Thursday, February 28 we were so glad to leave the dock in Venice that I let our a big HOOT!  With the wind coming from the NW continuing all night the rollers kept coming in the inlet.  A poor choice on our part, lesson learned.  We rocked and rolled, then lurched forward and back hitting the pilings, not a good night for sleeping.
  It was a slow motor up to the Sarasota Bay and then Tampa Bay into the Manatee River to Bradenton.  There were interesting things to see along the way but also many Manatee Zones that require traveling at idle speed the the mammals protection.
  We are at the Twin Dolphins Marina next to the Route 41 bridge. (a BOAT US cooperative) This marina came highly recommended by a friend and also a  fellow cruiser.  The best "resort" we have been too on the trip.  The code protected slips have floating piers protected by a sea wall, cable TV, internet at the boat, printer for our use in the office.  Heated pool and hot tub, two gas grills, laundry, 8 individual bathrooms/showers and a bag of free ice each day.  We also were given a $20 certificate to Pier 22 Restaurant and a 1/2 price coupon to the museum.  Unfortunately the cold windy weather (47 this AM) has not been advantageous for pool use.  The printer came in handy because our BOAT US card expired on the 28 and we had to print out an email.
  Our long time friends Don Townsend and Ramona Lomboy have helped to make our stay enjoyable.  We went out with them for sandwiches and music one evening, they had us to watch the NASCAR race and a delicious dinner, Ramona introduced me to the slots, and best of all the use of a car for several days.
  This allowed us access to the Chris Craft Plant where we stopped and asked for a tour.  Two hours later we came away impressed, informed and  purchased a mat for the boat.  Boy does it make the boat look snappy!  Next stop was the marine surplus warehouse up the road.  All Dave bought was a new zinc.  Of course there was the obligatory grocery shopping.
  Another day we drove to Anna Maria Island.  The traffic was horrendous, the wind on the beach was blustery and the shelling unimpressive.  We had been on the island a number of years ago with a much more satisfying experience.  The new Desoto Park was very enlightening.   Today we rode bikes on the River Walk and across the Route 41 bridge to the marina across the river.
  Tomorrow is to be warmer and we will ride out bikes to a Pirates baseball game.  This is on the cheap because it is a farm team.  Hopefully we will have a chance to use the pool later in the afternoon.

This is called Picnic Key and it is Sunday afternoon.

Punta Gorda has many murals throughout the city and is was on the restroom.

Surf is up!

At the entrance to the beach at Venice Inlet.

Dolphin downtown.

And the turtles in town

Moonlight at Caya Costa

The last few days have been interesting.  After leaving Naples we headed North on the ICW and found a wonderful anchorage in a State Park on Caya Costa.  We came into the peaceful anchorage and both of us said,  "Doesn't this remind you of the Chesapeake Bay?"  This was to be a two night stay for relaxing and shelling until we found the house battery had died.  We did enjoy cocktails in the cockpit and later the almost full moon rising.  Later we read by lantern light.
The weather report called for strong wind and nasty thunder storms to come so we hunted up a new battery in a nice recovering marina in Pineland.  Then on to Punta Gorda and Laishley Marina that came recommended to us by folks we met in a Watkins 25.  In the day room at the marina we met another couple who also had a Watkins 25 and they of course knew each other.  They gave us tips on where to explore.
We did some shopping and saw the water front, historical section and Fisherman's Wharf, the  wind was very strong and bicycle riding was not easy.  The rain came in the afternoon but we were prepared for leaks but the boat rocked and rolled like crazy.  At noon we had good burgers at the Crab House by the marina but the evening was the best when I steamed the shrimp we bought from the boat docked next to us that returned at 5 AM that day.  $10 a pound, no heads.
This AM we proceeded down Charlotte Harbour; back to the ICW.   The wind was from the NW and not a problem so we came up to Venice.  This is Dave's sister's favorite spot.  Unfortunately the Crowes Nest Marina is at the Venice inlet and the wind direction was producing the worst conditions they have seen. Rock, roll, tug and pull so we are in the small day room.  Dave joined me on a brief walk on the beach but the shelling was poor and the Red Tide was making us cough and our noses run and the shells were mixed with the dead fish. However the wind generated great surf and school was out,  surfers  were there in droves.  Enough of that, we used the loaner bikes and rode in to town for a short walk by the shops.   More wind and temperatures are much cooler and it was overcast.
On to Bradenton tomorrow.

Naples has been interesting, music on 3rd Street on Thursday night, produce market with lots of extras on Saturday AM, beach during the day, easy bike riding around gorgeous homes and landscape if you are aware of the quiet Prius, the pier at sunset.  You do not need a fishing license to fish from the city pier.
Naples does everything well but could spend some money on their pilings and the facility in general.  We heard that in the wind last week one broke while a boat was tied to it.

