Bradenton, FL

Monday. April 11, 2016   to    Thursday, April 21, 2016 

We left Fort Myers at 9 AM heading to Bradenton.  The  wind was coming from the north, not in our favor, but great for sailboats heading south.  The trip was uneventful with varying speeds.  This was the night to anchor.  An area south of the Blackburn Bridge at Casey Key looked good and we approached carefully; finding 5 to 6 feet of water.

Relaxed, I finished my book and Dave updated the log book; then napped.  Dave called Don to give him our ETA and he knew where we were.  He told us the Tiki Bar on the other side of the water was very popular.  Good, an excuse for us to use our dinghy.  Headed over, it certainly is a popular place.  We ordered 2 margaritas, not your expected Happy Hour!  The drinks were $8 each; they were good.  Since we were there we decided to share a burger and fries at the Casey Key Fish House. Our check including the tip was less than the drinks.  Back on board, Dave made coffee and we watched a nice sunset.

When we are on the hook we conserve our power use as it all comes from batteries.  Dave had incorporated a third battery for this trip. The sleep sound was on, plugged into the inverter.  An hour later the inverter started beeping.  We turned it off, the lapping water of the changing tide, kept us awake for a good long time.  In the middle of the night Dave realized the two batteries we use for the ‘house’ had gone dead.

Tuesday

When Dave got up at 6:30 he found the ‘starting’ battery was weak so he started the engine.  At daylight, a large cruiser was approaching the bridge and Dave got the anchor up in time for us to follow them through the bridge.  We slowed for a rowing team that was out practicing.

With the early start we arrived at the fuel dock at the Twin Dolphin Marina at 10:45; topped the tanks.  We couldn’t ask for a more convenient slip.  We are at the base of the ramp leading to the pool, hot tub, good washers and driers at a fair price, good WIFI and all the other facilities.  On this visit the weather is perfect for pool time.  We are surrounded by catamarans.  It seems that this marina has larger slips that allow for their wide beam.  Our neighbors on a ‘Cat’ are here from California and staying for a year.  They have done the Panama Canal and parts of Mexico and South America.

Don came by and discussed our ideas on the bimini and sun screening we plan for him to fashion.  He in turn he has some work for Dave to do in his new shop, the barter system is great.

Wednesday

Dave washed all the salt off the boat.  It is so much nicer to look out the windows without the all the streaks.  Don and Ramona came by; they are loaning us a car through the weekend.

Our next venture was restocking food and meds.  It is always a challenge to store everything on the boat.  Dave and I discussed the enclosure at length.  After lunch, we drove to Don’s shop and he and Dave reviewed the wiring job he wanted Dave to do for him.  Dave also got to borrow a battery tester from Don’s friend who builds trucks for NASCAR.  On our return Dave tested , finding the oldest battery in the series was dead which in turn drained the other battery.  A new battery is in the future.

Pool time and then got some basil from our neighbor for our dinner.  They have a 'tree' of it on in the cockpit.

Thursday  “National Dolphin Day”

Dave spent part of the morning doing the planning and materials he would need for the wiring project.  We drove down to the shop and checked out some more details;  then on to Lowes, half an hour away.  Everything here is so far away.  We did find a nice Italian Restaurant for lunch.

Back to the shop and begin work. I worked on my knitting project.

More pool and hot tub time before dinner.

Friday

Dave went off to work; I stayed at the marina and did laundry.  In the afternoon, I walked the downtown; toured the Art studio, got stamps and just a nice walk.  The weather was very hot and muggy.

Dave got back around 4:30, the  hot tub was a welcome relaxer.  We treated ourselves to dinner at OBrick’s in old Main Street.  Going early was a good call.  We came back and Dave put the bikes together and we biked down River Walk and enjoyed the music at the outdoor amphitheater.  During intermission, we rode to the end of the River Walk and explored the neighborhood there.  Back at the boat where I finished another book. Girls of Atomic City by Denise Kiernam,  a story of the girls who worked at Oakridge , TN on the Atomic Bomb.  It is a very interesting, historical read.

Saturday

After breakfast, we walked to the Farmer’s Market.  They close off Old Main Street and a side street for a good part of the day.  We found the venders to mostly be artist and two produce stands.

The rest of the day was a work day, driving for materials and going to the shop.

Back at the marina the wind was from the east at 20 to 25 mph and rocking us badly, as well as all the other boats.  Unfortunately, we had eaten out on Friday.   I managed to do spaghetti.  We closed the blinds hoping we could watch a DVD and forget about the rocking but the volume was bad so we just sent it back.  Getting to sleep was difficult but the wind slacked off  a bit during the night.

Sunday

Sunny and low 80’s and much drier air; very welcome.  Dave did some repair on a the hydraulic hose that got damaged by the bike he stores down in the engine compartment.  He also put up two towel bars in the head.  What a domestic concept!

We left to pick up a rental car. We met Don and Ramona to go to the Sarasota Boat show at Marina Jacks.  Don was eyeing all the cushions and canvas work while Dave wanted to see what bigger boats had to offer.  The show was interesting because they mixed new and used boats in the fairway.  Later Dave watched part of the NASCAR race with Don at their house. 

Back aboard we were in for another rocky evening; not quite as bad as the previous night.

Monday

Back to work for Dave.  I started the blog and am just getting around to getting it up to date.  Later I rode my bike to the Arts Village.  Mondays' unfortunately' is not a day they are open.  I did get some photographs of the whimsical things in the yards.  Most of the artist live, work and sell from their small clapboard homes.  When Dave got back it was another hunt for stores and materials and groceries. 

The pool was enjoyable and after dinner we rode out bikes half way across the route 41 bridge to watch the sunset.  I find riding in a bike lane with three lanes of traffic going by a bit unnerving.

Tuesday

The weather has been so nice we have not had to run the AC except for late afternoon.

We stayed at the marina.  In the morning broker in this marina came down to give us a rough estimate on the value of our boat.   Dave is always dreaming!  After lunch the Shroms stopped by with friends to see the boat and loan us beach chairs and an umbrella. Their homeowner’s group was dining at the restaurant next door.  Don also dropped by to discuss more design concepts foor the bimini and shades.

At 9:15 PM we caught the spectacular site of the space station traveling from north to southwest.   That just happened to be our open view.

Wednesday

Another half day of work for Dave.  This time, it was to modify the fittings needed for the railings on our boat.  The rails are slightly larger than the rails used on newer boats.  He quit around noon and we headed to the Siesta Key beach.  We almost gave up hope of finding a parking spot.  Chairs and umbrella were our only preparation.  We had not packed food or drinks expecting to find something there.  Dave did not have a book.  The width of the beach is grand and the sand is white and like powder.  Dave got completely wet but I chickened out.  The water is clear like the Caribbean.

Back to the marina more of the same with a walk up the bridge this time.  My hip is getting stronger and Dave had difficulty keeping up with my pace.

*I apologize to this blog entry being more of a diary.  Due to this bartering, which we certainly appreciate, there has been little time to do much in the way of site seeing and culture.  I envy the ladies sunning by the pool every day and hope they don’t have to pay the price I have for my sun exposure.  This is not a city we would be comfortable living.  The traffic is horrible, yes worse than Severna Park.  I am anxious to have the canvas installed and move on to Caladesi State Park to go shelling.*