Connie and my first overnight in a long time.

[Wayne Howard]

Between one of our kids being DEATHly ill and other prior commitments, it has been a while since we took out the boat. Well, that ended yesterday. we got to Pensacola and managed to squeeze in a sailing trip to Sand Island/Robertson Island. We got out of Bayou Chico and raised the sails. We made it almost all the way through the cut before the trees killed the wind and we had to start the engine. It was close to time to do that anyway so that we could anchor in the pocket.

Shortly after we started sailing, I threw a line out with a blue feather fly on the end. We caught something! I don't know what it was because two pelicans started chasing after this fish going 4.5 knots. One of the pelicans managed to snatch the fish off the lure before Connie cold get the fish to the boat. We threw the lure back out attempting to catch another fish. No more luck. It could be due to the fast that when I reeled in the line so we could anchor I found out the the lure no longer had a hook. The line ahead of the lure was also nicked quite a bit so I might not have gotten a new catch to the boat anyway.

There were a surprising number of boats in the pocket considering that school is still in session. Towards sundown, all the beached boats were headed home leaving just the larger anchored boats behind. There was a beautiful sunset last night. During the night, the wind shifted around to the east so after breakfast we cranked up the motor and headed to Bayou Chico. I managed to dock the boat without scratching the paint. SO YAY!!!!

[Captain Kidd]

I've not been to many sailing venues, but it is neat to read about someone else's trip to one of those few places. Hope to return. Glad you got out.