Sandestin Marina - Flag Day

Today we slept in until the dogs started whimpering.  With nothing on our schedule, we are both in a relaxed mood.  At the marina, Tom meets a diver who agrees to check our zinc anodes along with any lines we may have snagged.  As we may have hit a few dead head logs during our river travels, especially in the early days of the flooded Ohio,  we want to be sure all is good to go for our Gulf run...and it is.

In he goes....

We head up to the bicycle hut, and grab two bikes, which are free, in a way, with our slip dockage. Along the way we notice several college flags flying in the wind at the bar and grill.

Not sure how this Yankee Flag is flying with Tennessee, Texas A & M, Louisiana, and Alabama,  but we like it!  We're Buckeye Proud!

We pick up our bikes and head to the bike path. This resort is massive and very beautiful. It is very bike friendly and we take the path leading to the white sandy beach.

Beachfront Condos from the bike path

View from the beach

Golf courses along the bike path

We arrive to the beach.  We spot another flag. It is a pretty yellow.

Miramar Beach

Perhaps yellow not so pretty for us! Small craft warning.

The beach is beautiful with the white sand and the white cap waves. We check the marine forecast and the Gulf will be rough until Monday, at least.  So, while we have been unusually blessed with sunny clear skies, our good luck is now balanced with an extended forecast of bad marine weather.  We will not be able to make the pass through the Gulf  to Clearwater until  sometime next week, weather permitting.

The churning Gulf

 Finally, our last flag of the day is a sad one.  Dulcinea's Dan and Nancy flew their white flag.  Due to work commitments and upcoming  family plans, they are not able to wait out the temperamental Gulf weather.  They decide to rent a car and head home to southern Florida. They secure a captain to bring their boat the rest of the way. They came a long way, from Minneapolis, and it was a blessing we crossed their path. We will miss them and now us kids will have to fend for ourselves.  Safe travels to them and to all  goodnight!

Sunset at Elephant Walk beachfront restaurant.