Cabbage Key Staging

Gary decided to stage our leaving Charlotte Harbor at Cabbage Key,  we had waited for a good weather window and were ready to go.  Across from Cabbage Key we anchored and dingyed over to have a fun afternoon.

beautiful houses on the way to the Key

Turtles and cranes at the Key

A good night sleep after a beautiful sunset

The private key has a restaurant and walking trails

One of the big ones!

Lucky we didn't see the nuisance alligator

We sampled the wares at the restaurant

From the water tower look out you could see the whole island

Miss Em from the Key

Friendsgiving at Charlotte Harbor

We got a few more pictures of a big manatee next to the boat .  Lots of fun on the last night at Charlotte Harbor with fishing and friends.

Here are the cruising couples at the Burnt Store Marina and decided to split a big Thanksgiving feast.  One couple still had ties on shore and offered their condo and transportation to the grocery store.  

All of us having fun on Miss Em before Friendsgiving

Next stop passage to the Keys!

Back with the Manatees

We really enjoyed our walking trails, seeing manatees when we returned to Charlotte Harbor.  That is after the first day back.  When we arrived at the boat, we couldn't believe how the birds had taken over!  Our green canvas was covered in white!  Not snow!  Gary spent the first day washing, and washing again.  Those Osprey's are really huge here and I think one used us for his bathroom.
Now weather has set in and we are waiting for a window to go on to Marathon.  It will be another long passage, but we want to winter there before going up the East Coast.

Our elusive manatee friend caught on camera

You can just see his nostril

Beautiful walking around the marina

Walking down the back canal

One of the boats by the houses

Great biking and walking trails

Walking down Marion Trail

Panama City visit

We had to return to Panama City briefly to attend a funeral of Gary's stepson, Michael Shane Teate.  Though it was a sad occasion we enjoyed visiting with all our grandchildren and children.

Jan and Brian

Gene's Oyster Bar The Best!

Amanda, Gary, and Laura

Some of the grandkids at Salty Hog

More oysters group at Salty Hog

Manatee Monday

Entering Burnt Store Marina

When we arrived at Burnt Store Marina in Charlotte Harbor Monday, I thought I saw the back of a elephant in the water!  My first Manatee sighting.  Since then I have had glimpses of this elusive animal numerous times.  I doubt that I will get a good picture as not much of them is visible.  Usually you see the little nose hole blowing for air. (sounds just like a dolphin breathing).  I also have a dock buddy to keep most of the birds away.  A little crane I call "badBird".  We decided to stay here until Dec. to further check out systems (those readers interested in Tarpon Springs repairs and upgrades can check out boat projects section) and in general get rested upand have some fun.
We left Pitman Yacht Services on Oct. 27 and stayed at the City Marina for a few

Favorite hangout "Miss Vickies" while waiting for boat repairs

Little Halloween buddy

Gary's walking mermaid buddy

At City Marina with friendly folks

A real beaut at the Tastee Freeze

Rudder mania at the boatyard

Jan looking over the shaft in the rudder mold

 days to get all our systems up and give the boat a good scrubbing.  Believe me I will fight for detailing if we ever have a boat claim again.
 After looking over our options heading south we decided for a longer overnight passage to get to a inlet with deep water.  So we got WRI to give us a weather route and off we went.  It was another beautiful trip for Gary and I was seasick again (it really upset me as it wasn't rough just rolly).  We spent 3 days on the hook in Charlotte Harbor before making the decision to go into Burnt Store Marina for a month.  Even if we had our watermaker up we couldn't have used it as the water is not clear here due to the fresh water inflow.

Dingy Day trip to Punta Gorda
Irish Pub

At Burnt Store Marina until Dec.

Art and Crafts at the Sponge Docks

Still waiting for boat repairs and enjoyed the weekend downtown at the sponge docks.

 Enjoying one of the most beautiful painted sponge boats.

New sponge harvest

Little babies in a train at the Art show

 Walking around looking at the crafts.  Gary and I are in great shape by now.
Work has begun on the boat so we will be leaving here for Terra Verde hopefully in October.

Time in Tarpon Springs

We are settled in now for rudder repairs at Pitman Yacht Services.  We rented a very nice condo in the historical district and a little puddle jumper to get around.  Every day is mostly been filled with insurance paperwork and getting estimates.  We have talked about some little projects we can do while we are here but haven't had any time yet.  Much is going on with our friends and family while it seems we are stuck in a slow time warp, with nothing being accomplished.  Definitly, Gary and I are action people,  I have taken to long hikes to rest my brain.  Tarpon Springs is a beautiful, interesting place.  Tonight we have a sports bar planned to see the Alabama Game, (and maybe FSU).

Still smiling
(boat in background)

Miss Em's Home for extended time

shopping in the Sponge Exchange
these are made from nut ivory

pool at the condo

outside our door

across the street

our puddle jumper

Gary's favorite stop

fabulous meat store!

Stafford House

Great walks downtown