December 3-4

December 3 Pensacola .. Temperature on awakening 68 degrees. Going downhill from here. Judy and I spent a leisurely morning --our plan for today was to walk downtown and tour some of the great shops that the brochures touted in the historic district, have lunch and then go to the Naval Air Museum. This was the first town we could actually walk to from the Marina since our stop in Beardstown Il along the Illinois River. The touring of the shops didn't take long as there wasn't much there. We found a nice place to have lunch. Lots of waitstaff around and not much business, we commented about that but didn't think too much of it. Couldn't find a Taxi to take us to the Air Museum but we happened upon the Chamber and stopped in and they called us a taxi. Great visit to the Naval Air Museum. Very big. It was located at the Pensacola Naval Air Base. No admittance fee, however there were a couple of Imax movies showing. One was about the Blue Angels flying performance team, which we purchased tickets for. The Blue Angels are based in Pensacola and hold regular practices, but their season ends in November so we won't be able to see them practice. It was only then we discovered that we hadn't really changed time zones and that is yet to come for another 150 miles or so. No wonder there wasn't anybody at lunch! So we are not right with Indiana time yet! Anyway the museum was great as well as the Imax movie. Highly recommended. We took the city bus back to the Marina--got to tour the Airbase and see lots of other parts of the city. 3$ to get home vs a $25 cab ride. Downtown Pensacola is nice in places and there is a very nice park near the Marina. The marina is all new since Ivan and has floating docks. One other looper pulled in late last night from Superior Wisconsin. Did not have a chance to meet them. We cooked turkey burgers on the grill tonight--pretty good after Judy doctored them up. It is very windy and the temperature dropped all day long. Sweatshirts and jackets were the uniform of the day. Tonight the wind will calm down, the skies will clear and the temp will drop to 32. The heat pump has been keeping us warm this evening

December 4 Pensacola to Ft. Walton Beach--The GIWW winds its way through the Panhandle. Lots of twists and turns and it keeps the navigator and pilot on his toes following the buoys. Surprising fact is that there are quite a few tows moving freight on this portion of the waterway. We met one today on the 2 whistle (after calling him on the radio) in a curving part of the waterway. A beautiful day to travel. Sunny, light winds, temp 64. 43 miles to Ft Walton Beach. Another dolphin sighting. They jumped around us, swam under the boat but none followed us for any distance and not once did they give a signal they were going to show off for us so we didn't get any pictures. The city has some free docks and surprisingly we are the only ones here. No water or electricity, running on the generator tonight. Again we are right downtown. Just a few blocks to the Publix Grocery store and liquor store. Donned the backpack and Judy and I set off for the grocery to pick up just a few things. On the way home I made an appt to get my hair cut at the ladies hair place at 4:30 and I made sure I was on the right time. Very nice evening. no wind and another beautiful sunset. Marinated chicken on the grill with cottage cheese and bread. Simple life, simple meals! Makes up for those eating out nights! 2843 statute miles traveled