Fort McRee, Florida
December 16, 2024
On Saturday we cruised across the Florida state line and to one of our favorite anchorages, Fort McRee. The water here is quite clear and turns emerald when the sun hits right. We’re surrounded on nearly all sides by powdery white sand dunes. There is no civilization in sight and the sound of the Gulf’s waves crashing on the opposite side of the sand is a perfect lullaby.
Now that we are on a less-hurried pace, we have more time to take in the nature here, which seems to always have another surprise in store. On today’s hike we watched a large pod of dolphins hunting against the incoming tide, corralling fish along the shore and leaping into the air to redirect them. We saw a type of starfish we’ve never seen before, spindly and wearing dark spots as it scavenged the shore.
Across the channel on the mainland is the Naval Air Station Pensacola, and we were lucky enough to witness the Blue Angels training in formation.
It is wonderfully uncrowded due to the season, and warmed into the 70’s today. After work we enjoyed a sunset walk on the dunes. The best part is we are on no sort of schedule, so we can stay as long as we’d like.
December 18, 2024
We’ve never seen one of these before – it’s a Portuguese Man O’ War! We found a number of them washed up on the Gulf side of the beach.
Daily Travel Log | To the Bahamas & Back
Day 16 • we are back on the move and we’ve got dolphins - a sign that better times are coming
Mobile to Ingram Bayou, Alabama
Day 17 • we’ve returned to one of our favorite anchorages - white sand dunes, emerald water, ocean sounds
Ingram Bayou, Alabama to Fort McRee, Florida
Day 18 • slept in, made a big breakfast, hung the main sail, walked the beach
Fort McRee, Florida
Day 19 • beach jogging, starfish finding, dolphin watching, sun setting
Fort McRee, Florida
Day 20 • morning barefoot beach walk, evening sunset celebration - much like being in a Lisa Frank dolphin poster
Fort McRee, Florida
Day 21 • moved east a little, caught up over dinner with sailboat friends that we haven’t seen since Chicago
Fort McRee to Pensacola Beach, Florida