Two Georges Marina was home for Honey Queen while we were in Pine Mountain, GA.
We turned our sites to Pearl Bayou and left Two Georges Marina behind about 7:15 am. Our journey today would be 8.5 hours and cover 68 NM.
Our first leg was about 20 miles across the Choctawhatchee Bay. The day was sunny and the water flat. The temps reached the mid 60’s, which is almost balmy compared to what we’ve endured the last few weeks.
The day was pretty uneventful. We enjoyed the porpoises visiting the bow occasionally and saw lots of bird activity in the bay, feeding on fish.
The Choctawhatchee Bay was loaded with porpoises, pelicans, and loons. Often, 3-4 porpoises would escort us. So much fun as they effortlessly glide inches off the bow.
The remainder of the day was “inside” on the ICW.
We toyed with the idea of staying at a marina instead of going all the way to the anchorage. It had been a long day and we were feeling like a marina would compensate for our laziness. But as we checked marina after marina, along the way, we were soon reminded of the damage that Hurricane Michael had inflicted in October of 2018. Almost every marina is still closed in this area. Many have no docks, or if so, they were so damaged they have been rendered useless.
There was no one on any of the other boats at Pearl Bayou.
We arrived at Pearl Bayou, an ideal anchorage because it is surrounded, almost completely, by land mass. Unless the wind is really brisk out of the East, the water is flat as a lake. There were 4 other boats nestled into the area, but we had no problem finding a good spot to set the anchor.
This anchorage is adjacent to Tyndale Air Force base. At 5 pm sharp, I heard the Star Spangled Banner being played over the base’s PA system. I had forgotten this practice on every military base. My first exposure to that experience was at Ft. Gordon (outside Augusta) as young kid fresh out of college. My first jobsite assignment was there and I quickly learned to drop WHATEVER I was doing at 5 pm and promptly stand and place hand over heart for the daily performance of the National Anthem. Though I never served in the military, I was always impressed by this critical tradition, watching soldiers stop (driving their personal cars) in the middle of the road, get out, and salute Old Glory. It is not optional. It is what you do. And now, 45 years later, I am so glad I was taught to respect the flag and for all it stands. Train up a child as he should go, and when he is old, he will not depart from it.
Darkness arrives these days shortly after 5, being on the central time zone line, so an anchorage, compared to a marina, usually means early dinner, reading, maybe Wheel of Fortune, a tiny bowl of ice cream, and 2 games of Solitaire.
This Honey Queen herself often prepares gourmet meals when restaurants are not an option. Tonight, Country Captain and fresh green beans.
With virtually no tide and no wind (this night), the boat feels like it is sitting on the boat yard instead of water. An occasional creak of the anchor chain during the minuscule tide wing is the only noise. Anchoring out can be one of life’s greatest pleasures. Twas a lovely day indeed.