apalachicola Bay and start the inland ICW toward St. Joseph's Bay before dark but that was not to be.  We decided to overnight in Apalachicola, arriving mid-afternoon but only a couple hours before dark.  Given the depth problems at the municipal docks, we chose to stay at Apalachicola Marina (Miller Marine), which has a lay-along dock centrally located for easy access to the town but not so close to the main office and its services.  So it ended up being a good location with electricity and water but without other services yet at the same price as if.  It's too bad that the marina situation is not very satisfactory at Apalachicola, at least for Cats, since the town is quite attractive and interesting.

Sat 11/17/12
We enjoyed coffee at Cafe con Leche, talking with the interesting people that have retired or simply settled  in the area, plus other sailors.  After provisioning we set out for the inland waterway to St. Joseph's Bay.  Another boat whose crew we had met were also headed our way.  So, we loosely traveled together for that day and anchored close by at a location that Capt. Mike and I were targeting.  Leaving at 1 p.m. from Apalachicola, we arrived at an oxbow before White City (after Lake Wimico) around 5:00 p.m. EST.  It was quiet, serene and really cold.  But beautiful.  Capt. Mike set out the anchor and 2 lines aft to run to trees on opposite shores for extra protection (winds and currents) . Location:  29 deg. 50.020' N, 85 deg. 11.380'W.

Sun 11/18 - Wed 11/21/12
We set out around 9:00 a.m. with the goal of reaching St. Andrew's Bay for an overnight at either the State Park near the entrance to the Bay, or Smack Bayou that is near Panama City.  However, our starboard engine began to overheat and plans changed drastically.  First Capt. Mike tried to remedy the situation but we had to detour to Port St. Joe Marina to order a part (impeller) and wait a few days.  We managed on one engine, tied up and began the process of waiting. This is one of the best places at which to wait because this marina has it all plus exceptional friendliness of both staff and fellow boaters.  So, we spent time playing tourist on the marina's bikes, got provisions, did boat chores and waited for the part (see earlier posting on Port St Joe Marina).  The part was supposed to arrive  by Tue but only made it on Wed with a little drama.  But why get into the minutia of it all.  It's now past and Aventura survived that hurdle. (thanks to the mechanical skills of Capt. Mike).

Wed 11/21 - Thu 11/22/12
We got the part in the early afternoon and departed Port St. Joe Marina by around 4:00 p.m.  We decided to skip St. Andrew's Bay and Destin, which we had been to already during this trip (see previous postings).  Instead we motored through the night, entering Pensacola Bay by 11:00 a.m. on the 22nd, crossing through Big Lagoon and Perdido Bay, and entering our anchorage point, Ingrams Bayou, by 1:30 p.m.  Roughly 124 NM in 22 1/2 hrs. This was our first experience doing an overnighter and there were lessons to be learned.  We motored because of wind and wave conditions.  So, we weren't afforded the opportunity of sailing through the night.  That would have been more interesting and more exciting, for sure.  But fooling with radar, getting used to operating in the dark, trying to compensate for the lack of vision and just being all around alert was challenging.  Also, trying to be satisfied with just catnaps rather than a full a night's sleep.  All in all, overnighting would seem to be another tool to use but sparingly; it has advantages and disadvantages.

When we made it into Ingrams Bayou, we were ecstatic and less tired than expected.  Of course a long nap upon arrival helped.  Location:  30 deg. 19.245'N, 87 deg. 33.469' W.  This anchorage is superb.  It's calm, a good weather hole, beautiful and with small coves within the Bayou. So, there's some privacy as well. The greenery is lush and the animals are aplenty.  Deer, dolphins and different birds, like falcons, cranes and pelicans.   Even though popular, the configuration of the Bayou doesn't lend itself to crowding.  Some fishermen and tourists make their way in there but not too many.  A really wonderful place in which to anchor and not too far from New Orleans.

Fri 11/23/12
We continued to relax and catch up on rest at Ingrams Bayou.  Including a bit of rowing to explore and get some exercise, reading and discussing the next plan.  Lovely.

Sat 11/24/12
With knowledge that a freeze was expected for tonight, we decided to go into Barber Marina, nearby on the Alabama Canal (ICW).  We checked in before noon CST, filled up the fuel tanks, pumped out and got a slip.  Barber Marina & Shipyard is a large, modern facility with new everything.  Only here and at Palafox Marina, Pensacola, were we able to get an actual slip that could accommodate our 20.3 ft. beam!  Later we used their courtesy car to visit the town of Elberta's grocery store, some 7-8 mi. away.  There's nothing near the Marina, nothing walking distance.  So, we also used the vehicle to get a bite at Pirate's Cove, a restaurant on the water that has slips for boats and outside seating/activities for families.  At this time of the year, there's hardly any activity except for customers crowding around the bar inside raving about a football game.  The food is bar food served on paper plates, kind of to-go, and okay but not special.  What's special is the character of the place.  It reminds me somewhat of Cooter Brown's of New Orleans with all manner of  things hanging from the ceilings and walls.  Two at Pirate's Cove caught my eye:  "Beauty is in the mind of the beerholder," and "Pirate's Cove we hook 'em and cook 'em."  Amen.