November 8, 2009

Layover: The Boat Marina, Fort Walton FL

While attending Mass on Saturday evening I learned that the Knights of Columbus were sponsoring a breakfast after the 7:30 and 9AM Masses. Decided to offer a hand. Showed up at 7:30 AM and told the person in charge that I was a member in Brighton, MI. They put me to work cooking pancakes. Had lots of fun. Talking to the other workers in the kitchen and hearing their fishing and boating stories. One the volunteers was Bill Reaves. We became friends washing dishes. Bill has an advanced degree in physics from Auburn. He said that he was laid off with lots of extra time. If I needed anything I was instructed to give him a call.

Returned to the boat. Hurricane IDA was still heading in my direction. IDA caused me to hold up in Fort Walton Beach as she was preparing to make landfall later that night. IDA is making her way up the Gulf and my next passage in Water Mark is an offshore open Gulf passage. Am thinking that it might be smart to have a crew for the next leg. Learned from the office manager of the marina that it cost $21.50 per night or with a contract only $100 per month to stay at The Boat Marina. Have decided to base the boat here for the next month or so. This will give the weather a chance to improve and me a chance to recruit. Waves in the Gulf are now 15 to 17 feet and building to an expected 23 to 25 foot height. Glad that I am tied up to a dock. Small craft warnings have been posted up and down the Emerald Coast from Mobile to Panama City. Emerald Coast is the name that has been given by marketers to the northern coat and panhandle of FL. Water temperature is now 74 degrees. Changed the oil in the Honda as it has about 80 hours and is getting dark.

Got off the boat for awhile and went to the local Fort Walton Beach movie theatre. “The Time Travelers Wife” is playing. A timely theme as I miss Sandy. The film was hard to follow at first because the story jumps around and is not a linear story line. However with great concentration I was able to follow the plot. Cost to attend the movie here was $3.00. The theater was set up like a restaurant. There were tables and chairs and they served food and beer. Ate a shrimp dinner from Captain D’s on the way home from the movie.

Winds are getting stronger somewhere between 20 and 30. I guess this storm is the real deal. Crawled up into the V birth and fell asleep to the rocking and rolling motion of the boat.