Good Morning Cruisers!!  It is back on the water for us this morning.  We are so excited to be cruising again.  Will we remember how after being stationary for such a long time?  Wayne took to the helm like he has never left it.  We backed away from the dock, re-docked at the fuel dock to get a pump out, then backed away again to get on our way.  You might even call us “Old Pros” at this whole boating thing by now!  🙂

The day started late for us actually.  Cold, misty and gray.  Several boats were ahead of us at the fuel dock doing their thing.  By the time we left Dog River is was a very late 9:30am. We have generally liked to be on the water by 7-8am.  But misty, foggy conditions made us stay later.

Leaving Dog River and into the Mobile Bay Channel

We encountered less than a foot of water all across the bay.  We had expected a bit more waves and were pleasantly surprised on how flat the water was.  Perfect.

Crossing Mobile Bay into Bon Secour Bay

I know you can’t tell much by this picture, but we are just entering the GIWW – Gulf Intracoastal Water Way – different notation so we know we are traveling along the Gulf Coast.

Entering GIWW – or ICW

Along the GIWW – ICW – are the water front homes we have come to expect.  Tall, stately, stilted, and many look empty.  Several areas with patel colored condos or vacation rentals. Not many boaters on the water.  We are always surprised by that.  We did see this one:

We passed the Betsy Ann Riverboat – isn’t it pretty?!!?

I can never tire of watching the Dolphins play in our wake.  Here is a few that followed us for a few minutes.

Scenery within the GIWW –

3pm – Entering Florida!!! -slightly out of focus since I was driving the boat – sorry

Looks like these fellows were putting in a red buoy.  We got a short wave from them as we passed.

Coast Guard Vessel hard at work

We forgot the time since we were having such a grand time on the water.  Before we knew it, sun down was fast approaching.  Can you believe it?  Sundown at 4:45pm.  That is just late afternoon!!  Not evening!  I know…I know…it is getting closer to that shortest day of the year.  I still find it too early for my sunset picture.  This is Central Time.

Approaching Palafox Pier Marina in Pensacola, FL

Always Home at the dock – 5pm

Sunset in Pensacola, FL

Right next to the Palafox Pier is a large construction site.  I didn’t pay too much attention until nighttime when the lights lit up the sky.  It looks like a rocket ship is being built.  Just based on the shape of the tall object.  Wayne thinks they are building an underwater structure-platform.  Hmmm it just looks curious.

Tall rocket ship ??

We went to bed early.  We are quickly going across the panhandle of Florida to get in position for our over-night crossing of the Gulf of Mexico.  More on that later.

Probably not a rocket ship.  😉