First Day Out

We managed to get away from the docks about 10:30 a.m. so our day was necessarily a short one.  We made it to the NE side of the Hwy 331 bridge near the opening of the intracoatal cut.  The weather was due to turn windy and rainy and the forecasters were right.  We were especially gratefull for the cockpit enclosure.  It is not completely waterproofed but sure beats nothing.  We were able to get in before the rain and enjoy a relaxing toast to the beginning of the journey.

So long Fort Walton Yacht Club for now.  See you next year!

Great sailing wing and wing.  First time the spinaker pole was used for sailing.



Usually he's a standup guy but the site doesn't recognize my photo editing.
 He's studying a new whipping technique for lines.

The Hwy. 331 bridge is having an extra pair of lanes added, ostensibly for
hurricane evacuation but really to get tourists to their condos faster.

Whatever the reason for expansion, it is a cool sight to see the new lanes
under construction.  The cranes and barges working the project are huge
and impressive.  They had to sink several, large metal pilings off from the
bridge to secure supply barges when not in use.  They are not on a chart so
good thing we had daylight to come past them.

These buoys are huge.

Just a beautiful sun in the clouds picture.

Of course those clouds have rain!