11/10/2010 HOMEPORT MARINA TO PALAFOX PIER MARINA IN PENSACOLA, FLORIDA

WEDNESDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY:   26 NM

Oh my gosh, I finally feel like we are really south and beginning to enjoy the sun once again. Our day started out bright and sunny and stayed that way. The blue skies were brushed with flimsy clouds just to break up the monotony

BLUE SKIES AND WHISPERS OF CLOUDS

Within a few minutes we were passing the lovely Marina at the Wharf with a Ferris Wheel peeking up from behind.

MARINA AT THE WHARF

FERRIS WHEEL INVITING ALL TO EXPERIENCE THE "HIGH LIFE"

Our wildlife sightings for the day included osprey, herons (of course), cormorants, jumping dolphin and loons. Yes I did say loons! We saw several common loons enjoying their winter migratory home.

OSPREY WATCHING THE WATER TRAFFIC GO BY

DOLPHIN JUST UNDER THE WATER AT OUR BOW, CHECKING US OUT

Once we got to Pensacola’s Palafox Pier and Yacht Club and were secure in our home, we got another Enterprise car and found our way to the National Naval Aviation Museum. On our way there we were treated to a surprise fly-by of the Blue Angels. Let me tell you, that was a huge adrenalin rush.

Image via Wikipedia

Once at on the base and at the museum we began our adventure. At every turn it just got better and better. When we asked about taking photos we were not only given permission but encouraged to take all the pictures we wanted and to touch and experience as much as possible. There were simulators that we could climb into, scads of planes on display and many audio enhased displays. We could have used twice the allotted time there and I highly recommend this museum to anyone traveling in this area.

WELCOME TO THE NATIONAL MUSEUM OF NAVAL AVIATION

MEMORIAL SCULPTURE

R6DC-118 LIFTMASTER SIMULATOR

JUDY TRYING IT OUT

TIGHT FIT FOR DAN

1917 TOMMY TRAINING PLANE

1919 SOPWITH CAMEL WITH SNOOPY

SOVIET MIG-15 INTERCEPTOR PLANE USED IN KOREAN WAR

F9F-COUGAR

Driving back to the Quest we passed a West Marine store and the car just automatically veered into their parking lot. Dan did find a coupler that he needed for the dingy fuel line and we added a chart book to our already huge library. Dan is threatening to throw both me and the charts overboard if I don’t stow some of them away.

For any of you “Loopers” still coming this way, be sure to stop into the Global Grill for an upscale meal. They have both tapas and main dishes that are to die for. Visit them downtown at 27 South Palafox Place and share some tapas.