Port #41: Please Release Me, Let Me Go...To Florida!

Great Loop II Date: 11/02/2014

Day # 93(Sunday): 60 miles (2438 total miles)

Locks: 0 (25 total locks)
Port #41: Fort Walton Beach, FL
Marina: Fort Walton Beach Free City Docks

Having satisfied the insurance policy on OB, we were finally free to pass into Florida on November 1st. Weather was a problem that day with winds 20+ MPH and gusts of 30+. Pensacola Bay had a small craft advisory in place so we decided to stay put one more day.

We woke up to clear skies, cold temperatures and knew it was time to get OB underway to Florida. Once we were in Pensacola Bay, Todd decided to test OB’s engines and put her up on plane. It felt so go to go fast again. OB ran like a charm and we kept her on plane almost until we got to our destination. We were slowed by two barges, one passing the other and decided to lie back until we got to the Fort Walton Free City Docks.

I'd been waiting to see this sign for 10 days.  FINALLY! FLORIDA!

The Pensacola Lighthouse on the Navy Base.

When we arrived, the trawler Terry Ann was there and helped us in. We hadn’t seen them since Manitowoc, WI.

We tied OB to the outside T-head of the dock and headed for Fokker’s Pub, a cute little pizza parlor we’d found in 2010. It was close to the docks and had mighty fine pizza. Their specialty is the Mother Fokker. We bought one with plenty left for lunch the next day.

The free docks are well lit with security lights. I was glad we had the new covers made for our hatches and put them on to shield us from the light for bedtime. The free docks have no power so we bundled up and tucked under the covers for a good night’s sleep.

Ahhh...those Florida sunsets!