We left Pensacola Yacht Club yesterday morning about 8:00 am. It was cool, overcast and foggy. We used our radar as we left our slip for our five hour journey. The fog began to clear early although it was overcast most of the day. The trip was pretty uneventful – flat seas and very little traffic until we got about two hours out from Ft. Walton, Florida. Then we saw miles and miles and miles of what looked like 10,000 to 20,000 square foot vacation homes. Wow, huge beautiful homes….

We arrived at the sweet little Ft. Walton Yacht Club around 1:00 pm and were met by the manager, Tom. While Michael secured the boat I walked up to the Club with Tom and ordered lunch while he showed me around. They were setting up for a wine tasting in the bar area which was totally sold out. Then we walked by the Bar-B-Que and they were cooking a pulled pork for an off-campus bourbon tasting event . Some sailboats were coming into slips and Tom said they were having a regatta for big boats tomorrow and also setting up for Super Bowl activities. There’s a lot going on at this little club. It reminded us of all the good times we’ve had at San Diego Yacht Club. That and the fact that we had dinner with friends in Pensacola makes us appreciate how much we miss friends and family. So I’m a little sad today. Please know we miss you and love hearing from you. Hugs to you all! We’ve met some very nice people along the way but we chat with them a little then have to say good-bye the next day or so…..

This morning Tom brought the local newspaper to us on the boat. Wow, what a nice gesture! After breakfast we went on a walk-about. Within walking distance is a West Marine, Winn Dixie, Pet Store and more. This is the most walkable place we’ve been since leaving Kemah. So after about two and a half hours and 7,075 steps, we arrived back at the boat with bags from West Marine, the Pet Store, and Winn Dixie. The doggies were pretty tired so we left them on the boat to nap while we walked over to watch the regatta finish which was just 100 yards off the Club.  We met the race committee chairman, commodore Craig and his wife Cici (sp?), and had some really nice conversations before heading back to the boat.

Michael has figured out how to get all of the local TV channels once we land so we are good to go to watch the Super Bowl game on the boat tonight. We might go up to the club and say hi to a few people. But we will have to say goodbye in the next few days…….

Big Beautiful Homes on the Approach to Ft. Walton Beach, Florida….

Ft. Walton Yacht Club and Regatta….