The Florida Ditch to Shalimar
We left Scipios right on schedule and re-entered the Gulf Intercoastal WaterWay (GIWW) right at the Scipios Marina. Although the water is a murky brown the view from the Bridge was outstanding. We cut through some low lying areas with age old cypress trees covered in Spanish Moss. Just a little fun fact, I learned today that Spanish Moss isn’t moss after all, but a distant relative to the Pineapple plant which gets it moisture from the humidity in the air.
The “ditch” as it is known to the locals was narrow in some spots and we kept a vigilant eye out for the sun bathing alligators but unfortunately didn’t see any. As we were driving down the ditch, we could hear a lot of noise coming from some type of military jet. After searching the sky, we did find several fighter style jets in some sort of “dog fight”. You could see them doing all sorts of maneuvers trying to get the better of their opponent.
As we entered East Bay we come under the final approach to Tyndall Air Force Base. There we did see several fighter jets making their final approach. There was one antique F-4 Phantom that was obvious in the traffic pattern making touch and goes. I thought the Phantom was already phased out of the military and now in a museum or on a metal pole at the entrance of base.
As we neared our destination we would encounter fisherman actually digging for oysters. They would drop into the water what appeared to be giant rakes and work them as if they were working a “post hole” digger. Then they would lift their catch of oysters and place them in a pile. There was another person culling the recent catch and obviously throwing back the smaller ones. Since they were in small flat bottom boats we would reduce our speed so as not to “wake” them.
Finally we arrive at Sun Harbor Marina. The wind was really blowing hard from the South and Chip did a marvelous job of getting BlissFull in the slip. Just as we were finishing getting things secured, Gary and Hollis showed up from Crawfordville, Florida.
Dad had to leave us in Panama City due to commitments at home. It was a lot of fun to see him enjoy himself like he did and he was a great help. There is talk he may be able to rejoin us at some point but we are not sure, either way he will be missed as we continue our journey.
We get under way about 0900 with one less crewmember and arrive at the Shalimar Yacht Basin in Shalimar, Florida near 1700. The trip was fun and lots of reminiscing was done on this segment. You see, this is the Florida were I would spend my summers growing up. We crossed under the bridge (Highway 331) that would bring us to our Emerald Beach paradise and we even passed by the Ft. Benning Recreation Center where I had a job as a life guard and part time deck hand on the Follow Me fishing boat.
Since we get to Shalimar in time to use the “courtesy car” we spend that time re-provisioning the boat for the next several days. Each marina has a different policy regarding the use of their courtesy car but I don’t think any type of policy was attached to this automobile. This car was a moving accident waiting to occur but it was fun to drive. The brakes needed several applications before getting any type of gripe on the discs. The seats were soaked from a previous night’s storm and the Air Conditioner was in bad need of Freon. Since the VW Rabbit was a convertible, we solved the problem of A/C by disconnecting the two forward latches and “popped” the ragtop a few inches to get some circulation going!
Tomorrow our destination is Homeport Marina, home of Lulu’s!
Until then….
Rusty and Kris
We left Scipios right on schedule and re-entered the Gulf Intercoastal WaterWay (GIWW) right at the Scipios Marina. Although the water is a murky brown the view from the Bridge was outstanding. We cut through some low lying areas with age old cypress trees covered in Spanish Moss. Just a little fun fact, I learned today that Spanish Moss isn’t moss after all, but a distant relative to the Pineapple plant which gets it moisture from the humidity in the air.
The “ditch” as it is known to the locals was narrow in some spots and we kept a vigilant eye out for the sun bathing alligators but unfortunately didn’t see any. As we were driving down the ditch, we could hear a lot of noise coming from some type of military jet. After searching the sky, we did find several fighter style jets in some sort of “dog fight”. You could see them doing all sorts of maneuvers trying to get the better of their opponent.
As we entered East Bay we come under the final approach to Tyndall Air Force Base. There we did see several fighter jets making their final approach. There was one antique F-4 Phantom that was obvious in the traffic pattern making touch and goes. I thought the Phantom was already phased out of the military and now in a museum or on a metal pole at the entrance of base.
As we neared our destination we would encounter fisherman actually digging for oysters. They would drop into the water what appeared to be giant rakes and work them as if they were working a “post hole” digger. Then they would lift their catch of oysters and place them in a pile. There was another person culling the recent catch and obviously throwing back the smaller ones. Since they were in small flat bottom boats we would reduce our speed so as not to “wake” them.
Finally we arrive at Sun Harbor Marina. The wind was really blowing hard from the South and Chip did a marvelous job of getting BlissFull in the slip. Just as we were finishing getting things secured, Gary and Hollis showed up from Crawfordville, Florida.
Dad had to leave us in Panama City due to commitments at home. It was a lot of fun to see him enjoy himself like he did and he was a great help. There is talk he may be able to rejoin us at some point but we are not sure, either way he will be missed as we continue our journey.
We get under way about 0900 with one less crewmember and arrive at the Shalimar Yacht Basin in Shalimar, Florida near 1700. The trip was fun and lots of reminiscing was done on this segment. You see, this is the Florida were I would spend my summers growing up. We crossed under the bridge (Highway 331) that would bring us to our Emerald Beach paradise and we even passed by the Ft. Benning Recreation Center where I had a job as a life guard and part time deck hand on the Follow Me fishing boat.
Since we get to Shalimar in time to use the “courtesy car” we spend that time re-provisioning the boat for the next several days. Each marina has a different policy regarding the use of their courtesy car but I don’t think any type of policy was attached to this automobile. This car was a moving accident waiting to occur but it was fun to drive. The brakes needed several applications before getting any type of gripe on the discs. The seats were soaked from a previous night’s storm and the Air Conditioner was in bad need of Freon. Since the VW Rabbit was a convertible, we solved the problem of A/C by disconnecting the two forward latches and “popped” the ragtop a few inches to get some circulation going!
Tomorrow our destination is Homeport Marina, home of Lulu’s!
Until then….
Rusty and Kris
No comments:
Post a Comment