We arrived yesterday in Ft. Walton Beach, where we will leave Steal Away to go home for Christmas break. Always a little sad when we reach the end of a leg of our Great Loop journey. Today we will find a one-way rental, pack everything up and prepare for the long drive tomorrow. But let me back up and share with you the final week of our 2020 Great Loop adventure.
We spent four days at Turner Marine in Dog River (Mobile Bay). The facilities were not as hoped (or advertised). From the fixed wooden docks (that made it difficult to climb on and off the boat), to the single shower/head combo to the less than helpful office staff and the lack of a courtesy car, I could not wait to get back underway. The only thing in walking distance was a West Marine store. Actually, this was a blessing as the pump handle on the head broke on route to Mobile and needed to be replaced!
During our 4-day stint here, we stepped our masts, Jim replaced the head, I caught up all laundry and prepared our first Thanksgiving meal aboard! Expensive dinner as we had to Uber to Piggly Wiggly for our turkey & fixings. We cut up a small turkey and cooked it in the instant pot; sides of potatoes and green beans (I only have 2 burners) with Sara Lee rolls (I have no oven). Bakery chocolate cake for dessert (truth be told—the best part of the meal!) In between bouts of rain, Jim was able to get all sail rigging installed, sails and sail covers on. She looks great!
Black Friday turned out to be foggy Friday for our journey down Mobile Bay. We waited until nearly 8:00 for the fog to lift then headed down the Bay. The waves and wind were calm, we had dolphin swimming beside the boat, then, out of nowhere, we hit dense fog again! Visibility less than 100 feet☹ We left the shipping channel to avoid large vessels and cut across the bay keeping a sharp lookout. The fog stayed with us for 2 hours, finally lifting just as we entered the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.
When we arrived at Homeport Marina in Gulf Shores (better known for the adjacent restaurant, LuLu’s (owned by Jimmy Buffet’s sister), it was humid and 76 degrees. Very nice, well-protected facility. While there, we reunited with two Loopers we traveled with last fall on the Illinois and Mississippi Rivers and made friends with a few new Loopers. It was great seeing Mick aboard Phantom (Mother duck who led us newbies down river last year) and Brian (traveling with a son and grandson) who had upgraded to a Nordic Tug (Yooper Too) and re-started his Loop this summer from the Upper Peninsula, Michigan. We had a great time at LuLu’s sharing a meal, adventures, and a few adult beverages!
Our weather while at Homeport went from warm and humid to torrential rain to windy with tornado warnings to a cold-front and freeze warning! We were happy to stay put in our protected basin with shore-power (i.e. heat). After four days, we got a break in the weather to continue our journey with only two travel days to reach Ft. Walton Beach. On December 1st, five Looper vessels departed Homeport Marina with Mother Duck (Mick) leading the way to our overnight anchorage at Fort McRee, just before the mouth of Pensacola Bay.
On the final day of our journey, we woke to a crisp 32 degrees and beautiful sunrise. Hard to get Jim out from under our cozy Coleman sleeping bag! Cranked up the Little Buddy propane heater to warm the cabin and dressed in our long johns for the cold trip across the sound. Crossing the mouth of Pensacola Bay was pretty rough with brisk winds and a long fetch. We took salt-water over the bow and back to the cockpit with the wind blowing in from the port side. Once we entered Santa Rosa sound, the waves and wind laid down making for a much smoother ride.
We were heading to my cousin’s dock on Choctawhatchee Bay for an overnight visit and to find a marina to winter Steal Away over Christmas. On route, Sundy let me know the water conditions at her dock (less than 4 feet) so we contacted Two George’s Marina – directly across the bay – for a transient slip. They were able to accommodate us, so we headed into their protected basin. Decent facility with friendly, on-site staff to keep an eye on the old girl while we are away. Not cheap, but there is comfort in knowing she will be safe.
We wish each of you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year! Stay tuned, we’ll be back in 2021😊