Turf to Surf

  Merry Christmas everyone… We are now in Palmetto, just across manatee river from Bradenton. The marina Riviera Dunes is beautiful, clean with wonderful friendly and helpful staff. Several of our neighbors are live aboards….they all came out to help us tie up and welcome us…..🥰 We saw 2 manatees surface in front of our boat here in the marina…..so cool. Going through a cold snap but the warm Florida weather should return before the end of the week. We had the pleasure of joining Will and Joy on their boat, along with Dave and Lainee for a wine and cheese Christmas Eve. My brother Norm and his wife Jeannine arrive tomorrow for a few days visit….can’t wait. ~~~~~~ We are here for a month….flying home January 4th-18th. Can’t wait to hug our kids and grandson….miss them on this too quiet Christmas 🎄 

 Love all the birds, Heron of some kind, I need an app.  Our track, south on the ICW.  Slow cruising on the ICW, beautiful waterfront homes and restaurants. Municipal marina, great location…..close to downtown and walking trails. The locals describe it as Key West vibe but more affordable…..lot’s of great shops, restaurants and small hotels. Richard’s sister Sue and husband Rick arrive from Orlando for a few days stay. Always nice to see these two.  Walks on the beach, always a favourite pastime. This is St Pete’s beach…..a quick car ride away.  Saturday night was the boat parade…. Then dinner out at Pia’s, a lovely Italian restaurant.  Fun times onboard Red Rover. Explored a few walking trails nearby.  This bicycle parade staging area was in the marina parking lot…it was fun to see them all decorated for the holidays. ~~~~~~ We stayed here 9 days and also had a wonderful visit from Pete and Julie Slight, once members at St Andrews East Golf Club now wintering just north of here. We ha

  Spent 2 nights at the Clearwater Beach Marina.  Nice weather, daily walks on the beach.  On Saturday the 10th we crossed the ICW to the Clearwater Harbour marina for a 3 night stay.  View from our boat.  We were perfectly positioned to view to boat 🛥  Xmas parade.  Phyllis and Tim from Endeavor joined us for the festivities.  On Sunday we took the Jolly Trolley to Tarpon Springs. It’s a Greek community that founded the cultivation of sea sponges. A visit around town, a little shopping, seafood lunch and take home Greek pastries round up a lovely day out. 

  18 and 1/2 hours, straight shot from Carabelle to Clearwater.  We left our slip around 3:30 in the afternoon.  Met up with Dave and Towns on Voyager and fellow Canadians Sara and Colin on Riverbend;  we were all on the same agenda so decided to team up for the crossing. We had the sunset on our Starboard side… And the moon rising on our Port….all with no land to be seen on the horizon. Beautiful!!!  Weather conditions were just about as perfect as forecasted.  With the electronics turned down to night vision you could seen pretty well with the full moon. We had radar and AIS watching for other boats….looks like only loopers out here.  The sunrise pictures taken by the captain, first mate was below napping. I was able to sleep, the captain not so much.  Land Ahoy! Pulling into Clearwater Beach Marina.  After a celebratory Caesar, lunch and a nap we went for a walk on the beach. We are in the heart of all the action. We no longer have the beach all to ourselves. We are here for 2 night