WE’VE REACHED OUR JOURNEY’S END…FOR NOW!

Well we haven’t posted since we departed Gulfport.  Thought we would just do one final post to encompass the remaining portion of the trip.

Our first night out of Gulfport found us anchored in Sarasota Bay near Bradenton.  We sailed across Tampa Bay past the Sunshine Skyway bridge.  It is quite a feat of engineering!

Encountered a lot of channel that was very thin and saw signs telling us exactly that.  Motored the rest of the way and were anchored about 3PM, just before a sun shower which at least left us with a rainbow.  Always neat when you can both ends!

The next day on to Lemon Bay near Englewood.  Both anchorages were just off the ICW less than 1/4 mile so it made for quick and easy anchoring.   We did have the option to sail the Gulf rather than take the inside passage, but we chose the ICW just to check it out. 

Dry stack boats...you don't see this everywhere.

This is what we would call "hard aground".

There were many sights to see including wildlife, spectacular waterside homes, marinas, parks and much more. 

We have yet to see a manatee.

This shows to how shallow it is.  He was close to our boat!

Just another beautiful home...I'll take it!

This swing bridge had to be opened by hand, that is the bridge tender you 

When we neared the last bridge we would have to go through we got a call from friends Jim and Cindy.  

They had a boat on the same dock as we did in Menominee Marina and relocated down here several years ago.  They came out with their daughter and 2 grandbabies to welcome us.  How nice to see some familiar faces!!  

We exited the ICW and with wind on the nose, motored into Charlotte Harbor.

At least we could watch other people sail.

 

We arrived at our new home port here at Fisherman’s Village Marina on Thursday about 2PM.  Once we were in and tied up, we could not believe that A) we made it AND B) t is over!!  Well, it isn’t really over – it has just begun!  

View from our slip

Free Bird's new home

We are getting used to our new surroundings, meeting new folks and reconnecting with friends we have not seen for awhile.  Our new marina has lots to offer and a big entertainment and shopping complex right next door.  We weren't off the boat 5 minutes when we were invited to docktails at 5:00.  I think we are going to like it here!  

And we already know that we love Punta Gorda - great parks, bike trails, brick streets, just a cool vibe and great people.  Everyone on the dock has been very welcoming.  I am sure it will feel like "home" before too long.

Ponce De Leon

 

We will miss our fellow Looper’s and it already seems like it was so long ago that we were plodding down the river system.  There is so much that we experienced that we did not blog about, it was just so hard to get it all in.  

Thank you to those of you who cared enough to read our little blog and take this journey with us.  Our adventure will continue but we will not bore you with how warm and lovely it is here so for now we bid you all adieu!  

Wishing you all the merriest of Christmases and may 2015 bring us more peace in the world.  God bless us every one!!

GULFPORT & MADIERA BEACH PLAY DAY

MONDAY, DECEMBER 1st

Wow, can it really be December?  It just doesn't seem possible.  We woke and did chores, gave this boat a bath and got her all cleaned up.  Now it was time to play.  Steve and Dee came to pick us up and we went into the town of Gulfport to O'Maddy's for lunch.  Yummy food!  Weather was spectacular!  80's and sunny, works for us!

Took a stroll on the pier and through downtown. Nice quaint area, had a fun feel to it.  Seems weird to see Christmas decorations on palm trees though.  

Stopped at the grocery for a few supplies and headed back to their condo on Madiera Beach.  Nice place that had it all.  

Down to the pool we go where the boys took a swim and on to the beach for a stroll.  Had to hurry back upstairs to catch the sunset from their balcony.  What a nice relaxing day it was.  Haven't had a "down" day like this for a while.  Towards sunset we saw several Coast Guard helicopters come out and we weren't sure if they we executing a rescue or doing drills.  Was cool to watch it all unfold and to see the rotor wash was neat.

Turned out to be the latter we are pretty sure.  Then took in a nice sunset, had some dinner and it was to go "home" to Molly.  It was great to spend a day off the boat, seeing the area and doing something different for a change.

We are only a couple of days away from our final destination, can't believe it.

BOATS, BOATS AND MORE BOATS!

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 30

Woke to a beautiful day!  It is time to move this boat to a marina and get her cleaned up.  There is salt spray everywhere, I mean even in places we didn't think it was possible for it to be.  

Friends Steve and Dee drove over and John went to pick them up in Marley. 

Free Bird at anchor with Morning Star in Clearwater Harbor

Blue Moon anchored just to our North

Condos in every direction

We spent the afternoon making our way down the ICW to Gulfport Municpal Marina. We went through at least 6 bridges on the way here, I kind of lost track.  And there were LOTS of boats, all sizes, shapes and colors, literally.  Here are some pictures from the trip...

 It was great to see so many sailboats out and about.  We are kind of used to be in the minority compared to power boats.  We even had one bridge that was actually kind of cool.  Love their city emblem on the side.

Into the marina we go.  A quick stop at the fuel dock to pump out and John backed the boat into the slip.  Tomorrow Free Bird gets a bath, too tired to do it today yet.  Steve and Dee took a taxi back to their car and we spent the rest of the day trying in vain to watch the Packer game.  We got every station EXCEPT the one carrying the game.  Could have gone into town but just didn't have the energy.  One more night to recharge our batteries and we should be back to "normal".