December 14, 2013, Saturday

Panama City Marina, Panama City, FL:  We were greeted by dauphins again when we left Joe's Bayou anchorage at 06:15 and they followed us in the channel for while.  We had 3 foot rollers on Chactawhatchee Bay.  At first we thought we could beat the rain and thunder storms but by 09:45 it started heavy rain but the thunder storms were still out in the gulf.  We had 2 more dauphins jumping our wake again in the rain; they looked like they were enjoying themselves.  We were going about 10 mph and they were keeping up with us.  By 11:15 the thunder storms got closer to us and we had to find a place of refuge to wait the storm out.  The only place we could find at this point was under the West Bay bridge, just west of Panama City.  We tied up to the bridge with a trawler and a fishing boat and waited an hour and 1/2 for the storm to pass.

We got to Panama City Marina by 14:45 and got settled in.  We met friends for dinner at a Mexican Restaurant and had an enjoyable evening.

N30.15105
W85.66486

CO's comments:  First time at the City Marina, Active Captain's boat was also there.  We will definitely stop there again.

12-14-2013 Dauphins jumping our wake on a rainy day

 

Kim Jo IV tied up to bridge

 

Lone Wolf was in front of Kim Jo IV at bridge

 

 

Fisherman decided to fish as long as they were waiting

 

12-14-2013  Taking refuge from the thunder storm, tied up under the West Bay bridge

12-14-2013 Out to dinner with friends in Panama City, FL; Carl and Greg and Larry and Theresa (it was Greg's and Larry's birthday)