December 5

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Ft Walton Beach to Sandestin Just a short distance to travel today--to Sandestin- Only about 18 miles so our scheduled departure time is 9 am. Last night after we shut the genny down( we don't run it during the night) the temperature in the boat dropped to 56. Made for good sleeping. As we departed the Ft. Walton Dock the wind was blowing briskly out of the west, but the temperature was rapidly warming into the sixty's. Reading email from back home, school was cancelled due to snowfall! A nice leisurely trip across the waterway. Lots of dolphins showing their jumps and swimming ability but no posing for the camera. We'll get it right soon!

Harbortowne Marina in Sandestin is an exposed marina to the wind and as we were coming into the marina channel the wind really picked up. Really great dockmaster here, he guided us to and met us at our slip as we backed into our slip and helped us get tied up. No floating docks here, just large posts with the a short finger pier sticking out from the dock. This will probably be the norm until we get closer to home. Tidal effect here is small--just over 1'. Dockage is the most expensive yet. ($2.50 ft compared to as low as free!). The village of Baytowne was constructed in 2001 and is very unique. There are condo's, retail shops, and restaurants all within walking distance of the boat--very unique. Off we go to tour the village-Judy counted 23 restaurants on site. no chain restaurants--all with local flavor. We settled on the Acme Oyster Bar without much argument and enjoyed a delicious lunch in which we over indulged with oyster & shrimp PO boys. After lunch we visited the many retail shops, but the the only purchase we made was sugar free saltwater toffee and something like chocolate turtle This village is a very unique concept but not many people here today. I hope it is just the time of year. Our plans were to go back and indulge in a great meal for dinner but we are so full from lunch we just had leftovers for dinner. Tomorrow we are off bright and early to Panama City where my brother Mike is supposed to arrive around 3pm. The pictures are from the Village of Baytowne