Monday, Dec 15:
We left Mar Marina around 0800 and headed to the commercial dock for fuel. We took on about 485 gallons of diesel fuel. Then we headed toward Dunedin. We arrived around 1200 and dropped the anchor. It was windy and still a little chilly. I worked all day and Wes did boat projects. It was a nice quiet day and night on anchor. We weren't using much power, so no need to run the generator. We relaxed after dinner then off to bed.
Tuesday, Dec 16:
We stayed at anchor for another day. Wes got up around 0400 and started the generator. We did our respective bible studies. Then I worked all day. It was nice enough, I set up outside and enjoyed the sunshine while I worked. Wes did some things around the boat, primarily computer work. Mock Turtle showed up in the afternoon and anchored near us. Then around 1530, Blue Lobstah arrived and rafted to us. We hosted anchortales with the three boats. It got chilly as the sun went down and the wind picked up, so we went inside. Mock Turtle went back to his boat. We had taken our fish for dinner and had plenty for the four of us, so I cooked up our Cod, Grouper and Tuna steak and made up a big pan of fried potatoes and onions. Jessica and Rod brought a salad. We enjoyed dinner, then we broke out the cards and played a game of Play Nine. Jessica won and I was the biggest loser (Amy). We continued to visit and consume beverages well after looper midnight. We got caught on the darn fun wheel again. It was a great night. We parted ways and went to bed around 2300.
Wednesday, Dec 17:
We weren't moving real fast the next morning, but we got up and I started working. Blue Lobstah gave Wes a nice toasted bagel for breakfast (I wasn't hungry yet). Then we untied them and them headed out around 0900. We pulled the anchor and headed toward Gulf Port area. It was a beautiful day, so I setup on the flybridge and enjoyed the sunshine and the nice view as we cruised the ICW while I worked. We got to our anchorage around 1300 and dropped the hook. I finished working, then we got in the dinghy and headed to shore to explore some. Betty Mae was anchored nearby and they dinghied in as well. We headed to Maximo Marina where they have a dinghy dock for their Tiki Docks Skyway Bar and Grill. We enjoyed dinner at the Tiki bar (they have a Tiki Tri Special where you get a drink, appetizer and entree for a very reasonable price). After dinner, we walked over to the Publix to pick up a couple items. Then back to our dinghies to head back to our boats. There were some pretty Christmas lights to see on our way back, but the pictures do not turn out well. 😢 We got back to the boat, watched some TV then off to bed at a normal time.
Thursday, Dec 18:
Wes was up early and started doing computer work right away. I was slower to wake up (not a surprise). I got up and went up to flybridge to work as it was a little chilly, but I was comfortable on the flybridge with the canvas closed. I love working up there when I can just look up and see water, boats, sunshine, etc. Wes dropped the dinghy and went in to visit Sweet Dreams as they were in Gulfport as well. He got back around 1000 and we pulled the anchor to head towards St. Petersburg area. Just a short 20 miles. We arrived around 1300 and dropped the anchor. I still had work to do, but Wes dropped the dinghy and went and visited. We I was done with work, we got in the dinghy and went to the day docks where Dream Weaver was tied up and joined them and Inspiration for docktales. Then back to our boat for dinner then bed.
Friday, Dec 19:
We got up, pulled and anchor and went over to the city day dock. We got tied up and secured around 0800. I had a light day so I did some emails first thing in the morning, then took the rest of the day off so we could explore St Petersburg. We took an Uber to the Sunken Gardens. We walked through the gardens and enjoyed the beautiful trees, flowers and animals. I got a little carried away with the camera. 😊 Then we slowly walked our way back toward the day dock. We stopped and got some water, then stopped at a park to sit for a few minutes. We didn't realize how many homeless there were in there. A gentlemen stopped and talked to us for a bit. Then we kept walking and saw lots of shops. We stopped at The Yard Milkshake Bar and enjoyed a cold, sweet treat. Then we walked back to the boat. We sat there and relaxed a bit. Then as it was getting close to sunset, we untied and anchored out in the bay there. Then we lowered the dinghy and went back in to the day dock and enjoyed docktales with Dream Weaver and Inspiration. They went to a Christmas concert and we walked over to Spa Beach Park where they were having The Taste of the North Festival. They had live music (but it wasn't our kind of music) and lots of food trucks. Wes got a Philly Cheesesteak and cheese curds. I order lobster mac and cheese. They only had craft beer at the festival, so we walked over to a nearby bar and got a beer each. Then we sat at a picnic table and listened to the live music they had there. Once we finished our beers, we got in the dinghy and went back to the boat. We relaxed a bit and watched some TV then off to bed.
Saturday, Dec 20:
We got up and took our time. We had breakfast, then pulled the anchor around 1000 and headed toward Bradenton. I sat on my chair on the bow to soak up the sun and beautiful weather. We arrived at Bradenton Beach around 1300. We dropped the anchor, then I changed into my swimsuit. I wanted to float in the water and just relax. Wes lowered the dinghy to go explore to see he could find a place for us to watch the Bear/Packer game. While he was exploring, he had engine issues with the dinghy motor. It turns out we got some water in the gas somehow (either condensation or water in the gas from where we bought it). He called his friend Pat that knows those engines well to assist in diagnosing the problem, and Pat was spot on. Wes rowed to shore and borrowed a screwdriver from someone fishing onshore (not a local but he was visiting family). Wes drained the water out (it took 3 times) then made it back to Toscana. He grabbed the gas can and a screwdriver, then went back to the gentlemen that let him borrow the screwdriver and returned it to him. When he got back, we decided that the football game was way to late for us to go into to town to watch, so we just secured the dinghy, had some dinner and watched some TV until it was game time. Then we listed to the game. At halftime, we went to bed an listened from there as we fell asleep.
Sunday, Dec 21:
We got up and had some breakfast then slowly got things ready for us to go to Sarasota to our friend's house that has their own dock. We pulled the anchor around 1000 and headed south down the ICW. In typical Florida fashion, there were several boats out and of course we got waked, but we managed just fine. We arrived at Mike and Des's place around 1230 or so. The tide was still rising, so it was a bit shallow getting in. We got stuck a couple times, but Wes was able to ease her over. We couldn't get any closer, so about 10-12 feet of the aft was sticking out from the dock, but we got her secured and went up to their house to visit. Des had some errands to do, so Mike, Wes and I sat on their balcony and visited. Des returned and joined us. We enjoyed a beautiful sunset, then Mike and Des made a fabulous steak dinner for us. We continued to visit until after 2200, when we all decided it was time for bed.
