Crossing Lake Wimico

One of the most memorable passages we've done was crossing the swampy Lake Wimico in  the Florida panhandle.

Entering the lake from the east side.

After leaving Panama City Municipal marina and crossing East Bay  the ICW (inter coastal waterway) narrows into a swampy serpentine channel to the entrance of Lake Wimico.

Entering the wide expanse of water is beautiful but risky.  The Lake is very shallow in many places and you must be very careful to stay in the dredged channel that crosses it.  The Markers are so far apart that binoculars must be used to see them.

Each time we've crossed the lake there has been wind and we found it hard to stay in the channel.

After leaving the lake,

 the Apalachacola River is a wonderful swamp experience.  JoAnn  (a woman who is terrified by snakes) actually became enamored by a mother alligator tending to its babies.  Go Figure???

Its tempting to skip the Lake Wimico route and cruise on the outside in the Gulf from Panama City to Port St Joe or Apalachacola, but you miss out on a beautiful day.

A Beauty of Boating IS BIRD WATCHING

Gulls follow boats while crossing Mobile Bay

Cruising a swamp up the Apalachicola R.

The first time JoAnn and I saw an Osprey we thought he was an American Bald Eagle.

Brown Pelicans are  not like our White Pelicans in the St Louis area.  The browns dive for food and develop cornea scaring.

Taking a rest on a finger dock

"Are you looking at me?"

Beauty on the dock

And of course our Eagles are

always majestic and exciting to see on the Alton Pool here at home on the Mississippi R..

A Tour of Great Escape (Pilothouse 4788)

Happiness is an early morning  fog.Forward deck with two anchors. A Danforth and a Bruce with 150 foot of chain.

Aft deck with 3rd anchor.

Lower helm seat in pilothouse.

Seating in the pilothouse and steps to the upper deck.

Electrical panel at lower helm.

Steps from lower helm to Saloon and galley.

Saloon with storage under the seating.

Saloon and galley kitchen.

Galley with stove, oven, nuke  and fridge.

Grand kids bunks in middle stateroom

Guest bath with shower

Guest stateroom

Master bath with tub and shower

Master stateroom in bow of boat.  Come and see us at Port  Charles Harbor.

River is closed!!!

This picture from River Bill's site illustrating the high water on the Alton Pool.   This is the statue of Our Lady of the Rivers that every one must pass when going down the Mississippi doing the Great Circle Route.  The statue is normally surrounded by a parking lot and picnic area.   All the Locks are open to water but closed to any traffic as the river is closed!!!!   The marinas on the Alton Pool including us at Port Charles at mile 221.5 are anxiously waiting for the river to return to navigable levels. As harbor hosts JoAnn and I are looking forward to another year of "Great Loopers coming down from the Great Lakes.  We will be glad to assist in any way we can as you come thru. The river should be fine by the late summer and beautiful with the sandy beaches clean from the high water.

Come see us this summer...Dave and JoAnn

Fishermans Village Marina a great place to stay

Going south?? On your way to the Keys??  Take a break and stop at Punta Gorda's Fisherman's Village (Double click pics to see better)

Great camaraderie among the "liveaboards" and transients was par for the course when we were there.  Pumpouts are at the dock.

Marina docks are a short walk to the tennis courts and heated pool that are for your use.

Behind the pool is the first class pier in which multiple restaurants and shops are located. 

The pier viewed from the boat offers great dinning shopping and on the upper floor condo rentals.

First floor shopping at the pier.  Lots of  nautical stuff and everything else.

At end of the walkway bay front dining with casual on first floor and more romantic on the second.

View of Charlot Harbor from dinner table.

Fishing and tour boats for the tourists to take.

Condominiums for rent on second floor

Whole package is a short walk from your boat!

Turtle Cove Marina at Tarpon Springs

Well, once you've made it across the Gulf from Apalachicola or Carabell; where do you go?

REWARD YOURSELF and stay at Turtle Cove Marina at Tarpon Springs.  (no we are not paid to say this)

Tarpon Springs is a delightful town originality settled by Greek Sponge divers.

The working harbor with shrimpers and dive boats adds to the wonderful quaint atmosphere.

Many small tourist attractions centered around

the sponge diving and Greek culture are found on the main street. Its  just  a five minute walk from the marina.

JoAnn at the marina pool. .. The restrooms and shower rooms are wonderful and squeaky clean.

One of two areas to gather with friends and cocktails overlooking the pool.

Rack storage is available.

Fellow Looper at marina slip.

Each slip has its own pump out and they do it for you!!

Rack storage with plenty of parking.Of the many Greek restaurants our Favorite is Hellas.  The food is awesome.

The bakery section is impossible to pass up with out a purchase of something wonderful.

Fellow Looper at rest in the slip at Turtle Cove Marina.

Greek salad anyone????? count me in!!