Driving thru Pensacola, there were large lovely churches
Another interesting church building
New and old in downtown Pensacola
Here we split off Interstate-10 and head for the coastal route
Old Pensacola cemetary
One of many marshes we would see during the drive
There were many parks along the Pensacola Bay
This coal barge was going under our bridge
Florida is famous for it's pastel houses on stilts
High rise condo on the outer islands
One of the lovely tourist beach towns along the Gulf
And one of many, many bridges connecting the islands to the mainland
All of their boats are raised off the water
White sands and green grasses along the intercoastal
We drove through many areas of arched trees over the road
Palm trees are everywhere now
Another of the many parks along the water
Highe dunes along Highway 98
The soft powdery sand needs the grasses to hold it from blowing...
The sand is so very white and soft
More dunes and grasses
Gulf side of the highway
Ruins of a forest, hurricane devastation
We crossed a lot of bridges
Halfway across this bridge the boaters are only in about 2' of...
Busy Gulf cities
Pine forest inbetween cities
Another lovely bridge over aqua water with palm trees
More hotels or condos on the intercoastal islands
Pine forests and Palmettos
The city of Panama City Beach is a big tourist town
More condos on the water
What happened here? Miscalculation?
Larry liked this little paddleboat advertising a restaurant
Here we are in Panama City
Lots of Spanish Moss here on the trees
Traveling along on Beach Street showing St. Andrews Bay
View of St. Andrew's Bay
Panama City Elks with our rigs and their beach
Couple of Pelicans in St Andrews Bay
Getting ready to set out to lay booms
Local newspaper headline
Local marina inhabitants
Pelican soaring above the marina
Larry trying out the warm water of the bay
Cheryl had to try it too - VERY warm water
We headed for the coastal route, Highway 98, so we could see the Gulf communities with the white sandy beaches. We saw some intercoastal waterways, some beaches, some pine forests and palmettos. We saw some lovely southern homes and tall condos on the Gulf islands.
We settled in at the Panama City Elks Lodge which is next door to the marina and the City Hall. The Elks Lodge has its own beach which we just had to try out. There was no signs of oil yet but they were worried. The water looked a little brown near the shore but we were told that it was because there had been some heavy rains lately and it was muddy water coming down the rivers and creeks into the bay. Also, like we had seen in Alaska, when fresh water comes into salt water it takes a while to mix and it looks murky.
The water was so warm that it was NOT refreshing, since we were so hot and very humid. We walked around the marina and saw a group of law enforcement and fishing boats gathering on the docks in preparation of setting out with some Coast Guard booms. They were going over the safety proceedures.
The Lodge Lounge was not normally open but someone was preparing for an event so they welcomed us, and our neighbors, in for a drink. We were very grateful for the wonderfully cool air conditioning.
Our neighbors are (naturally) Elks, but they are also Escapees that have Texas drivers licenses and have their mail forwarded from Livingston. We enjoyed their company and discovered we are heading in the same direciton.