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Day 183-184. 2nd year. November 22-23 Lay day in Fort McRae and on to Navarre. Miles 26 Total miles 5626

 Here are some shots of our anchorage.  





Had a lazy morning at anchor while we watched the Blue Angels practice the joining and peeling off of planes while in formation.  Also saw all the training planes coming and going from the Naval Air Station.  In between we got a few chores done.




This last shot is of the training plane used at the base. Wish they wouldn't move so fast.  Hard to get their picture!



After lunch we launched the dinghy and went over to the National Seashore and walked along the beautiful white sandy beach.  We walked past the dunes and around the island til we were on Pensacola Pass.   Quite a few fishing boats were out in the pass enjoying this cool but beautiful day. 




 As we walked back to the dinghy, we noticed that Jim and Pam on MV Acadia had come in the harbor, so we stopped by to say hello.  They invited us on board and we enjoyed sharing stories and plans for continuing the Loop in the Panhandle.

As the sun was going down, we left to return to Crustacean, washed the sand off our feet and settled down for the evening.


Day 184.   November 23.  Navarre, FL

Slept in and had a lazy beginning to our day.  Left our anchorage about 9:15 and headed out into Pensacola Bay heading east.  The day started off sunny but by mid morning it had clouded over.  





We left the Naval Air Station, Perdido Key, the city of Pensacola and a very large Coast Guard Station behind as we traveled into Santa Rosa Sound a long two mile wide body of water that separates the mainland from the very narrow barrier island of Santa Rosa.



As we traveled, we passed very large homes along the shore of the mainland and condominiums large and small on Santa Rosa Island.


Along the way, we had several dolphin in our bow ride with us quite awhile and then we saw four juvenile dolphins ride the wake of a big fishing boat.  These dolphin played in the boat wake by repeatedly jumping completely out of the water.  Was fun to watch them have so much fun!



Bill did not have to work hard today.  Since the channel was straight behind Santa Rosa Island, he could use the autopilot.  No hands driving!


 

Once under the bridge that connects Santa Rosa Island with the mainland, the scenery changed to more homes on the barrier island and wild dunes on the mainland.  Further along, the barrier island narrowed even more and  a natural seashore prevailed. We could see the Gulf over the beach, the island was so narrow.



We were surprised to have tows and barges plying these waters.  We thought that we left them behind on the rivers.


As we got closer to the next bridge at Navarre, the barrier island widened and houses and condominiums reappeared on both mainland and on the island.  

We pulled off the Intracoastal just past the Navarre Bridge, anchoring just off the barrier island next to a designated bird sanctuary.


                                          


We were glad that Florida counties and the State had saved much of the coastline and Intracoastal shores for parks, natural seashore and wildlife refuges.

We ended our day with our Thanksgiving feast, sort of.  





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