Friday, January 29, 2016

DUNEDIN TO ST. PETES

Jan 23-The weather is improving but the wind is up and it is very cool. The tide was an extremely low tide last night and our coolant pump picked up mud and stopped working, leaving the boat quite cool. Dave had to take the shop vac and suck out all the mud and flush the lines then we had heat again. Dave has been helping Charlie from "Sonata" change out a couple of his old batteries that are done. It is very cold so we are only out when it's absolutely necessary (like walking Koby). We are however going to Frenchy's for dinner tonight and I'm going to wear my winter coat, it's that cold.

Jan 24- The sun is shining and it is gradually warming up.This is our last day in Dunedin so we have decided to bike down to Dunedin today to show Charlie and Bonnie around. We had lunch at on of the local restaurants and then sat for awhile on a park bench watching the tourists milling around. We took our time riding back along the trail enjoying our last ride along this trail. We decided to treat ourselves to our last "grouper" dinner at Frenchy's tonight and are turning in early as we are leaving tomorrow morning.

Jan 25- We were all up early getting ready to leave today. Dave has gone up and has asked the marina to put our dingy back into the water for us. We can't leave too early as we have to wait for the tide to come up so we don't get stuck leaving our slip. We have said our goodbyes to Terry and Lola "Sunny Days" and Eddie and Linda from "Spiritus". We have put the bike back on but have left them in the back salon as we will probably use them when we get to St. Petes. We left at 11:00 am with the sun shining and calm winds just a wonderful day. It is so great the travel along the intercoastal through the Indian Shores, Redington Beach area as we used to stay here 30 years ago. We arrived at St. Petes Marina at 2:00 pm and were greeted by Sid and Evelyn from "Something Special" and Sax and Sherry from "Red Eagle". We got settled and then we all sat talking until dark. It is great to be moving again.


Goodbye "Marker 1 Marina"
Traveling through Clearwater
One of the marinas at Clearwater
Second marina at Clearwater
Definitely in the poor area of Clearwater
Waiting for lift bridge 
Heading into Ulmerton area
Ulmerton bridge
Dave and I stayed here about 25 years ago
Ulmerton area
A waterside restaurant Dave and I went to 30 years ago
Heading through Reddington area
Heading through Maderia area
Air boat sitting along side intercoastal waterway
Maderia Beach area
A sunken boat in a anchorage
A true house boat
A hotel in progress
Johns Pass Bridge

Johns Pass area
Welch Causeway Bridge

Corey Causeway Bridge
Heading to Boca Ciega Bay
Sunshine Skyway Bridge off to the right
Maximo Point
Crossing Tampa Bay
Coast Guard boat heading for St Petes
St Petes in the distance
Their astro dome looks like its sinking
Heading towards St Petes Municipal Marina
We were on the north side of the marina
St Petes at night
Manana at rest