Kemah, Florida and beyond

[Rogerh]

dimmer2, still in Destin? If so, get the long johns out. Going to get in the 40's tonight... We will probably be anchoring out over there early next week. You still going to be around?

 

[BandB]

dimmer2, still in Destin? If so, get the long johns out. Going to get in the 40's tonight... We will probably be anchoring out over there early next week. You still going to be around?

Wifey B: Going down to 75 degrees in Key West tonight.

 

[dimer2]

Roger, yep it's pretty miserable right now and doesn't look to let up for a while. I left my winter woolies behind when I left Texas


I had an extension made for my crane which was shipped yesterday. As soon as I receive that and get it installed (and the weather improves) we will move up to Port St Joes for a while. Hope we get to meet somewhere....

 

[jwnall]

Roger, yep it's pretty miserable right now and doesn't look to let up for a while. I left my winter woolies behind when I left Texas

Welcome to Northern Florida, Blue. Note that I prefix with "Northern," because this part is NOT palm trees, bikinis, and warm balmy breezes. In this part we have freezing weather, burning hot weather, rain, humidity, and more bugs than Carter has little liver pills. Part of it is actually southern Alabama, and the other part is actually southern Georgia.

So why do I continue to live here? Three reasons. (a) I was born here, and I am used to it. (b) when we do have a nice day every once in a great while it is so wonderful that it is worth waiting for. (c) The crowds tend to go further south, so we can enjoy our beaches and seafood without a bunch of yankees taking up all the space.

 

[dimer2]

Thanks John. It is apparently going to get a little chilly tonight (not that I would wear a bikini anyway ) and this wind is supposedly here thru next Tuesday! St Marks looks like a great little side trip! We plan on getting within about 50 miles of you, Dog Island.
But like you said, the whole point of the trip is warmer weather, palm trees, beer and bikinis, so we will plod on....when the weather clears and parts arrive lol.

 

[jwnall]

We plan on getting within about 50 miles of you, Dog Island.

I'm sure you already know this, but just to be certain. The west end of Dog Island has a really, really good anchorage, just before you get to the end of it. The holding is fantastic, and you can be protected on three sides. You can also anchor in deep water right off the beach.

Unfortunately, you are not protected from northern winds there, though, so if you are going to have those, then come on in though the deep and well-marked channel to Carrabelle. Always plenty of room at the Moorings Marina, plus good anchorage in the river if you want to do that.

I have heard that the "Fisherman's Wife" restaurant has good seafood, but have never eaten there. An IGA grocery store within easy walking distance of the Moorings.

 

[dimer2]

Thanks John. I visited Carrabelle (by car) and checked out the Moorings and ate at the Fisherman's wife (if I remember correctly) and I will not need much of an excuse to go up the river and visit again. It's all up to the weather. I will overnight at Dogs Island IF I can do the crossing the next morning, otherwise plan on going up the river.

 

[Rogerh]

Dimmer2 are you in a marina in Destin or anchored out? We plan to make the trip to Clearwater and beyond in April.

 

[dimer2]

Roger, we are anchored in the bay (small harbor), downtown. From the ICW you come under the bridge as though going offshore but turn left as soon as you come from under the bridge. It is off season so plenty of anchoring spots and places to pull up in a dinghy.

 

[Rogerh]

Hope you saw the incredible sunset tonight! May be in Destin Harbor Tuesday night. I will let you know if we are headed that way.
Roger

 

[dimer2]

I did indeed and took pics....however today was my birthday so there is no chance of me downloading them We made friends with a local who has a sail boat called "Blow Me". He provides dinghy space on the beach and keeps a eye on it. We gave him some ribs and he smoked them for us....Awesome!!

 

[jwnall]

....however today was my birthday!

A belated Happy Birthday! Turned 39, huh?

And remember that there are a LOT worse places to be waiting for weather than Destin! Given waiting there or waiting at Port St. Joe, I'll take Destin any day in the week. Destin has the best seafood of any place that I have been.

 

[BandB]

A belated Happy Birthday! Turned 39, huh?

And remember that there are a LOT worse places to be waiting for weather than Destin! Given waiting there or waiting at Port St. Joe, I'll take Destin any day in the week. Destin has the best seafood of any place that I have been.

We got stuck in that area once as well. We were in 6-8' coming in, but it quickly worsened. We found plenty of things there to keep us occupied for an extra week.

 

[dimer2]

We actually lucked out and both the Rhino and the Baobab are now in a couple slips, hooked up with electricity and water so life is good again. Fueled up at the co-op for $2.35/gal. So we will stay through Monday morning then ICW to Panama, followed by a run offshore to St Joes. A day or two anchored on the beach and then around the corner to Dog Island before the shot across the Gulf. Looks like we may make warmer weather before Christmas after all
Life is good!! (even if I am 60 again this year lol)

 

[jwnall]

We actually lucked out and both the Rhino and the Baobab are now in a couple slips, hooked up with electricity and water so life is good again. Fueled up at the co-op for $2.35/gal. So we will stay through Monday morning then ICW to Panama, followed by a run offshore to St Joes. A day or two anchored on the beach and then around the corner to Dog Island before the shot across the Gulf. Looks like we may make warmer weather before Christmas after all
Life is good!! (even if I am 60 again this year lol)

Different strokes for different folks, but it if were me I would go inland at St Joe and do the ICW over to Apalachicola. Easy run, and pretty scenery. Otherwise, you hit some scary shoals down around the base of Cape San Blas, far offshore. You can stay inside from Apalachicola, north side of St. George Island on the ICW, and run right into the West tip of Dog Island.

