Pensacola to Destin, Florida

We woke up bright and early to leave Pensacola and head to Destin, Florida with Steele’n Time once again leading the way. The storms had passed, it was bright and sunny but Pensacola Bay was just a bit rough at first. Nothing that we could not handle, but since we have had such calm seas thus far, it was a little unusual but fun to have waves come over our bow. This was also the first time that the stainless steel railings on the Lolligag became encrusted with salt as a result of the waves. We could run our hands over the railings to feel and then see the salt on our hands.



What is fascinating about the ICW so far is the way the waterway is structured. There were bays of water that were connected when the Gulf ICW was completed in 1949. So we travel in a canal like waterway and then around the next bend we enter an amazing lake. Some of the areas are protected sanctuaries and other parts are very heavily developed with all types of structures imaginable – from double-wides to multi-million dollar homes.

I was able to capture two very playful dolphins that did not come real close to our boat but did show us their tricks several times.





I knew that we would be anchoring in Destin Harbor but I guess I did not realize that Captain Mark meant LITERALLY dropping anchor in the middle of Destin Harbor. This was so cool – here we were right smack dab in the middle of all the action (but not in anyone’s way). What also surprised me about this harbor, as well as a couple of others that we have seen, is the number of abandoned and semi-sunk boats that are just left in place to rot. I can not imagine how and why these boats are just left unattended and then allowed to be picked clean by boat looters.



Certainly these boats had to belong to someone at some point and I just do not understand why the state of Florida or some other governmental agency does not find the owners and make them responsible for removing these eye-sores…

We actually anchored within a stone's throw of this abandoned semi-sunken vessel.

After settling in at the Destin Harbor anchorage, Captain Mark and I took a dinghy ride to explore the harbor. Destin appears to be a major sport fishing hub and the number and size of the serious fishing boats was certainly evident everywhere we looked. There were also plenty of places to eat and stay. I wish that we could have spent more time in Destin - maybe on our next loop trip.




Hours on the water: 6
Nautical miles traveled: 44.5
Number of locks: 0
Time spent waiting at locks: 0
Next Destination: Panama City Municipal Marina
What we're listening to: The Appeal by John Grisham
What we watched: Mighty Heart = C-
Lesson for the day: Make sure to wash down the boat after waves of salt water
Obligatory knitting report: Scarf for charity