February 26th to the 28th IE docks at Burnt Store Marina Punta Gorda on Charlotte Harbor

Charlotte Harbor is a very wide section of the ICW and a great spot for a sailboat. IE arrives into Burnt Store Marina after fueling at Palm Harbor. When entering Palm Harbor the Skipper notes some smoke from the starboard engine - not again the skipperette said! However the mechanic found a broken hose clamp and after a quick replacement we were on our way. Arrived into Burnt Store Marina which is a 600 acre plus Resort with all kinds of amenities. If you can’t find your exercise of choice here then you have a problem! There are tennis courts, pickle ball, golf, swimming pools, water taxi, yacht club, kayak rental, sailing school , fitness center and a bike path around the grounds. A very active retirement community who are certainly not ready to wind down. The manatees are cruising around and are very difficult to catch due to their camouflage and the brown color of the water. Nana tried really hard to get a picture of them but without success so she resorted to one taken from a picture - it gives the reader some idea of these very special sea monsters. 

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February 25th Sunday IE heading to Royal Palm Marina on Lemon Bay at Englewood

A wonderful bike ride this morning for 9am mass at Epiphany Cathedral Parish. The choir was a group of young singers that did a fantastic job. After scrubbing down the boat - where is Tigran when you need him- IE leaves for Englewood. It is a beautiful cruise back up the GIWW from mile 58 to 48.5 along the Tamiami Bike trail. All the mangrove swamps, narrow inlets leading to both mainland and shoreside developments, bring a certain peace and nature of its own. There are no distinct markers leading into the Marina but with diligent attention IE finds her spot. This marina is definitely stuck in a different timeframe. Lots of damage from the recent hurricane - and possibly previous ones- that is left in disrepair. Many of the boats look like they are never about to leave the dock however a very friendly reception from the folks that run the Tiki Bar Snooks Bar & Grille which had great live music. Perhaps as the embassy book states “ old Florida charm” with a great panoramic view and excellent waterfront bar. Not a bad place to get stuck. 

The second picture is a couple who rowed their boat out to the bay and then had a fantastic sail for the afternoon. 

What the facility may lack during the day it makes up for at night. While sitting out ,in what Nana calls the cockpit of IE , during the darkness of the night one can hear the surf of the ocean across the ICW, the special sounds of the dolphin and fish, the cackling of the birds on the sandbar so close to the marina and of course there is always the night sky. An experience not to be missed.

February 23rd IE returns to Crows Nest Venice

On our way again and we find ourselves at the Crows Nest which is right beside the Casey Pass. It is likely one of the busiest water stops we have been with pontoon boats,kayaks, SUB, and small watercraft all simply beached over at the Casey Key Park beach and Turners beach. A great people watching spot. Another fantastic sunset on the beach followed by a terrific dinner at the restaurant. Before hitting the sack we discovered the head had stopped working!!!! I guess a project for tomorrow.

February 24th Saturday turned out to be the perfect layday as we wait for the mechanic to fix the head. After four hours the problem was solved and we are good to operate again. Now that is a very good thing as a boat without a head is indeed an issue for Nana. We rode our bikes downtown for dinner and had the most fantastic meal at a small bistro called Europe Wine Bistro. There was an hour and a half wait for most of the Italian restaurants and we felt the Irish pub was a little noisy - good olde Irish banter.

February 22nd Thursday IE returns to Sarasota

Nana and Nandad say goodbye to their good friends Pete and Muffin and head for Sarasota. Just as IE is coming into the Marina Jack the alarm on the starboard engine goes off and the temperature guage is reading high. Coming into out slip on single engine is a little tricky but the Skipper as always handles it well. Arranged for the mechanic to come -yet again!!! This time he finds the fan belt has worn out and places a new one on. After lots of laundry, cleaning and catch up we take a well deserved stroll down towards the dolphin waterfall and have a cocktail listening to the live band at the marina. 

While walking back and forth to the laundry room Nana noticed the Trumpy motor Yacht Freedom at the fuel dock. She was built by Mathis Yacht Building at the Camden,NJ shipyard in 1926 and fully refitted in 2009. She is 103.8 ft and for a small price you can become a Fractional Owner. She is truly beautiful. Maybe some day.

