Home Stretch

Home Stretch

After getting the whiff of home with the fresh seafood and saltwater tang we made swift tracks for St Andrews Marina with longer cruising days and fewer stops.  We also did most of this stretch last fall on our shakedown cruise so we selected alternate stops. Our first stop was at Ingram Bayou across from Orange Beach.  On the way we passed the famous Lulu’s run by Jimmy Buffet’s sister.  On the opposite shore was the even more colorful Tacky Jacks – but we opted for the empty serene bayou.  Our next stop was the Fort Walton Beach Municipal free docks just west of the Brooks Bridge and a short walk from town and the Mounds Museum.  We have driven by this museum many times, and were glad to finally be there when it was open. While this mound is also from the Mississippian period, the museum had only a small display of arrow heads compared to the Florence museum.  However, they had very interesting exhibits on the ancient pottery with numerous examples of the designs and styles.  This mini museum was a fitting and an interesting final stop on our looping journey although we did also visit a few of the galleries and specialty shops on the main drag as we wandered around Fort Walton Beach.  In the morning the fog did not materialize thanks to the 12 knot winds overnight, so in spite of the 37 degree temps, we headed out with the sun for the final leg on our loop as the Dolphins again were leaping in front of our bow.