We left our peaceful, nature-filled anchorage yesterday morning after I finished the miserable task of cleaning the prop! There's just no way around it - that boat chore is not fun. Thankfully DJ pitched in to help or we'd still be there. My progress is somewhat slow as I really can't hold my breath that long. Oh - and I nearly forgot - we also had to find our dinghy! When I woke up yesterday that dinghy was missing! I had let the first mate tie her up after a little trip to shore to play in the park. Now being the captain I should have doubled checked.... Anyway we woke up to no dinghy! I searched with the binoculars but didn't see it on shore. I ended up calling DJ who could see if from his boat and he zoomed off in his dinghy for the rescue, which involved wading in some yucky stuff and lots of tree branches :-( Thankfully the dinghy was no worse for the wear - except for all the little crabs that had found a way inside. No amount of persuasion could get Coleen to take those crabs out.
We got lucky this time and will be more diligent going forward!
The boat traffic was heavy going out the Manatee River, it being a holiday weekend and all. Lot's of huge boat wakes - but it was just great to be underway once again. Coleen helped me put up the sails although we didn't have much wind. Once we made it into the bay there was plenty of room for all the boats - so it settled down into a peaceful cruise. We sailed for a while although progress was slow - 1.5 knots :-) Still we were moving and it was quiet. However, we'd still be traveling this morning had we not turned the engine back on to motor sail. We traveled under the beautiful Skyway bridge. I spent some time messing around with my fishing gear only to lose yet another Spanish Mackerel rig. I figure that just about every time I fish it costs me six bucks - and no fish!
As we began the approach to St. Petersburg a rather large thunderstorm was hovering over the city, with lots of cloud to ground lightning. Just as we got near the entrance to the anchorage - it began to rain. I just took the motor out of gear, put on my foulie jacket and floated around for a while waiting for it to stop.
After getting the boats settled in, we took the dinghy to shore as I was starving and thirsty - badly in need of a cheeseburger and pina colada. One corner of this place has a tiny little sandy area good for landing a dinghy. We took a long walk down the pier and had dinner at a very touristy place, complete with a great view and live music. After dinner we walked a bit through St. Petersburg. I was surprised to see so many people out and about but the downtown area is busy at night. Lots of shops and restraurants. We're even within walking distance to a movie theater, grocery and best of all a WEST MARINE!
Today we're planning a grocery run this morning, and then I want to just go sailing! The bay is huge with plenty of depth and we're supposed to have a little wind today. I just feel the need to sail for a while with no destination. It's funny because when I sailed on a land locked lake I just wanted to sail to a destination.. and now I just want to sail for the fun of it.... go figure!