Saturday - Monday, November 20-22, 2021 (Lighthouse Marina, Panama City, FL)

We are on our way to Panama City, FL with one other looper, Thistle.  It was a 7 hour day when the ICW at times resembled a narrow river with sand beaches.  It is such a treat to see the dolphins on the side of the boat.





We have kept our eyes on the banks of the water for gaters but haven’t sighted any for some time.

Wouldn’t you love to know the stories behind so many beached boats?  Were they tied up originally, then a storm or hurricane came in and the owners didn’t have time to do anything about securing the vessel.  And why are the boats still on dry land?  It sometimes appears that the owners have just abandoned their responsibility because the boat is basically destroyed.  Or is it an insurance issue?  We do know that some insurance companies do not provide coverage during hurricane season.  I want answers, LOL!!!!



We are getting closer to Panama City as we see some beautiful homes.

Everyday we learn more and more about the water that we are traveling.  Our view of the water can be a vast expanse of liquid but there are so many variables navigating from one spot to another.  On the river system we are used to the red and green buoys signifying “red right return” or when you are returning from the sea the red is on your right.  They also have odd and even numbers on them.  This is because some people are color blind or the sun may hinder your ability to define the color.  Red and green - stay in between!  

However, in the Intracoastal Waterway there is a yellow triangle that you keep on the starboard (right) side of the vessel and a yellow square on the port (left) side.  And let’s not forget the tide - is it high tide or low tide and how much difference.

We never know what the marinas are going to be like until we actually arrive, as we have found that websites are not accurate. LOL!!!!  We have arrived at Lighthouse Marina in Panama City, FL and find that we are to be tied next to the pirate ship.





Thank GOD it’s off season and the pirates are gone until spring………


A great shot of the sunset from the boat.  On our third and last night here, our fellow loopers Tom and Theresa from O’Tug got into their dingy and floated across the harbor to our boat.  They tied to our swim platform and we had docktails then walked to the restaurant on sight for dinner.  It was a very relaxing evening with stories. 


 Uber is the only way to be able to see some sights and I must say that an Uber ride is very expensive here.  Yikes!!!!  Tomorrow we leave for Apalachicola, FL for a couple of nights.  It will be another long day getting there and hope to have more stories to tell.



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