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We
started out as on a six hour cruise the captain was as the helm.
Even after a two hour delayed start when we entered entering
Pensacola Bay the day was bright and sunny and everything was
fine. As we entered the bay we knew our days cruse was nearing its
end.
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But
Mother Nature had surprise in store for us.
Clouds
began to roll in, the sun began to set, the winds began to blow at
gale force (40-50 mph), and the waves began to break over the
helm. As darkness began to engulf us the light to read our
maps began fading and our visibility was reduced to less than 200
feet.
Can you see the cranes?
A
call to the harbormaster resulted in very explicit directions;
head north toward the two cranes after passing them turn west and
you'll be in the harbor. Great instructions if you could see
something other than water splashing over the helm and pitch
darkness.
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Next
comes a warning from the harbor master to be on the alert for the
unlit buoys, but don't worry it's a piece of cake. Now is
the time for back ups our GPS and radar. Once these were
turned on the helmsman stated "I can get us there now, it's a
piece of cake." The next seven miles was spent with
eyes glued on the instruments and the spot light feebly searching
our forward course. The ever helpful harbor master informs
us that a few of the sail boaters had hung Christmas lights from
their boats. The closer we came to the shore Mother Nature began
to have pity on us and diminished her winds and increased our
visibility. There they were those two cranes he had been
talking about for the last forty five minutes. Passing the
cranes and making our westward turn were two of the most beautiful
Christmas Trees we had ever seen; sailboats are so beautiful with
strands of colored lights.
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After
tying up and Winston had been given a tour of the dog walk Lee
stamped his foot and blurted out "By golly we're eating out
tonight!"
and Winston
saying
"Boy, his feet smell".
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The crane we were looking for
in the dark.
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Damaged Power Squadron flag after battling the
40-50 mile wind storm.
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Damage flag of the sailboat
after she came in from 147 miles out.
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The Fish House where we eat at
Lee's request.
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The marina was centrally
located to the down town and the Historical District.
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The Winter Fest Map of the
tour of the town business on the trolley.
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Red Neck Christmas complete
with dancers was Lee's favorite.
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You don't have to worry about
the needles falling off a Red Neck Christmas tree.
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The Grinch who stole Christmas
was a popular stop for many on the trolley..
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Elvis Impersonator performs on
this fire truck. Allen thinks he can do as good.
He stands along in his thinking.
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Cold ladies singing on the at
the end of the tour.
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Shirley working on
repairing a window for a home being renovated in the Historic
District.
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Solders barracks in the heart
of the historic district where Spain seceded Florida to the United
States.
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Allen using the front pouch of
a building to catch up on the gossip back home.
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We bid a fond farewell to Pensacola
and eagerly head out for our next adventure.
Return to Florida's Treasure
Coast.
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