(Temporary Backup) March 4th and 5th Cruising to Bradenton Yacht Club & St Pete’s

Monday March 2nd . After the Nevins returned to Newton MA Nana and Nandad had some quite time. While still having the rented minivan we decided it was a good time to explore the options for storing New Horizon over the summer months. Now that is the thing about boating one never truly knows what way the day might go. As it happens Nana and Nandad drove to our favorite spot on Gasperilla for lunch and then went to Safe Cove Marina in Port Charlotte which would provide sheltered coverage during the hottest seasons. Ireland’s Eye did well here in 2018-  so we will see.

Tuesday March 3rd was a busy morning for Nandad getting his bicycle organized while Nana played golf, afternoon by the pool ( without grandchildren- not quite the same), evening was cigar night for Nandad so Nana went to a wonderful yoga class - oh what a life. 🧘‍♀️

Wednesday March 4th Nana and Nandad decided NH should leave the dock and head out for Bradenton Yacht Club. We anchored ( first time on NH )  at Jewfish Island and had a wonderful lunch. On our cruise to Bradenton Nana took a picture of sea tow towing sea tow seemed rather ironic. 

A very serious looking Nana outside BYC! 

Thursday March 5th -  while taking our morning walk we discovered the wonderful Emerson Point Preserve right at the tip of Snead Island. A special place which has witnessed extensive human use for over 4500 years.The Portavant Temple Mound fascinated Nandad . The preserve contains a variety of native ecosystems of which we were privileged to watch - vulture turkey, herons, egrets, tortoise, and osprey just to name a few. The preserve overlooks the Manatee River and the 1200 year old Indian mound is the largest in the Tampa Bay Area. How lucky are we to be able to explore such history.

Mother Nature at her best.
Quite the windy choppy ride across Tampa Bay. In the horizon we noticed what looked like very large birds only to find, as we approached a little closer , lots of Kitesurfing activity. It looked like lots of fun.

NH arrived at St Pete’s just in time for a wonderful lunch onboard while watching the beautiful skyline of the city. The perfect afternoon to sit outside relax and enjoy boating at its best. A stroll downtown to purchase some postcards at the Museum of Fine Arts where we returned that evening for a wonderful performance with piano,flute and voice. What a treat. Dinner top deck onboard was excellent .