January 23, 2014, Thursday

0500-Woke up to Frost on the main sail cover.  0600 Started the generator, made coffee, pulled anchor, had swung around a couple of times, pointing the opposite direction as when we went to bed.  Out of the anchorage at 7 am and it's cold.  Light wind out of the North, in open water, went closer to the Ketch on the way since he was in the 7 ft. channel on the mooring ball.  Didn't hit bottom this time.  Now in open water of the big Choctawhatchee Bay with waves 3 ft, Marilyn says 4 ft and winds NE at 12-15ft.  Didn't put up the jib today, too windy and choppy. 10:10 After getting tossed around in the multiple waves coming from different directions, we made it to the ditch of the ICW.   More calm and protected.  13:30 entered West Bay 15:30 was hailed by a Transport ship asking us to move to side of the channel or the other as he need the channel to maneuver.  We turned around and saw him on our path. After looking at the size, immediately turned to get out of his way.  Not gonna do a Captain Ron and think he's going to move around us like the Saratoga.  (You have to watch the movie for those of you who are non Captain Ron movie fans) 16:30 Arrived at Panama City Marina, filled with fuel and filled the generator.  Good to be in a port and have electricity all night for the heater to warm us.  To our surprise and delight, saw friends on Field Trip, which they didn't recognize us because of our foulies on over many layers of clothing.  Sure wouldn't loose at a game of strip poker today.  They excitedly came over to greet us and help us tie up in our slip.  Nice wall behind us protecting us from the strong winds predicted tonight.  Will probably stay till Saturday depending on the weather.  High in the low 40's with a low near 20 and windy. Panama City Marina mile marker 290 Field Trip-Martha and Bob had us over to their warm boat last night for hot appetizers and chips, George from BeachQuest came over and was a good time catching up.  We had bought some wine in small nonbreakable glasses, it had been featured on the TV show where they sell their ideas to investors, can't remember the name of the show right now.  Anybody remember?  Anyway the wine wasn't bad but Martha reminded me if you can't stack it, it doesn't belong on the boat.  Thought it would be fun to try it since they were featured a special TV show.  

 Happy for a sun shiny day even if it's cold, foulies help keep us warm and dry

 Heading into the ditch with the jib up since wind calmed down

 Looking back at the Bay

 Definitely more calm, had to put the jib in since going in the same direction as the wind.

 Looks like snow but really white sand

 Didn't think we would still see the white sand since leaving Emerald Coast going along Pensacola to Destin

 Summer home on the side of the ditch

 Took a picture of the Transport ship after we got a long ways out of his way

 Sundown on at the Panama City Marina from the wall behind our boat, fishermen had caught a Puffer Fish off this wall.  You can get a one day license for $1 to fish from this wall.

 Just couldn't get enough of this sunset.  God makes such pretty views for us.