We are still in Apalachicola. After spending the first night tied to the gazebo, we went to the free dock the police officer told us about. It looked deep enough so we tried nosing in. The wind was howling out of the north, and the current was also coming from the north, so we had to try a couple of times to get into the slip. It was plenty deep -- over 8 feet. This dock is used in the summer by the city, but other than a couple of boats that look abandoned, there are about 8 empty slips. It's just north of the Hwy 98 bridge. There is no water or electricity -- but it's free. Better than anchoring out, and just as free. Plus it's a few minute's walk to the maritime museum and the city marina and all the other activities here in Apalachicola.

Apalachicola is a cute little artsy town that is known as the oyster capital. It is very expensive, though. It's obviously become a tourist trap. We went to Boss Oyster and paid $11 for a dozen oysters on the half shell. We pay less than that for Apalachicola oysters in Pensacola! Breakfast on Sunday morning was also pretty pricey and wasn't even that good. So beware if you are coming to Apalachicola that it's not inexpensive.

I have to leave to get back to Pensacola to work on the 15th. I had intended to get a rental car at the local airport, but I called the Hertz desk and they don't have any cars!  So I reserved a car at Panama City airport and was told there is a concierge that would drive me there. I'm thinking $30 or $40, which is typical of shuttle services. Well, I called and they wanted $175!! I was told by the Hertz office at the local airport that there were no other rental car agencies in Apalachicola. But we decided to ask at the marina where we filled up our tanks, and sure enough, there is another rental car place -- also at the airport. They said only for local use, but Panama City is considered local. So, I'm renting a car to get to Panama City to rent a one-way rental back to Pensacola! 

Ah -- the adveture continues