Sun and clouds and the temperatures warmed to mid 60s. Brrrrrr in the AM. Light NE wind
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Well this was a BIG day. We made it to Longboat Key Marina. This will be our winter home for the next three months!!. It feels really wonderful to tie up and not have to think about moving unless we want to go for a ride. That is a strange but great feeling. Like being at our home marina in Maine.
The ride today was about 55 miles. It was cool over night so I didn't feel like starting out at the crack of dawn. We needed to fuel and have breakfast and didn't get underway until shortly after 0900. The day was overcast as cool with temperatures around 50 degrees. Fortunately, the light breeze was behind us so it was comfortable on the flybridge. And YES to anyone that is wondering, I made my goal of being in shorts the entire time since living NH on May 21 - follow the sun and the warmth is the mantra of this trip.
So here is some photos to capture the big day. Here we are just starting down the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway that we will be following all except when we cross Tampa Bay.
There are mega homes everywhere. There are a lot of folks that have a lot of money down here. We speculated that most of these mansions are just vacation homes.
And here is a boat that was driven into the tops of the tress in the hurricane!
And this section is down along Indian Rocks Beach area. It is called the Narrows - catchy name. eh?
And there are a pant load of bridges. Fortunately, I can put my radio antennas down and we were able to pass under each one without needing an opening.
We are now heading out toward Tampa Bay. It is shallow here as you can see if you look to the left and notice land poking up above the water. I have had enough of too shallow water for a good long time thank you very much.
But as I was looking ahead I saw some strange shapes. OK my "I Spy" friends, what is it up a head in the water?
Can you tell now?
How about now?
And I have no idea why they are out on the mudflats.
And here is the Tampa Skyway Bridge. They are real proud of their bridge, and you pay dearly to enjoy a ride in a car over it. Fortunately, photos are no charge.
Crossing the 8 mile Tampa Bay
Traveling along the inter coastal again
A tourist boat from the area. And it is a real paddle-wheeler!! Sarasota is in the distance - we are getting close.
And here is a not very clear photo, but this is the John and Mabel Ringling (think circus) Mansion that we visited last year on our car trip to the area.
And Sarasota - but not today as our marina is just a bit further and to the right
And we have turned west and are heading into the marina.
Which is very large. I will have to find out how many slips.
And here we are. Right in the front row!!
The facility is first rate. Faye is in the courtyard between the office and the Italian restaurant - hope it is good! The pool and hot tub is just the other side of the restaurant and we are the closest boat to it!!
We took a stroll around the marina. We walked two miles!! Do you think this might go faster than my boat? - or just about any boat for that matter?
A few more shots of the marina.
This is the clubhouse on the other end of the marina.
Looking out to the channel at mangrove islets that line the outside of the marina
And look at the pelicans in the mangrove trees!!
And your friendly Ibis flock has stopped by for a stroll.
And here is Perelandra in our front row slip. The office/spa/restaurant buildings are the backdrop. Not bad, eh? We hope it is as much fun and relaxation as we expect - and we are off to a great start.
As you can see the lights are on here in Longboat Key so it is time to say ..............
Good Night and May God Bless
You certainly picked a great place to winter and having a slip right near the pool/bar/spa is terrific. We have seen at least 3 horses with riders on every passage where you did. Usually it is not quite low tide like you saw.
ReplyDeleteHave a great time in LK!
Duane and Diane
m/v Diva Di
Hi Guys
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing about the horses, there must be a stable or something there if this is a common site - at least for this location.
We do think we will have a great winter here!!