Steinhatchee, FL to Roberts Bayou, AL

Total Miles Traveled 2737

On Tuesday April 17^th before leaving Steinhatchee, we had heard about a waterfall a few miles up the river from the marina.  We decided to go exploring with Charlie and Robin in our dinghy’s to see if we could find it.  There are several private docks, condominiums, restaurants, and marinas along the shoreline.  

Hungry Howie"s Pizza

 River Haven Marina, we stayed here last fall.

 Fiddlers Restaurant and Motel

The farther up river we traveled we noticed the current increasing.

We passed this sign “Do not enter Rocks 100 feet”.

After rounding the bend it was obvious the Steinhatchee Falls were rocks in the riverbed and the previous day’s rain raised the river level above the rocks.  We turned around before approaching the turbulent water and risking prop damage.

Sea Hag Marina

At daybreak on April 19^th we left Steinhatchee on our last leg of crossing the Gulf of Mexico to Carrabelle, Fl an 85 mile cruise.  Every time we cross this section of Florida’s Big Bend, we see spotted dolphins, this time was no exception, we had seven travel with us today.

We also picked up a hitchhiker, we’re not sure when it came aboard, but we were out over 10 miles at one point during the day.  I clapped my hands to see if it would fly off but it was obvious it was exhausted and not going anywhere.  We had no idea what it was but it was very colorful, a brilliant purple with a bright red and yellow bill and really weird looking feet.  At first I thought it had fishing line tangled up in its feet but not the case.

When we arrived at Carrabelle we were greeted by our good friends we completed part of the loop with, Hamp on “Gracie”, and Jeff on “2 Infinity”.  They are returning Hamps boat “Gracie” back to Melbourne from Panama City.  Kim the dock master said they had a local man that took in injured birds and nursed them back to health before releasing them.  Hamp placed the bird in a cardboard box and took it to the marina office for us. 

This is what I found on the net about the Purple Gallinule:

Swims on the surface of water like a duck and walks on floating plants rather like a chicken.

Dark Purple head, neck, and underside.

Green Back

Red bill tipped with yellow

Light blue forehead

Bill triangular like a chicken’s, not flat like a duck’s

Legs are yellow.

We all met at Fathoms Raw Oyster Bar and introduced Charlie and Robin to our looper friends.  We had a great visit talking about our experiences together on the Great Loop.  I’m sure we’ll cross wakes again during future adventures.

We departed Carrabelle April 20^th and made the 30 mile cruise to Apalachicola, the wind has picked up again so it’s nice to be back in the protected waters of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway.  Florida and Georgia have been in a battle over water for 30 years, Florida’s complaint is that the cities and farmers of Georgia are not managing the fresh water efficiently reducing the amount needed for oyster production downstream and killing the oyster industry.   Apalachicola used to be the oyster capital of the world providing 90 percent of Florida’s oysters and 10 percent nationwide.  From what we are told most of the oysters come from Louisiana and Texas today.   We stopped by our favorite Oyster Bar “The Hole in the Wall” and got the scoop from the owner.  He said they still serve Apalachicola oysters as they have been a family owned business for decades and know the local oysterman.  He showed us a tag that comes with every box of oysters sold that shows the date and location harvested.  He confirmed that most restaurants now get there oysters from other states and oyster farms. 

After one night at Apalachicola we continued north to White City, we have stayed at the free dock several times while passing through and planned to stay here a couple of days while another storm front approaches.   We usually don’t leave the boat, but Charlie walked off the dock and noticed a sign indicating no overnight docking permitted (the sign faces away from the dock so when you tie up you don’t’ see it).  He talked to a local fisherman and was told the local authorities will ask you to leave, and could impose a $500 fine for ignoring their request.   White City is not an incorporated town and there is no local police or town marshals available to contact.  We decided to continue on to Port St Joe.

We left Port St Joe April 23^rd and anchored at Smack Bayou, across the bay from Panama City.  This dolphin was jumping next to the boat in East Bay, it didn't turn out in the picture but the entire underside of the dolphin was pink.  When it would jump, it turned upside down. 

On April 24^th we continued on to an anchorage at Choctawhatchee Bay.  Our friends from back home Brad and Nancy live close to here and a nice waterfront restaurant is also located here.  It was nice visiting with them over dinner.  We also got a peak at Nancy’s new ride, a sharp two seater Mini Cooper.

We left our anchorage and planned to stay at Fort Walton Beach City dock but decided to continue on to Pensacola.  We planned to anchor at Ft McCray but when we arrived dredging equipment was scattered everywhere as they were working on the channel close to the island.  We decided to push on to Roberts Bayou, one of our favorite stops when passing though this area.  We’ll anchor here for a couple of days and let a weak front pass through then continue on to Mobile on Saturday April 28^th.