Nov 8-11 Panama City, FL

It's all about HURRICANE IDA this week!

We returned to KOKOMO II at the Bay Point Marina in Panama City on Sunday Nov 8th instead of Tuesday Nov. 10th as planned. Hurricane Ida has moved north from Mexico and intensified and has headed toward the Gulf Coast of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida. Where she will go - nobody knows.

On Sunday around noon as we were returning to Stuart after Maggie's wedding, we got a call from Fred Clarkson, another 'looper' on the PERFECT REMEDY who was berthed next to us in Bay Point. He told us that Ida was strengthening to a category two and heading north. He said he saw that we had only one set of lines out and would we like him to do anything to secure our boat. We weren't paying any attention to the boat as we were just enjoying Maggie's wedding. Fred's call was a timely 'wake up' call. So - we got in our car with an hours notice and drove the eight hours from Stuart to Panama City. We arrived on Sunday evening. We spent the night on the boat to be ready to make hurricane preparations on Monday. Thanks Fred!!!!

Panama City Pier.
Surf's up in advance of Hurricane Ida.

Panama City Beach.

Several 'loopers' hauled their boats in case the storm moved this way. Latest reports are that the storm is heading Northwest and away from any direct hit in Florida,

Hurricane Ida came ashore near Mobile Alabama, (over 100 miles west of us) on Monday evening/Tuesday Morning and had little impact on Panama City.

Water over the dock at Bay Point Marina.
No damage to any boat here.

The high tide early Tuesday morning was over the docks about six inches and so the marina turned off the power to the docks as a preventive measure. The power stayed on in almost all of Panama City. We see a few trees down and that seemed to be the only bad result of the storm as it went 50 miles inland past Panama City. Everyone is very relieved.

So we head off to see the sights in Panama City Beach and wait for the waves in the Gulf of Mexico to subside. There are lots of hotels, rental condominiums, restaurants and tourist attractions here. Many date back to the 1950's.

Ripley's Believe It Or Not Museum.

Marina office in Panama City Beach.

Tourist shop.
Enter through the shark's mouth.

Some of the early tourist attractions are being torn down.
The devil you say.....

We discovered a new outdoor shopping mall developed by the Simon Company. Very attractive with all free standing stores clustered together in a 'Main Street' fashion. Lots of restaurants and bars. This property brings Panama City Beach into the modern era. Dillards and J C Penny are here and are free standing stores with parking on the streets as in an old fashioned downtown.

Pier Park in Panama City Beach.

Old Florida style architecture.

A new 'main street'.

These dolphin are displayed around town. They are another example of artists showcasing their talent and auctioning the product to raise money for a local charity. Good program.

Restaurant closed but art remains outside.

Dolphin in front of the Bay Point Marina office.

By Wednesday the storm has blown through and the sky is clear. Bay waters are flat calm and the Gulf of Mexico is subsiding. All is well.

KOKOMO II at Bay Point Marina all cleaned up after Hurricane Ida.

Bay Point Marina is a favorite for cruisers.
Good facilities, nice people, nice restaurant and a Marriott Hotel on site.
Low monthly rates, too.

Talked with Fred Clarkson (who gave us the 'wake up' call) and found he went to Pompano Beach High School (he was a 'Beanpicker') and graduated in 1962 and then went to University of Florida. He is now a retired physician and he and his wife Sharon live in Belair near Clearwater. Small world.