Demopolis, Al to Panama City, FL
October 15-22
Bill Gilges, Bob Pease

Oct 15    Arrived via Meridian, MS, taxi to Demopolis Yacht Basin.  Dinner in route via Cafe du Subway.

Oct 16    Embarked at 0555 in order to make "scheduled" 0630 locking at Demopolis Lock.  Chilly at 48 degrees, pitch black with light fog.  Arrived per scheduled recreational vessel lock thru but had to wait in the lock for two others till 0700.  Beyond the lock it was nice, sparsely populated tree lined riverbank.  Passed several north bound tows, most were a small 3x2 configuration.  Lunch on the hook. A bit of trap shooting in the afternoon, which warmed up to 65.  Saw the first alligator of the journey on the riverbank.  Also spotted some wild turnkey and buzzards, along with the usual sea birds.
Made 100 miles today and anchored for the night just above the last lock of the journey (Coffeeville).

Oct 17    Locked through with "Warrior" from Lighthouse Point, Florida.  Nice weather and light winds.  Beautiful river country and quite a few tows.  Made a record 135 miles to Mobile.  The port of Mobile is very busy and quite interesting.  It's the 8th busiest US port.  Lots of commercial shipping as well as shipbuilding.  Ran into Steve and Charolotte on "At Last" at the marina.  We met them at Pickwick Landing, TN and toured Shiloh on leg 11.  Arrived at 1830 and overnighted at Grand Mariner Marina.  Dinner at their restaurant which was touted as one of the best in Mobile for seafood - very good but didn't quite live up to the billing.  

Oct 18    Taxied to the USS Alabama Battleship complex and toured it and the Drum, a WWII sub that was in excellent condition. Both tours were quite interesting.  The complex also has a couple of dozen aircraft and tanks.  Departed the marina mid afternoon for a short 4 hour run to anchorage in Ingram Bayou not far from Pensacola.  Grilled port chops and sweet potatoes on board, followed by "Young Frankenstein".  (actually only 1/2 since everybody dozed off).

Oct 19    A leisurely morning at anchor.  Eggs and bacon for breakfast courtesy of seaman Gilges.  ICW to Pensacola was quite scenic, with several keys and islands, white sand beaches.  Took the navy channel to the Navy's private yacht basin where we met Bill's cousin E.J. Sacks, a retired Navy Captain, who gave a guided tour of a very impressive Naval Air Museum located just off the base.  This is the best museum I've ever seen of airplanes, including the Air and Space Museum at the Smithsonian.  We had dinner with E.J. at a Cajun restaurant.  He joined us for the run to Panama City.

Oct 20    A 45 mile run from Pensacola to Giuseppi's Marina and Restaurant, near Destin.   The waterway through here is reminiscent of the shores south of Longboat Key, barrier islands on one side of the channel and mainland homes on the other.  Surprisingly light boat traffic, possibly due to the fact that this area is primarily a summer season destination.  We arrived at Guiseppi's about 1800.  This was the smallest slip I've ever been in, about 15 feet wide and 25 feet long, so SeaBird stuck out over 20 feet beyond the pilings.  Too far to use bow lines, however the boat was virtually wedged between the pilings so there was really no need for forward lines anyway.  Giuseppi's is a large and busy restaurant, on the water with a large indoor and outdoor dining area and a bar on the second story deck.  Great meal followed by a nightcap on the deck, which we closed.

10/21    Departed at 0700 just after daybreak and had breakfast on the go.  We had 65 miles to cover today and needed to arrive in Panama City in time for Bob Pease to catch a 5PM flight.  This area is mostly uninhabited and includes a 13 mile cut known locally as "The Ditch".  We arrived on time in P. City and berthed at the Bay Pointe Marina in the Grand Lagoon for the 2 week layover.  The is a very upscale facility and is adjacent to a Marriott Resort.