3-15-2014: Anchored out in the beautiful, clear blue water by Manjack Cay, Abaco, Bahamas

Friday, February 11, 2011

Friday, February 11, 2011

Sunshine Skyway Bridge
in Tampa Bay

This houseboat had a bad day!












Fountain in front of Marina Jack's

View from Marina Jack's











All the time we were in the St. Petersburg area we were next to a General Aviation Airport.  The CO watched aircraft taking off and landing and identified all the early aircraft he had flown.  He became very nostalgic and at one point in time he suggested we sell the boat and buy an airplane.  That's what happens when you sit in one place for so long. 

One good thing about St. Petersburg we found were very good restaurants.  Some of our favorites were:  Courigan's in downtown area, Fish Tales on Salt Creek, and The Hanger at the GA airport.

We are finally back on the waterways 38 days after our incident; YEA!  Our repairs were finished by 16:00 yesterday.  Since it was raining and too late to go anywhere, we just went 1.5 miles to the St. Petersburg Municipal Marina for the night.  Our plan was to get up this morning and have an early start.  Well, it was windy, overcast, and 55 degrees so we got a later start, 10:00, after getting fuel.  We decided we were leaving no matter what.  We crossed 23 miles of Tampa Bay.  It was pretty windy with 2 to 4 foot waves  until we reached the Sunshine Skyway Bridge (which had no sunshine) when the wind picked up and we found ourselves in 4 to 6 foot waves.  It shook us up pretty good but we were determined to go on.  We were planning on anchoring out at Mile Marker 73.4 in Sarasota Bay.  We found the anchorage in a cruising guide book.  The anchorage was closed and the city replaced it with mooring balls for a small fee but they were all  taken.  We ended up staying at Marina Jack's in Sarasota for the night.  It was very nice.

CO's comments:  After a long day with rough seas at times, it was nice to sit on Bobbie's back porch with my favorite beverage and enjoy, and enjoy.  It's wonderful to be back on the waterways even if they are shallow at times. 

N27 19.942
W82 32.737

US Coast Guard protecting our shores
Harborage Marina at night










St. Petersburg Municipal

Downtown St. Petersburg
from the water

Monday, February 7, 2011

Monday, February 7, 2011

GREEN BAY PACKERS
SUPERBOWL 45 CHAMPIONS!

We are now back at the Hilton waiting for the final boat repairs to get done.  Not much to report.  Just getting our charts ready for the next leg of our journey.  Up until today, it has been in the low to mid 70's.  This morning it was overcast and it rained pretty hard this afternoon with very strong winds.


Kim Jo III at Embree Marine on Salt Creek