Apalachicola is a quaint little tourist trap and fishing town. We walked the waterfront and did go into one shop. If you own an old boat don't throw away any pieces. Ship bells started at $1,800. That old compass might be worth $2,000.
We visited the Apalachicola Maritime Museum. It was locked up, but a carpenter next door saw us and came over to unlock the door and turn on the lights. He also threw open a large overhead door facing the water and left. A few minutes later a big gust blew through the door and scattered papers and brochures all over the Museum. De Anne and I ran around picking them up and finding heavy items to secure the stacks. We left, thanked the carpenter, and never saw anyone else. Based on the prices we saw in the afore-mentioned shop we could have left the Museum with a million dollars worth of antique boat parts.
Because this is the oyster capitol I felt required to sample some raw while here. The faithful follower will remember I have been investigating this delightful item at every stop since Mobile. Using a grading scale of freshness/size/cost Port St. Joe wins. Sorry Apalachicola, it's a subjective judgement.
Today we travel to Carrabelle, the shrimp capitol. I guess my eating habits are about to change.
Here is Apalachicola from one side of the boat:
....and the other side of the boat:
Blog addition Thursday night 8:30 pm
We left Apalachicola and motored through the morning. The bay is shallow and staying between markers is a must. Even in the marked channel we found some areas where depths were only seven feet. Once we entered St. George Sound depths were better and we could deviate some from the channel. Much better! Sails up and spirits soaring! We had a great sail on one tack 11 miles to an anchorage in Shipping Cove, four miles south of Carabelle.
We are anchored in the sound behind Dog Island. At this point the island is only 50 yards wide. We can see the Gulf from our cockpit and hear the surf on the other beach. Before dinner we rowed to the beach and walked the Gulf side. Back on the sound side De Anne walked the beach while I antagonized the hermit crab population. When 2 hermit crabs meet they fight. I provided introductions. Sometimes you just can't bottle up the inner little boy.
Here is sunset 30 minutes ago:
Another addition Friday 2:30 pm
The wind shifted and increased last night (not in the forecast - of course). Our beach became a lee shore (wind blowing us towards shore), the fetch (wind-driven waves increase the more distance they have to build) was up to 2 feet and we decided to vacate the anchorage without a morning stroll on the beach. High winds off-shore are anticipated over the next 3 days (gusts to 35 knots or in english - 40mph) so we will stay in Carabelle and visit with the other cruisers holed up here just like us.
After 3 days of travel and anchoring out it is nice to be at a dock and in a new town.
2 comments:
Thank you for the beautiful pictures on the blog! Thanks, too, for keeping us updated on your progress through Paradise! We still miss both of you, but we know you are having a wonderful retirement!
Sounds like you are doing well! We are still in Destin; got the wind generator up and cranking; depth sounder working; made an LED anchor light, though it is still hung up in rigging and not atop mast yet. C. has painted the cockpit area and we scraped barnacles off. With the crappy weather coming this week, we probably will not follow you until next week. Also got new electrical panel in and working. Fair Winds, and leave us a few oysters! Skip & Caroline.
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