Nov 17 Ft McCree Anchorage to Bluewater Bay Marina

Nov 17


Hated to leave our anchorage this morning.  It was pretty ideal.  Gorgeous sunrise. But move on we must.  

Sunrise at our anchorage - almost as nice as the sunset

 Headed to  Bluewater Bay Marina in Niceville,FL.  Another full day of cruising starting with anchor up and out the anchorage at 7:45. It’s a pleasure having a sandy sea floor instead of a muddy bottom to anchor in.  The anchor comes up clean and doesn’t even need hosed off.  Pretty decent weather day.  It was cool last night. Down into the 40’s so chilly getting out of bed this morning.  But the flybridge warmed up quickly   once we got going with the sun shining and just a little breeze.  By 10AM it was downright warm up there requiring a change into shorts and a t-shirt for the first time in weeks.  NICE!!

Pensacola Lighthouse

White sand dunes

Military observation tower by Elgin AFB

Ft Waldon Beach area

Scenery along the way was basic coastal fare.  Barrier islands on the ocean side – some developed and some nature preserve.  Houses lining the inland side – all trying to get bigger than their neighbors.  Went past Pensacola, through Santa Rosa Sound, then by Ft. Walton Beach and Destin.  Couple mile detour up Choctawatchee Bay to the marina with a 3:30 arrival.  Had looked at staying in Destin but the marinas were pretty pricey for a transient slip.  Might have been worth it as we were disappointed with Bluewater Bay.  No response on the VHF radio coming in although some employees did come running out to the dock.  Slip was too narrow – we’re wedged in and the finger pier doesn’t even reach out far enough to let us board safely/properly. Picked this marina because they supposedly have a decent restaurant.  Only issue is it stopped serving at 4 today.  So, after a beer at the bar it was back to the boat for soup and sandwiches.  Only saving grace has been a BOATUS discount on their slip rate and a pretty sunset to end the day.  Back to anchoring out tomorrow.

Another pretty sunset

Journey for Nov 17