Dec 16-17: The Eagle Has Landed!

Alana now rests in slip 15 at the Santa Rosa Yacht & Boat Club, Gulf Breeze, FL, her home for the next 4 or 5 months.

I left Panama City late yesterday afternoon, waiting until just before sunset in the hope of arriving in Pensacola at slack water around 10:30 this morning. Despite my best efforts I ended up being early (perhaps Alana smelled the barn) so ended up battling a pretty good ebb current at the harbor entrance.

The first half of the transit was very serene, perfect really, with the winds kicking up after midnight. The wind was on the beam or abaft it for most of the trip, so despite the 25 knots of wind, the sailing really wasn't too unpleasant. The entry to Pensacola Bay was a bit dicey, with large rollers on the starboard quarter, Alana was rolling crazily. I wasn't able to get a picture, but the sand here is so white that it looks like snow. Several times I found myself thinking I was looking at a Michigan shoreline.

Once I arrived at the marina I fueled at the fuel dock, and embarked George (the dockmaster) who offered to ride over to my slip to help with lines. I have almost completed a minimal cleanup, took a shower, and then, as soon as I get a bite to eat, I have to head over to the office to take care of paperwork. After that it will be time for a serious nap!

Alana now lies 1,081 miles (as the crow flies) from Salem, MA where this odyssey began, and sailed a little over 2,600 miles to get here.