Anticipation!

[Riley Smith]

So we're going to P'Cola in a couple of days for some sailing, eating, and seeing different stuff. I highly anticipate the trip and the boat is as ready as she ever gets. I'm sure we'll run across some of the BEER Cruisers but we're sorta doing our own thing. I hope the Florida mosquitoes are not as hungry as the Mississippi ones. Those suckers in the 'Sipp ain't playing   

[Captain Kidd]

Years ago we took the Mac26 to Tampa/St. Pete. Night was approaching and I was talking to the dock master. Asked him about the mosquitoes. He said "what mosquitoes?" I slept in the cockpit that night and it was glorious! Not a vermin one. Here's to a great time for you.

[Wolverine]

Mosquitoes and no-see-ums can make a trip miserable. I have a net I hang above the birth to keep them off me at night.
Hopefully you'll have minimum encounter with them.

[Riley Smith]

We opted for a FBO.....fixed base operation with a house and a/c, showers, and well, no pool, but the park and launch is right down the way. I'm into sailing but the camping I'll pass on, so day sailing only. We'll have a blast I'm sure. Plans are to sail, sightsee, photograph, and enjoy. Somewhere there is some shopping involved and maybe a nice meal. I'd add fishing in there if I thought I could get a rod in the boat.

[Captain Kidd]

We opted for a FBO.....fixed base operation with a house and a/c, showers, and well, no pool, but the park and launch is right down the way. I'm into sailing but the camping I'll pass on, so day sailing only. We'll have a blast I'm sure. Plans are to sail, sightsee, photograph, and enjoy. Somewhere there is some shopping involved and maybe a nice meal. I'd add fishing in there if I thought I could get a rod in the boat.

Sounds like a plan! Enjoy!

[Wayne Howard]

Somewhere there is some shopping involved and maybe a nice meal.

In Pensacola, Nick's Boathouse next to the ballpark or Oar House on Bayou Chico.
Closer to Orange Beach is Hub Stacy's @ 5851 Galvez Rd, Pensacola, FL 32507 right at the boat launch.
And of course, the infamous Pirate's Cove in Josephine for Burgers and Bushwhackers.

[Riley Smith]

One of the good things about a boating expedition with my wife is the cuisine. No telling what kind of vittles you'll be having, but you can bet one thing, it'll be GOOD! She's making a West Indies salad for the trip. That's basically crab meat and spices and we'll have it on the water. Light and perfect!  We'll enjoy it that much better! Anyway, her and I always manage to get fed some good food on our outings. Thanks for the list.

[Ed]

Now that we are "shore-bound" for nights/meals with the Hobie Tandem Island, it would be nice to know where you found lodging that accommodates a trailer in Pensacola.  Thanks

[Riley Smith]

We had a house not far from the park entrance. We used the car for errands and going out to eat. It was a very nice place and when we walked in from our first outing it was 68F. Oh YES!

[Riley Smith]

I didn't even wear a watch. Now, for one whose universe is concerned with time, that was a difference. She had said this is a vacation and we're going to get away and what happens, happens. I figured I married a pretty smart blonde and she had it down, hence the discarding of the watch. So I was pretty laid back most of the time and we had a good time. We did a little night life, some boating, some sightseeing, and some dining. We didn't get bit by the first deer fly or mosquito and Bean didn't bark at us one single time to be let in or out.
 
Yeah, I needed that.

And so I didn't get bent when we started out late. Way late. I just went with the flow and wound up rigging up at Big Lagoon Park in the heat of the day. Yay for planning; already it had bit the dust. Which wasn't bad actually, with Sonya helping,  we had the boat in the water and loaded out in less than 30 minutes. The Honda worked flawlessly and we motored east away from the dock. I caught this same ride during the FL 120 and it is a great downwind.

S R Cat has such little draft that you can skim the edge of the beach all the way to Sand Island. But with the Honda there was wind in our face and I knew if we raised the sail it would be unbearably hot with us traveling the same way as the wind. Options; the little motor gives you options!! So we decided to stay alive and not get fried by Sol, and putted along sightseeing. Eventually finding a spot and running the boat up on that sugar sand.

Yeah, sugar sand and a saltwater bath too! The water was clear but not as perfect as it gets later in summer. No jellyfish though, and we had a good time swimming and watching a few jets coming off the naval station. The little baitfish kept nipping our toes and I saw one of those new crop-duster attack plane morphs that the Special Operations Groups will use. Must have been out of Hulbert AB. A thunderstorm built in the north and we kept tabs on it with the radar app. The top was saying that it was headed directly our way but it never made it and finally turned east away from us. It got pretty impressive and once there was an airliner pulling contrails that made an arc around it, and I was glad it wasn't heading our way.

We had a blast. And now we're back home, refueled and recharged and ready for another run at this thing called Life. I got to see old friends and new places, maybe for the last time. I didn't even recognize Wayne! Yes, that time thing is a hard one to let go. New things and new events lie on the horizon and all we have to do is ride the tide until it brings us to that place. It's thundering and hot and sultry this morning and this precious dog won't leave me alone because he's scared of the thunder.

 We're both glad I'm at home 

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[Timm R Oday25]

Riley , thanks for bringing us along . Maybe .. just maybe ..a picture of you folks under sail                               

[Riley Smith]

I didn't have the camera...only a cell phone. And I detest taking pics with it. You'd understand if you compared. That was the only pic I took.