Bad pilings

Not the best sunset but interesting

Just part of what 3rd Street south looks like at night

Alan Darcy plays to the crowd, he does Sting well too

Beach was full yesterday, spring break. What do children in Naples do in Spring Bread? Water temperature 69 degrees, chilly and very shallow.  Pier after dinner is very crowed for sunset viewing.  No Flash!

Tomorrow we are off to an anchorage off Cayo Costa Island at the State Park in Pelican Bay.The shelling is good there according to the guides but watch for alligators in the mangroves it says.  Laundry is done and the rest of the provisioning will happen this afternoon.
Dave is a bit upset about missing the Daytona 500, but not the Oscars.
70% chance of rain on Tuesday so we may look for a maria.

With Walt and Mary at No Name Pub waiting for our table.

Check out the walls in the Pub.  I like your bow Mary!

See how small the Key deer are.

This fellow came to the car window looking for a hand out.

 

 

 

 

 

Happy 4th Birthday Grandson Nathan!

 Since my last posting we have celebrated Valentine's Day.  Dave got me a Marathon shirt and a card.   It was my turn to not do anything for him.  At lunch and dinner the ladies got a rose.  That was the evening the Tartan friends went to dinner.  It was nice to see the Heilmans,  Ahrens, Adensams and Keiths.  Lots of stories relived and new ones shared.
 The weekend turned rainy, cold and very windy.  We spent one evening at the movies seeing Argo.   The little theater seats 108 in bistro style.
 Saturday we braved the mud with Walt and Mary at the Pig Pine Key Flea Market.  We stocked up on produce and a few goodies.  After that we were treated to the best pizza we have every had at the No Name Pub.  See pictures of the interesting interior.  Then we drove out to the end of the Key to see the Key deer.
 We missed celebrating Nathan's 4th birthday, but this year he had his Aunt Adrienne there with him.  Happy Birthday Big boy and Owen turned 5 months.
  Monday we prepared to leave Marathon,  Tuesday at 7 A.M. we headed to Naples.  The Gulf was lumpy most of the way but we did not get the rain they had in Marathon.  I had an episode of slight sea sickness.  We put 114 miles behind us as we arrived at the City Dock in Naples at 3 P.M..  Some of the amenities are not top notch but the dockage is minimal and the laundry is $1 for wash and $1 for dry, plus they have block ice.
 Last evening we met a couple cruising in a Watkins 25.  They are programers from the mountains of NC. They showed us their Engel AC/DC refrigerate/freezer.  Something to think about.  Theyy suggested we would like the Punta Gorda area and they might be back there if we stop there on our way back to the Caloosahatchee River.
 Today we rode our bikes all over the area and snooped in high end shops and Dave commented that the high end cars around make the area like a car show. The beach is nice and we bought a cheap umbrella to use at the beach tomorrow. 

The weather has been splendid!  Low 80's during the day.  I swim  laps when I can, we bike until our butts are too sore....and our tans are looking good.
We have had the privilege to be invited to join the nightly cocktail group on the dock. Most of the folks winter here, put their boats on the hard for the summer and head home to Canada, New Jersey, Michigan and yes, Little River, SC.  Everyone has captivating stories and have made us feel very welcome.  Last night Sharon took our picture and information to include in the group roster.
Dave and I have evaluated our equipment and decided the three most useful items we have are the bikes, the inverter and the IPad (the WiFi connections are not strong enough to use effectively). My Kindle Paper White has been a great advantage  for me during the sleepless times.
Remember I mentioned that ice became more expensive as we came further South.  Well,  in this marina the expense is the laundry ( $3.25 a washer load and $2.00 to dry)  However, we are saved by the fact that the complex has a free ice machine.  That would have added up over a 2 plus week stay.  Cable TV is included in the slip fee so Dave bought the lead and we have good reception.  Yes, the great Ravens' Game!
Today Dave is putting a longer hose on the lead from the water tank to the hot water heater.  the replacement drain plug for the dinghy finally arrived.  Dave thinks it vibrated out on our Gulf crossing. The motor is a bit iffy so we are not relying on it for everyday use.
At 1 PM today I will have a lesson in Mahjong.  It seems to be the new game for this age group taking the place of Bridge for the ladies.
Tomorrow we have been invited to a Cruiser's Luncheon.  The folks that bought our old seats from the Chris Craft have invited us to join them and are picking us up.  Larry is a DYI guy ao he and Dave should have lots to share.
Yes, we still plan to head up the Gulf Coast the end of our stay here.  This time we will wait for the right wind and weather conditions.