The first picture give the history of Bird Key which was purchased in 1922 by the circus magnate John Ringling who constructed the bridge linking it to Sarasota. The Ringling School of Art and Design is one of the top art schools in the US. Who would have thought after 146 years there would be no more circus.

February 21st AMI

Wednesday morning found us taking the golf cart to the Rod and Reel Pier for breakfast. A very popular spot right on the water where lots of mullet ( fish) gather under the Pier where there are lots of folks waiting to catch the fish. Nana took a long walk on the beautiful beach where she joined Pete and Muffin for a cool dip. A relaxing afternoon was spent onboard listening to and watching the many birds flying back and forth. IE is docked directly beside the mango grove where the most peculiar noises can be heard. It was truly amazing to be that close to the snowy egrets, pelicans, comarant and heron all cackling and fighting for space. A wonderful  to The Waterfront Restaurant where is was well worth the one hour wait to be seated outside. Riding a golf cart in the dark was a lot of fun.

Thursday morning Pete and Muffin will return to Franklin. We had a fantastic breakfast at Ginny & Jane E’s which is a must visit should the reader ever visit. It is the most colorful, arty spot with incredible delicious fresh food. Yummy. While Pete and Muffin arrange for a ride to the airport IE returns to Sarasota. A wonderful cruising week with the best couple ever. Thank you for joining us.

 

February 20th IE heads to Anna Marie Island GIWW 90

Nana is very excited to have secured a slip at Galeti Yacht Basin for two nights. She has read about AMI and is excited to finally visit. The Island is noted for the wonderful white cool sandy beaches, great shelling, and the lack of retail chain and high-rise condos. It has also been cited as a model of sustainable tourism by the United Nations World Tourism Organization. We were lucky to get a golf cart for rental which we would have been lost without- apparently it is a good idea to book ahead! Our initial ride took us all the way down the island six mile length to the Bradenton beach area. Nana was surprised how built up and close together the homes were and lots of traffic. The Island is connected to the mainland and to Longboat Key. After a very long and disorganized lunch we braved the elements changed discretely on the beach and proceeded to take a cool plunge. We then headed to watch the sunset and discovered the Sandbar restaurant when we had the most delicious meal. Yes indeed life is good.

February 19th IE heads up the Manatee River

Beautiful windy 80 degree day heading across Tampa Bay to Anna Marie Sound and into the Manatee River. IE has a reservation at the Twin Dolphin Marina in Bradenton. A wonderful family of dolphin frolic along IE and provides lots of entertainment. After we dock the boat we head straight over to Pier 22 where we had the most delicious sangria and lunch. Relaxing late afternoon swin in the pool which was very refreshing. Pete made us delicious sandwiches after which we had a very competitive games of scrabble. The river walk is really very nicely done with lots of attention to detail providing activity for all ages.

February 16th IE leaving for St Petersburg GIWW 117

A wonderful cruise to St Pete’s traveling on a beautiful sunny day along the GIWW passing Longboat Key, Anna Marie Island, and under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge that spans a total of 15 mile long highway across lower Tampa Bay. Nana thought she had made a reservation at St Petersburg Municipal Marina which is right downtown however due to some visual error she ended up booking at Harborage Marina at Bayboro which had the longest walk to the dock office and at least a two mile walk downtown but no worries boating is always a moving target! And Uber is always available. Wonderful dinner at 400 Beach which is a very busy trendy part of St Pete’s 

Sunday morning we took an Uber to St Joseph’s church where we participated in the most interesting mass I have ever attended. The congregation were so welcoming with lots of singing and Amens. Wonderful brunch again at 400 Beach after which Muffin and I went to the Salvador Dali museum - a most interesting if not somewhat disturbing exhibition. Next time we visit we will stay at The Vinoy and explore more of downtown. 

Nana and Nandad return to IE Feb 13

IE remained on the mooring for almost three weeks and all was well. Nandad returned on his own to take the boat into a slip to have some engine repairs- once again. Nana arrived Feb 14th Valentines Day after celebrating a very special birthday with family & friends back in Franklin. Feb 15th Pete and Muffin arrive to spend a week cruising with us. Feb 16th Peter and Jane drove from Ponciana to join us for cocktails and lunch. It was great to see them.