Getting Ready for Christmas - Loop Trip - Days 21 - 28

So Day 21 turned out to be just what we had hoped for and we departed for Destin. The morning was sunny and cool as in 41 degrees, but the wind had finally died down to about 15 mph.  Now that's still a bit windy, but so much better than the rain and 25 mph wind that had been the last few days!  The trip over to Destin was pretty smooth.  We only saw a few other boats along the way and those were mostly tows with barges and one other looper.  Our biggest event of the day was the first encounter with a sport fisher.  I had heard a lot about these guys who believe that the world and the waterway revolves around them.  Polite folks slow down when passing so as not to rock other boats like a roller coaster ride with their wake - not these guys!  They roared past us without backing down at all - and had the gall to wave!!  At least nothing got broken.  In Destin. we found our slip which was behind Harbor Docks restaurant.  Nothing fancy and no frills, but near the center of everything.  Track and photos - www.ramblr.com/web/mymap/trip/273527/911773

The gang's all here!!

An amazing sunset

Adding our dollar

Here it is

Just a few or the millions on the walls and ceilings

The next three days were spent in Destin.  We got to visit with Michelle and Cam
 at their condo on the beach.  The sunsets were beyond amazing and had some strange effects that were not expected. Our friends suggested dinner at McGuires which is basically a very cool, large Irish pub that serves one of the best steaks that you will ever taste!  The place is covered with dollar bills - the estimate is $1.2 M to $1.4M!!  Of course, we added one to the collection.  Our next outing, which was on our anniversary, took us back to their condo for drinks and another sunset before heading to Miller's Ale House for pitchers of mojitos and racks of ribs!  Dining our way through Destin and we barely made a dent in the choices.

Destin harbor

Cam giving instructions

My JackFrost created by Cam and his ice machine!

Another Destin sunset

Look what Michelle wrote for us!

On Day 26, we left Destin for the trip over to Panama City.  It was another sunny and fairly warm day with very little wind.  We had two large bays to cross which were connected by a fairly narrow, dredged channel.  Not much to see through here, but when we got to West Bay approaching Panama City, the dolphins came out to play!  It was the first time we had seen them jumping in our wake.  It is just so crazy cool to watch these big mammals swimming with you!  Track and photos - www.ramblr.com/web/mymap/trip/273527/914097

Panama City Marina slip

Muy Wayne O's for lunch

Panama City Beach

So now we are heading to Atlanta for the Holidays and Brittany's birthday.  The boat is set up in a slip a Panama City Marina and we will return on December 28 to pick up the trip.  So for now, Merry Christmas to all.  Best wishes for a wonderful and magical day.