Great Loop Adventures Aboard Next Chapter: Where Naval Aviators are Made

Pensacola

Tuesday morning was finally splash day. The yard guys maneuvered the travel lift under Next Chapter and gently hoisted her off the blocks and made the way to the water. Once in the water I jumped aboard to check the rudder seals to make sure there was no water coming in. Starboard side check. Port side, shit it was leaking. So back out of the water we go and back onto the blocks.

They left me in the slings to see if we could quickly resolve the issue. So I went into hyperdrive to drop the rudder out and Sue found a fellow Looper with a car to take her to get a new seal. Two hours later I had it all back together for “Take Two.” Fortunately this time the seal did it’s job and we were off for the 30 mile cruise to Pensacola.

On the way we decided to pull off 10 miles early to slip into a neat anchorage at the ruins of Fort McRee. The anchorage was between a high sand dune and barrier island to the south with brilliant white sand, emerald colored water and loads of dolphin about. It is also situated at the south end of the runway at Pensacola Naval Air Station home of the Blue Angles.

If we were there on a Tuesday we would have prime seats for the practice runs. As I’m sure some of you know Naval Air Station Pensacola is where the vast majority of Naval aviators are trained to fly. The Barrier afforded wild natural views of the Gulf of Mexico with remnants of the fort built back in the 1800’s.

Wednesday morning we headed for the short 10 mile run to Pensacola. After we got settled we decided to go to the National Aviation Museum on the air base. We took an Uber ride there but were turned away at the gate.

The guard said, “Sorry the museum is not open to the public.” Where were all my Navy friends when I need them? So basically we ended up with an Uber ride to nowhere. When we got back to the marina we mounted up on our bikes and rode into the historic district of Pensacola. Later on we caught up with Karen and David Blakey from It’s About Time. They are from Norfolk.

We met up with them prior to starting the Loop. We last saw them in the Chesapeake and finally connected with them 3500+ miles later. We really liked the feel of the area and decided to stay another night. The next day we did a number of museums which were somewhat like a watered down Williamsburg like deal but included the history art museum. We spent the entire day walking around enjoying all that was offered.

Destin

Friday we left early for a 49 mile cruise to Destin. We passed thru a number of bayous, sounds and lakes all on the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway.

We arrived to Destin about 1:30 and dropped the anchor in the nicely protected harbor. Destin has a great waterfront development complete with all the usual trappings. We walked the boardwalk and struck up a conversation with a mate cleaning red snapper from a charter.

He indicated that the clients did not want the fish so as you can imagine I jumped at the opportunity. Fresh fish for dinner! We did not eat it that night but had dinner at a great meal at a restaurant called Bouchards. The next morning clouds moved in with the threat of rain. Later in the day our Boston friends from Odyssey joined us at the anchorage. We went to shore and bar hopped to all the local dive bars.

We got in a game of Bar Shuffle board, you know the table with the metal pucks that slide on the granular substance. They were mainstay fixtures in all the local dive bars from the 70’s. Anyhow back onboard Sue made a great fresh fish dinner that included some fresh caught Gulf shrimp. Many laughs later we called it a night.

Red Door. Dive bar in Destin

Destin beach

Some type of tower. No clue really but very cool looking

Pensacola town square

The collection from Trader Jons. He had a bar in Pensacola that became one of the most famous bars in the US. He had a massive collection mostly Blue Angle memorabilia. It turned into a museum. He had 7 VIP rides in a Blue Angle jet. The most of any civilian.