Diver Don Goes Under the Boat

On Wednesday, Nov. 7, we left Port St. Joe Marina and went through the Gulf County Canal to rejoin the ICW just west of White City. 

This green buoy in St. Joseph Bay has been white-washed!

The choppy water in the Bay was followed by total calm in the canal.

Just inside the canal there were fishing boats...some active like these...

and some hulks like these..... 

It was an easy ride down creeks and rivers to the town of Apalachicola. We were happy to meet Lise and Renald on Tango once again! 

As we turned back into Scipio Creek at the bifurcation buoy to reach Water St. Marina , the water became very shallow. We backed up to return to the deeper water but with the strong wind and currents, we somehow went over a crab trap float! They were on both sides of the channel. After we tied up at the wonderful floating docks, Don decided he better take a look at the port prop.

 First he tried our glass bucket..but the boat was in the shade and the water was brown. Then he lowered the dinghy and tried looking from there…no luck either. 















That's when the wet suit came out! What a guy!!!The water was 67 degrees, which isn't  t-h-a-t  cold…and he could stand on the bottom since the water was only about 5 feet deep. 













However, it was this sign that gave us some concern…..I was on alligator patrol with the boat hook in my hand! But there was none to be seen. Don didn't even need his knife since the three pieces  of rope were easily removed. Then it was time for a long, hot shower!

This was our third visit to Apalachicola, and of course we had to have oysters! We went to Up the Creek with Lise and Renald and had a wonderful lunch. The crab/lobster soup was heavenly!!!

This northeastern part of the Panhandle, often called Florida's "forgotten coast", is actually oyster, shrimp, and seafood heaven. Historic antebellum homes line the streets, shaded with live oaks draped with Spanish moss. Boutiques and quaint restaurants border antebellum cotton and lumber wharves.

The Gibson Inn, the crown jewel of Apalachicola, was built in 1907 at the height of this port city's reign as a shipping and lumber centre, and restored by its present owners in 1985. It is a fine example of Florida "Cracker" architecture, with metal roof, raised floors, high ceilings, centre hallways and large wrap around porches. A widows walk is a reflection of the area' steamboat past. 

Our visit to the John Gorrie Museum is just not meant to be! In the past, it had been closed. But today, Thurs., it opened at 9 am!!! When we arrived, there was a sign saying it was closed until 10:30…the park ranger was needed somewhere else! John Gorrie was a physician who invented and patented an ice machine to treat yellow fever patients. It was the forerunner of air conditioners!!!

To see more of Apalachicola....see our bogs from 2010!

We left the marina and have anchored off Dog Island. We are checking the weather…waves and winds…for a possible crossing of the Gulf to Clearwater tomorrow, 142 nautical miles. It will be calm near here, but there may be 4 foot waves the closer we get to Clearwater. We are planning on leaving here at 3 am for the 10-12 hour trip! Stay tuned....