After two telephone calls, one to Marine Maintenance and the second to his referral, John Zuidewind, John came to the boat Friday and replaced the starboard engine impeller. John’s attention and professionalism is second to none. Within an hour the job was completed, and we had full engine power and no alarms! Thanks, John!

Friday night we enjoyed a terrific dinner in Pensacola (maybe it was Santa Rosa Beach, they kinda run together) at the Grand Marlin on the GICW. I would recommend it, especially the dessert - praline wicker basket filled with vanilla ice cream, caramel, whipped cream, and fresh fruit.

Yesterday we moved along to Baytowne Marina at San Destin / Miramar Beach, FL. I ran the outside route here but not necessarily by design (I missed the sharp cut to port to the GICW and instead continued through the inlet into the Gulf). Fortunately, I spent time the night before checking both routes and monitoring sea conditions. Seas were 2-3 foot swells at 6 second duration. Maybe a little heady for the first time out but you don’t know until you do it. MTB performed very well. I ran her at 2700 rpm and ~21 knots. She ran dry and engaging the auto pilot made navigation simple. We dropped her speed a little and found the ride rougher with seas quartering from her starboard aft (sw winds). So, the 50-mile run took about four hours - dock to dock.

Where yesterday was sunny and warm (wore shorts and a t-shirt for the first time this year! Caution - very white pasty legs alert!), today is humid and foggy.

Today we’ll explore this little village, go grocery shopping and enjoy the trappings of this upscale marina. We are surrounded by large, late model powerboats including a few Tiaras, first we’ve seen since we've been underway.