Great Loop: Apalachicola - I'm Back in the Trawler Again....

Gulf Intra-Coastal Waterway East of Panama City

January 13th, 2022

To paraphrase Gene Autry...

I'm back in the trawler again

Out where a friend is a friend

Where the harbor porpoise blow

And we don't mind going slow

Back in the trawler again.....

Can you tell we are excited to be back on the water?  Yep, we could hardly wait to get started.  With all our projects complete, we had no excuses for staying in port.  Time to resume our voyage of discovery.  Water was topped off prior to leaving Bristol Harbor. We departed our slip at 7 am to a wonderfully calm day with no breeze, glass like water, and a glorious sunrise.  First order of business was to call the Massalina Bayou Drawbridge to get an opening, so we could gain entry to the bay on which Panama City sits proudly.  We passed by an already active commercial fish dock, with seagulls already circling and squawking as if to herald our departure.  The noise only buoyed our mode.  Boldly Any Marie glided into the bay and headed to St. Andrews Marina for her morning breakfast of diesel fuel.  As the delicate lady she is, she also emptied her "waste tank" after breakfast, composed herself and headed east on the Gulf intracoastal waterway.

"Perfect Choice" on the waterway

On this day we cruised with friends from home.  Brian and Ellen on Perfect Choice, a 30' Camano Troll.  This was the first time we have had a chance to cruise together.  Perfect Choice took the lead and we headed off for a 58 mile voyage to Apalachicola.  

Regions of Hurricane Damage

Along the way, damage from past hurricanes was constantly visible.  Trees were snapped off 30' up and the fallen trunks were littering the ground throughout the cypress swamps and bogs on both sides of the waterway.  We saw cabins, buildings and structures which were flattened, damaged or carried by winds and tides great distances from their original locations.  Although years had passed since the events, recovery was still an ongoing process.

Remote Regions of the Gulf Intra-Coastal Waterway (GICW)

We travelled through one of the more remote regions of Florida.  We saw very little evidence of people.  What we saw was clustered near the one road which penetrated this area.  It was clear that living in this area was a tough existence in which you had to accept the harsh terms of Mother Nature.  It was her domain and she was in charge.  We could count on one hand the number of other boats which we encountered.  

Just prior to Apalachicola, we passed through a rusting railroad swing bridge.  It was clear it had not been used in many years.  The town was, prior to the Civil War, one of the most active Gulf ports, through which passed millions of dollars of cotton and other farm goods.  The artery which enabled the flourishing of trade was the Apalachicola River.  It was navigable all the way to Columbus Georgia.  So cotton for the mills in the north east and Europe flowed down the Apalachicola River to be loaded on ships for transit to the mills.  During the Civil War the town was blockaded by Union Forces.  Economically, this hastened the end of Apalachicola's commercial prosperity.  Railroads were constructed to transport cotton to Atlantic coast ports such as Savanah. Timber products provided a boost to the local economy, but that has tapered off too.  Now the town is dependent upon tourist trade and the charm of its remote location and laid back lifestyle to attract visitors.  It is well worth visiting.  We loved it. 

An Apalachicola Sunrise

Downtown Apalachicola

It was clear that the town benefited from the tourist trade.  It is a weekend destination for Floridians as Mendocino is for Northern Californians.  Their shops were cute, restaurants tasty, and brewpubs noisy with people at outside tables.

Local Brew Pub

(Early Morning)

We enjoyed an early morning walk.  While the town was not yet awake, it was such a peaceful and tranquil portion of the day.  Good time for reflection and exploration.  Also a good time to stretch our legs prior to being in passage for the day.  

Main Street

Prior to departure, Beth is insuring her recently acquired mint plant is getting some love, sunshine and water.  This is her new pet.  We'll see how well it travels.  So far it has survived three days aboard and has not experienced seasickness.

Beth tends to her mint plant

So long Apalachicola, we would love to come see your again.  Such a wonderful place to slow down and relax, with just the right amount of tasty places to delight the senses.

Apalachicola Municipal Waterfront