10 December, 2019 Peaceful rest at anchor---fog is back

Many dolphins to play.   5.6 engine hours, 40 SM.

1/4 mile at 0500.  0600 wind has picked up and is stirring the surface atmosphere and visibility slight improvement.  A mile?  Finishing coffee and reviewing route planning.  U/W 0700, eased back across real skinny water and happy to see 12+ feet under keel as we turned back east into the ICW.  We anticipate cruising to a marina west of Panama City and hanging out.  Not very expensive--only has water and electric, but has floating docks and protected.   Owner sounds very accommodating.  Weather accommodated--thunderstorms dissipated before they came ashore and while windy, not as strong as forecast yet. So we decided to press further East.  Not many options in  Panama City, hurricane Michael took out so much and most have not rebuilt.  We called around and found Lighthouse Marina--beat the price of the no services marina--showers and laundry are free.  Just a 15 minute walk.  So gonna head that way, on the loop route, maybe two mile round trip out of the way.

Entered west bay to very changing conditions--not unexpected, but the last 2+ hours in the “ditch” of the ICW were nearly flat calm.  Into the bay, 12-15 with a gust or two from the south.  1 foot + chop with a very close period makes a lumpy and bumpy ride with all on the beam.  A 5-6 mile stretch to make our way through.

12 gust 20 was just about right

Course began to veer southeast and the southern land mass dampen velocity and wave magnitude.  Continuing further on a southerly course was pleasant and the wind was dying down some.  Headed toward the St Andrews bay inlet that drains into the gulf it was a bit rolling but decent and held this course only for a short distance.  We continued NW into Grand Lagoon and reached the marina @1230.  Secured in a decent slip, good tie-down port/starboard and fore/aft;  awaiting the heavy weather that is forecast.  Small craft advisory all ready issued beginning tomorrow morning and continuing for two days.

Tomorrow is full moon, but took this one in case we have cloud cover/rain as expected.

1090 elapsed SM; 1254.8 hobbs.