 

[BandB]

Different strokes for different folks, but it if were me I would go inland at St Joe and do the ICW over to Apalachicola. Easy run, and pretty scenery. Otherwise, you hit some scary shoals down around the base of Cape San Blas, far offshore. You can stay inside from Apalachicola, north side of St. George Island on the ICW, and run right into the West tip of Dog Island.

Apalachicola is one of our favorite stops anywhere. If you like art, definitely a good stop. You get to see incredible artists working in their studios, get to hear the story and background of their are. Very special place. We didn't imagine falling in love with it like we did.

 

[Rogerh]

Dimmer2, have a great trip. I agree with Jwnall. Off shore from Destin to Panama City and Port St Joe or inside either way. But from Port St Joe to Apalach and Dog Island I would go inside. Much shorter, easier. Those shoals go along way out. Either way keep us updated and enjoy the journey. By the way Happy Birthday also!

 

[dimer2]

Thanks guys, inside it is. I am looking on AC but not seeing much on Apalachicola. Is there a marina or anchorage close enough to bike to town?

 

[Rogerh]

Apalachicola Marina and Water Street Marina are both on AC. Not fancy but have the basics and right in town. From Apalachicola marina you are in downtown and Water street just a few blocks out. Both very easy bike rides for the entire town. I haven't been there in a few years but it was alot of fun when we went. Great seafood and oysters.
By the way where were you able to dock in Destin. There are sometimes when we go over there that having a slip would be a plus.
Thanks

 

[dimer2]

Rodger, called and they 'may' have a slip but only two transient slips apparently. The Municipal shows 2 feet at low tide. We will call again when close.


We anchored out the first 5 nights but the constant wind finally drove me to distraction. We walked the docks and made a 'private' deal at East Pass marina, slip 29. Speak with Robbie who captains the only cat in the marina. $75.00 a day with both water and 30/50 electric.

 

[BandB]

Rodger, called and they 'may' have a slip but only two transient slips apparently. The Municipal shows 2 feet at low tide. We will call again when close.


We anchored out the first 5 nights but the constant wind finally drove me to distraction. We walked the docks and made a 'private' deal at East Pass marina, slip 29. Speak with Robbie who captains the only cat in the marina. $75.00 a day with both water and 30/50 electric.

The Municipal is not the place to go. Apalachicola Marina, The City Wharf, the face dock, Scipio and Water Street all have plenty of depth. Apalachicola Marina has about 12' and even the last in that group, Scipio has 8'.

Places to go and things to do:

The Maritime Museum
Raney House
Orman House
Wildlife Refuge
Gorrie Museum

But there is better. The small stores and gift shops. Then the best, the art.

Go to Apalachicolabay.org

There are at least 4 art galleries. Tons of local artists.

I think everyone in town has a restaurant.

There is even a spa in town, Riverfront Therapy or Spirit of the River. And do not miss The Old Time Soda Fountain.

 

[Steve]

Apalachicola, I saw one of the best signs ever there and the old city cemetery is interesting, if like me you enjoy that sort of thing.
Bon voyage

 

[dimer2]

Thanks for that BandB, may be there several days lol....


Steve, never a truer word!

 

[BandB]

Apalachicola, I saw one of the best signs ever there and the old city cemetery is interesting, if like me you enjoy that sort of thing.
Bon voyage

Wifey B: What is it with people and cemeteries? I find dead people boring. Guess if you want peace and quiet they're ok.

 

[Rogerh]

Agree, Municipal is not where to go. Depths are not good and had to time my exit when I did stop there. Sat on the bottom most of the time. All the others that Bandb mentioned work. Also I think you can anchor across from the inlet to the Scipio creek but I have never done it. Maybe someone else can provide experience info on anchoring there.

 

[ulysses]

Apalachicola is the birth place of one of the things that I give thanks for everyday. Dr. John Gorrie developed refrigeration and thereby ice. They have a museum in his old house.

 

[READY2GO]

Thanks guys, inside it is. I am looking on AC but not seeing much on Apalachicola. Is there a marina or anchorage close enough to bike to town?

We usually run the outside from Destin to Panama City and then the ICW from PC to Apalachicola. That is a very pretty part of the ICW and about the only part of the ICW I truly enjoy.

 

[BandB]

Thanks for that BandB, may be there several days lol....


Steve, never a truer word!

We fell in love with the local community of artists. Also, many of them do the type of paintings that we really like and, as it turns out, our customers do as well. Also, antiques, crafts, jewelry. The Bowery has work from 57 artists. On the Waterfront is very nice. Amy of Amy's Green Door, her original works a bit too modern art for us.

We couldn't walk around Apalachicola without seeing a place we wanted to stop in at least once a block it seemed.

Hole in the Wall and Up the Creek were two of our favorite restaurants.

Oh, if you want some seafood to cook yourself, go to Buddy Ward's 13 Mile Seafood. They have five shrimp boats and buy fish from local fishermen plus have their own oyster beds. 90% of all Florida oysters come from Apalachicola Bay. They won the Forgotten Coast Best Seafood Market.

 

[jwnall]

We usually run the outside from Destin to Panama City and then the ICW from PC to Apalachicola. That is a very pretty part of the ICW and about the only part of the ICW I truly enjoy.

I really do think that the ICW run from Port St. Joe to Apalachicola is the prettiest that I have seen anywhere on either the Gulf ICW or the Atlantic ICW. The Great Dismal Swamp run would be #2, IMO. The Georgia marshes are awesome, but not as pretty. A neat little side trip, which few take, is to go north up the Apalachicola River for a ways, up toward Interstate 10. The Apalachicola runs essentially north and south, and after the ICW, which runs more or less east and west, runs into it, one can go either south, to the town of Apalachicola, or north. North is only if you have plenty of time to just fool around, though

 

[calimari]

Appalachicola Marina

Try Scipio Creek Marina, great folks and close to town.