6 December, 2019 NAS P’cola--English Navy cove--Spector Island

Dinghy stop along the way.  6.4 engine hours; 41 sm traveled

Was a very quiet morning with coffee--unknowing of the violence and loss of life to come.  We planned to get underway early, as the tide was just falling.  We were ready and untied the lines at 0636 and eased away from the dock and slowly and quietly made our way in the shallow marina channel back to the ICW.  Never saw less than 5 feet this morning.  We had crossed the Pensacola channel, surface swells but otherwise calm, when I noticed lots of flashing lights a couple of miles away on the base toward the turning basin.  We also heard the Giant voice--could not understand the words.  We continued east toward Gulf breeze.  Shortly, we began to get text from folks wondering if we were OK.  I assured all we had left before the shooting had started.  So hard to understand.  Prayers for those who lost their lives and those wounded.

Our first planned stop was off the ICW at English Navy Cove.  We approached near the Gulf Breeze city park with launch ramp and pier.  (Gulf Breeze) We anchored in 8 feet of water @ 0810.  Anchor secured, we splashed KAOS the dinghy, loaded our bike lock, life jackets and water proof bags and set off for about a 100 yard paddle to shore.

Securing Kaos

Our first time leaving Serenity at anchor.  Pretty nervous most of the time ashore.  We secured the dinghy and set off and had a pleasant walk to PUBLIX grocery, about one mile away.  There was a natural trail for 2/3s of the walk.  We got our groceries, loaded our backpacks and headed back.  What a relief, Serenity firmly anchored just where we left her.  POC jumped rope, I loaded the dinghy and prepared it for the return trip.  We paddled back to Serenity; POC put away the groceries while I mounted KAOS to the dinghy davits and secured the paddles, life jackets and the dinghy.

Groceries

 All secure, we raised anchor and were east bound on the ICW at 1100.  It was a lumpy ride eastward in the Santa Rosa sound.  Winds 10-12 knots from the East, and there was a long fetch and waves built to one and occasional two foot.  We have salt spray all over the bow and helm station windows.  We passed 1000 statute miles (SM) today.

Eglin AFB (Eglin) and Hurlbert Field (Hulbert) are near.  We slowed and exited the ICW at G57 and picked our way using the depth sounder and Navionics chart to anchor on the south side of Spector Island.  (map) In 14 feet of pretty clear water we dropped anchor and got a great set.  1530 all secured.  Scattered showers and a few thunderstorms have been around us and showers are forecast tonight.  Anchorage is pretty protected from winds except slight East/West.