After the long, calm, narrow, and winding river system, there is a marked difference in the two waterway systems. The picture below is a screenshot of our boat and truly depicts how the river winds back and forth; Remembering that the Tenn-Tom was a man made river system.
Entering Mobile Bay, was a huge accomplishment as we have now exited the river system and entered the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean which are made up of salt water. The calm of the rivers are now replaced by waves and tides which now need to be considered.
Our first stop was at the Fairhope Yacht Club Marina and the small, eclectic town of Fairhope. We took an Uber into town and walked around the many shops and had fun exploring. Fairhope had the neatest book shop that sponsors lots of authors and fun events for adults and kids alike. Book recommendations by staff were listed and the staff was quite helpful. The bookstore wrapped around and included a coffee bar on one side and a wine bar on the other side. We had to stop for ice cream at Mr. Gene’s Beans recommended by friends. There was a French Quarter area and a variety of unique shops – one that sold very artistic umbrellas and bags. The author Winston Groom who wrote Forrest Gump was from Fairhope. Sushi for dinner wrapped up the fun day of exploring.
Continuing East along the panhandle of Florida, we were now traveling along the GICW – Gulf Intracoastal Waterway. We passed by the infamous LULU’s Restaurant better known as Jimmy Buffet’s sister’s restaurant. Although we didn’t stop at Lulu’s as we were boating, we did take an uber BACK later in the week and had fun saying we had stopped there.
We ended up in Orange Beach at The Wharf Marina. What a great spot!
We had such a fun week exploring The Wharf! The AGLCA Fall Rendezvous will be held here next year. We walked around the enclosed town with the variety of restaurants, rode our bikes along some great bike paths, cheered on our Ohio State Buckeyes from the Italian Restaurant, Villagio, and had fun hanging out with other loopers. We went into town quite frequently for breakfast at The Southern Grind Coffee House for Pete the Breakfast Lover! Tuesday night was Taco Tuesday with other loopers at the YoHo Rum & Tacos Mexican restaurant. We walked around and got ice cream. Afterwards, we found a Speakeasy outside of the jewelry shop. With group support, we cracked the code and a few of us chose to enter to celebrate and drink to our success! We had fun calling out to Jack, our dock hand who rode his bike all around the docks and the town. Jack reminded us of our grandson Noah.
Thursday November 21st, we left The Wharf and headed to Pensacola. We met up with Dick and Louise form Nine Lives and Sandy and Frank from Proost for dinner at the Global Grill. Friday we had dinner with Tony and Katie from Katie B and Sandy at Jaco’s, the marina restaurant. Saturday – breakfast at The Ruby Slipper with an OSU preview! We walked around the town, explored the shops, and ate dinner at the Bavaria Restaurant. So good! The town was decorating and preparing for the fast approaching Christmas holidays so that was fun. Sunday breakfast at Bodacious was also very yummy. Monday – breakfast at The Ruby Slipper again! Lol Sylvain and Marie from Hakuna Matata joined us for dinner at Jaco’s. A friend asked what we were doing in Pensacola and we said we were eating our way around the town! Lol We did walk around and explored to learn a little history.
Tuesday – Early departure to Two Georges Marina in Panama City. Wednesday – Skip and Lisa stopped in with their new looper boat that they were taking home to Tennessee (Going the opposite direction from us). A fun dinner out and Little Beer Toasts afterwards!
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 28TH – THANKSGIVING DAY 2024
Thanksgiving was very different this year with us being on the boat. We actually celebrated with Sylvain and Marie who are Canadians! They invited us over for a delicious breakfast of Bagels and Lox and Cappuccinos. Afterward we all drove to Destin and went to a beautiful sandy beach. It was a lovely day to be thankful for all our blessings for sure. We ate a typical Thanksgiving dinner at Harbor Docks Restaurant. There was no cost, but you made a donation and the money went towards the Habitat for Humanity Organization.
Friday – Hakuna Matata left and Pete and I were on our own. A stop by Chick-Fil-A for Peppermint shakes (Thanks to the Mentor Whitely’s for that tradition) and dinner was at McGuire’s Irish Pub in Destin! Cyrissa suggested that we go there. Wow! Huge place – dollar bills stuffed all over the ceiling, bathrooms confusing (ask Pete about that), a huge gift shop of course, but really good Irish food. And it was fun to go to a place our kids had been to when they visited Destin and one they recommended as well.
Sunday we headed to Panama City at Point South Bay Point Marina where Spring Fling was going to lay over through the holidays. Dinner together with Cavalier and Katie B before we all left for the holidays.
At this marina they host fishing contests and the fishers can get paid quite handsomely if they have the largest fish that weighs the most. The staff came up with with this creative Christmas Tree version of a fish that they typically weigh on their scales! Merry Christmas!