ICW (Intracoastal Waterway)

Friday, November 30 – Sunday, December 2, 2012

The ICW is both a natural and man-made waterway that runs 3,000 miles from Texas to New York! (Taking a break now and again) It allows us to travel inland from the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean following rivers and canals thereby avoiding many hazards of travel on the open seas.

Irish Attitude followed her bread crumbs back towards Mobile Bay to catch the sailing line. Some people choose to cut across the bay on a more direct route but the water is shallow and with only one good engine we did not want to take any chances.  While following the shipping lane we passed an area of 20+ oil platforms, one with a flare in operation. It took Mike back to his refinery days.

 

Cargo Ship from Monrovia, Liberia enters Mobile harbor

Office with a view

Petroleum Platform

Our track took us to the east in search of the ICW. We entered near Gulf Shores, AL.

Irish Attitude enters the ICW

A canal leads to Oyster Bay in Gulf Shores, AL

We came upon the first ‘must see’ on the ICW when it was to early to call it a day, but as luck would have it, we were just in time for lunch! Judith and Paul on Tranquilo hailed us on the VHF radio to see if we would like to join them at Lulu’s for lunch. Perfect! Proud Lady was about a half hour behind and heading our way. Lulu’s is owned by Jimmy Buffet’s sister Lucy. The tropical colored dining room overhangs the ICW. Homeport Marina looked like a fun place to stop but after lunch we all moved on.

Lunch Break

Joy, Bill, Paul, Judith and Mike

Tom and Patsy Conrad did a presentation at the rendezvous on the panhandle and we were using their handout to guide us to their favorite places. (Thanks again!) Irish Attitude pulled into The Wharf Marina in Orange Beach, AL. The shops lining the marina were unique. It was all decked out in Christmas lights and, outside of the warm weather, it felt seasonal. Mike and I walked and window shopped. I passed on Mike’s suggestion for the Ferris wheel ride and opted instead for a chocolate milkshake!



Gray Skies



A Great Blue Heron Watches the Sunset



Christmas Palms

The Wharf Celebrates the Season

Saturday we traveled as far as Pensacola, our first Florida destination. This section of Alabama and Florida is referred to as the Emerald Coast, befitting the beautiful change in water. The area is also famous for their white sugary sand beaches.



Our First 'Road' Sign

 

Beautiful Shades of Blue....

and Green!

As part of our electronics and navigational system we use our IPad. Usually we do not have our Wi-Fi running while motoring but Mike was updating our chart app. He went down below to check on something and our friends Sandy and Del Facetimed us! They were as startled as me to make a connection since Del had tried many times before. I think they were surprised to find me at the wheel and Mike below. A couple stomps on the floor signaled Mike to come up to the bridge. We had a great chat and they got a glimpse of where we were traveling. What a great surprise! Even though it was nearly 70 degrees, we were still dressing in long pants and sweatshirts. It is usually cool and damp when we cast off in the morning and we travel with the front window open for visibility. Four dolphins follow us coming just off our starboard beam. None of the pictures turned out. They just would not hold still long enough! (I should say that all my pictures have been from the camera on my phone. So I can't complain and have been pleased with the results on most pictures.)

Lighthouse on Pensacola Bay



U.S Naval Base in Pensacola, Home of the Blue Angels

We pulled into Palafox Harbor in Pensacola around 1 p.m., fueled up and pumped out. Scanning the marina we found Proud Lady, could Tranquilo be here to? Mike and I quickly changed into some shorts. In this protected area it was quite warm. The sunshine felt great. We walked uptown to find a store that sold Benadryl. Mike's legs got so bit up from 'no see ums' in Mobile, his legs were swelling! The itch was driving him crazy. It was a great place to walk. On our way back to the marina we bumped into Bill & Joy and Judith & Paul. They were looking for the Seville area of town and the historical district. So we tagged along. Joy and I really wanted to wander the old cemetery but stayed with the group. We both find old cemeteries fascinating. Mike just thinks it's morbid. The group ended the walk at the Plaza de Luna next to the marina. Pensacola is known as the city of 5 flags. Over history the control of the city changed hands 5 times thereby flying 5 flags. Spain, France, England, Confederacy, and United States are all recognized in the Fiesta of Flags celebration that lasts 6 weeks! It claims to be the oldest city in the U.S. (1559). I know, St. Augustine is reportedly the oldest city but the city was not founded until 1565, although it was 'discovered' in 1493. Maybe that should be a question on Jeopardy!

 

Safely In Our Slip

Docktails on Proud Mary

Palafox Harbor

Pelicans on the Streets Represent all the Branches of Military

Blue skies and sunshine are still with us. The locals say this is unusual to have so many days in the 70’s this time of year. We’ll take it! The weather predictions show a cooler than normal outlook for this year in Florida. On Sunday there was more river traffic to watch for, even kayakers. The water outside of the sailing line is dangerously shallow so we slowed down considerably.

Shallow water beached this boat.

Gulf Shore National Seashore

Very few homes spot the intracoatal

 

Along Santa Rosa Island, on a road listed as ‘unnamed’, we saw these strange structures. They could be military or weather, no clue. The Army Special Forces, based out of Elgin AFB, is near Ft. Walton. We saw 2 very dark inflatables loaded with men on a training mission. With their faces blackened and in combat gear. I was too intimidated to snap a picture! Helicopter and jets are common site, or sounds. Again, word from the locals is it is just another day in paradise.

 

Crossing Choctawatchee Bay before dark was not going to happen so we pulled into another Legendary Marina at Fort Walton Beach and planned for an early leave. We had to be in Destin Monday morning.