Last Dance: Florida Panhandle

Cruising on Last Dance

This blog archives the adventures of Glen and Jill Moore and provides a means of communication for friends and family. Exploration and adventure have been synonymous with boats and water for centuries. The joy of adventures shared while exploring new places and meeting new people has built a strong bond for Glen and Jill. Last Dance is the platform for the exploration.

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." St. Augustine, 354 - 430

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain, 1835 - 1910

"There is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing around in boats." The Wind in the Willows, 1908, Kenneth Grahame, 1859 - 1932

"I've never believed speed and ease are conductive to living fully, becoming aware, or deepening memory, a tripod of urges to stabilize and lend meaning to life." River Horse: a log book of a boat across America, 1999, William Least Heat-Moon,1939 -

The Great Loop -- The current adventure is a circumnavigation of the Eastern United States, cruising north up the east coast through New York into Canada, across the Great Lakes to Chicago, navigating multiple river systems south to Mobile, along the Gulf coast to the Florida Keys and back to St. Augustine. This trip by boat is commonly referred to as the Great Loop. Progress and current location are indicated by the red line on the map to the right. It was titled the Traceless Path in recognition of a German sailor we met in St. Augustine who published booklets of his travels with hand-drawn, detailed maps describing his travels across the water as the Traceless Path.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Florida Panhandle - Shell Island

Shell Island is a barrier island along the Gulf of Mexico which separates the Gulf from St. Andrews Sound. Panama City lies along the north side of the Sound and Tyndal Air Force Base is located on a peninsula in the middle of the Sound. Above, Jill and Bonnie are on the bayside beach with Tyndal in the background.

Tyndal pilots remind you that they are next door with training exercises flying over Shell Island and St. Andrews Sound. But, they were the only visitors to the Island. Being a bit late in the cruising season provided the Last Dance crew with a private island to enjoy.

White sand and clear, turquoise water, looking west

The Gulf Beach, looking east

There is a reason the island is named Shell Island - note the bag of shells in Jill's right hand. The beachcomber was in her element on Shell Island.

Well, there were traces of other visitors along the beach. This one drags a toe as it walks . . . seems a bit alien.

Plovers nest in the dunes and feed along the Gulf and bayside shores.

Islands move. Shell Island provides multiple evidences that it is moving north away from the Gulf. Right, a forest of tree stumps that once was a stand of trees on the uplands.

On the bay side, the island has moved past the end of a dock. The triple-pole dolphins that once held large and deep draft boats now stand far from deep water.

The forces of nature created their own artistry. Sculpture along the Gulf waters.

Beautiful, warm, sunny days provided great beach walking, but the evenings were spectacular. Last Dance floats at anchor as the sun begins to set over the Gulf, an area famous for sunsets. The photos below are a sequence from the first night at anchor by Shell Island.

1 comment:

E.J.L said...: Awesome Posts - and wonderful pictures!; April 25, 2012 at 6:56 PM