Big Sabine to Fort Walton Beach to Hogtown Bayou

We stayed at Big Sabine for a 2nd night...it was just too pretty to leave. However, as we knew it would, the wind picked up on Thursday afternoon...out of the North, so we weren't very well protected. It was blowing a solid 15 mph, with gusts higher. We had some rough water, but it didn't really affect us other than taking the dogs to shore. It was tricky, because as we went to shore the wind was behind us...no problem...but trying to leave the shore into the wind was a good challenge. We managed it a couple of times, but were ready to leave this part of our stay here behind. 

A favorite spot to relax for a nap...I like this Florida sun...

So, on Friday morning, California Lady, InSpeyered 2 and we all headed out...to a free dock at Fort Walton Beach. It is a city owned dock, with no power, but new docks, water and pump-out facilities. And within walking distance was shopping, restaurants and a nice Publix. It was a nice break from the wind, well protected, and very little wake from passing boats to bother us. We had a nice night...Inspeyered 2 decided to go for Mexican food, while California Lady came over to our boat for some fish stew that Sandy whipped up. A nice relaxing, enjoyable evening.

We think this is some sort of Naval Installation, but not sure exactly what it is.



And right next door was this very futuristic looking observation tower.

Saturday morning, California Lady left very early (6:15) as they had a long day ahead. They decided to make a 70 mile journey to catch up with some friends that they were looking forward to spending some time with. We expect to catch back up with them in a few days. We and Inspeyered 2 decided on a shorter day with an anchorage in mind that was only about 25 miles away. Again, the wind was blowing...and again we had it on our beam in fairly open water (Choctowhatchee Bay). Good news and bad news with this...the good news was that the dinghy refiguring that Rob did passed with flying colors and was solid as a rock. The bad news was that Jane on InSpeyered 2 started to get some motion sickness, which is not fun. We made a slight adjustment to our anchoring destination, which allowed us to get out of the rough water sooner, and really won't affect our planned travel tomorrow.  (And Jane was much happier very quickly!)

Sunrise at Fort Walton City Dock...this is about when Kikie decided it was time to go out.

 

 

We took some water over the rail, but this boat didn't even notice. 2 to 3 foot seas is like driving through a rain puddle.

So we find ourselves at Hogtown Bayou...a fairly open anchorage, but well protected from the north and east where the winds are continuing to blow in from. There is a dinghy dock about 3/4 of a mile away for puppy duty...it is a cold ride, but very doable for the night.

Today's ride was mostly uninteresting...like traveling across a big lake, and we look forward to getting off this bay, and onto some more intimate cruising tomorrow. We plan to head for the Panama City area, and snag a marina dock for a few nights. The weather window for crossing the gulf is not open right now, and it looks to be undesirable until at least late next week. So, we will poke our way down the coast, anticipating our crossing to be somewhere between the 20th and Thanksgiving.



Sunset at Hogtown Bayou