Dunedin

Mike & Gay Kelly from Irish Attitude surprised us shortly after we arrived in Dunedin.

We first met them in 2013 on the Hudson River and travelled through Canada together. 

 

 

 

 



We had a reunion with our 2013 fellow Looper graduates Leila & Rick from Sun Gypsy and Ron & Jan from Adagio.

 

 

 

 

 

Mark & Vicky from Blue Willow and Connie & Jim from Patriot joined us for a 10 mile bike ride to Tarpon Springs!

 

 

 

An osprey keeps a close watch on us as we pedal along the Pinellas Bike Trail. 

 

 

 

 

 

Happy to be off our bikes, we pose by a vintage sponge boat before rewarding ourselves with a wonderful Greek meal.

 

 

 

 Docktails at Marker 1 Marina on a "cold" evening with a group of current Loopers.

 

 

 

 

 

We always enjoy walking or biking on the Pinellas Trail. 

 

 

 

 

A clever bike rack along the Pinellas Bike Trail in charming Dunedin.

 

 

 

 

 In front of the old Dunedin railway station, a mother and daughter hurry to catch the train.

 

 

 

 

 

  

 Creative artistry can be found everywhere in Dunedin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

This fun, fantastic private patio and bar along The Trail is in someone's backyard.

The owner said he's actually had people "make themselves at home", thinking that it is a pub.

 

 

 

 

Popeye eats spinach to build up his strength . . . . . . .

 

 

 

 

. . . . . . . .  but my First Mate keeps hers up with something colder!

 

 

 

 

Our friend Ruth, who lives in Tarpon Springs, was a Wet Hen sailing instructor with Linda in Hawaii. 

 

 

 

 

 A group of current Loopers asked us to join them for dinner at the Ozona Blue Grilling Company.

Five Star meal and Five Star company!

 

 

Taking advantage of the awesome walking trails so we can . . . . . . .

 

 

. . . . . . . indulge in more ice cream!!

 

Linda, Eddy, Jim, Connie, Mark, & Vicky gather on Patriot for the championship Catch Phrase play-off!

 

 

 

We rented a car and drove to Mississippi to make special memories with our beloved little "Sis".

The Dairy Queen Blizzard we delivered to her at the Hospice Care Center brought a huge smile!!

 

 

 

Marti always lights up when Eddy plays her guitar.  Such sweet memories singing together at her house!

We have had the honor of knowing and loving Marti since she was 6 years old! 

She continues to embrace life with courage, kindness, and faith. 

 

 

 

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you from the land of the manatees!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Carabelle and the Gulf Crossing

We had delightful weather and conditions for our 8 hour cruise from Port St Joe to Carrabelle.

 

 

 

 

The scenery reminded us so much of cruising on the upper Tenn-Tom Waterway.

 

 

 

 

 

After passing under the Apalachicola Bridge, we were greeted by four shrimp boats bringing home their catch!

 

 

 

 

 

This is a view the Captain OFTEN has of his First Mate . . . . . . .

 

 

 

. . . . . . . because she's ALWAYS taking pictures of her friends, the dolphins!

 

 

 

 

 After a smooth crossing in Apalachicola Bay, we head up the Carrabelle River.

 

 

 

 

Carrabelle is a small fishing village in the Florida Panhandle that is the jumping-off point for the Gulf crossing.

We had an "interesting" time getting Spiritus into C-Quarters Marina.

The tide was still coming in, running perpendicular to her assigned slip.

Soon after our arrival we enjoyed "docktails" with fellow Loopers at The Moorings Marina.

Much of the talk was about the next day's plan to cross the Gulf.

The crew of Spiritus sitting at the same table they sat at two years ago when planning "the crossing".

 

 Sunset on the Carrabelle River.

 

 

 

 

 At the local IGA grocery store, a stock boy put forth a lot of effort in building this display out of soda cartons.

 

 

 

 

 The waterfront porch of C-Quarters Marina has many handmade rocking chairs, as well as this swing. 

Many hours can be spent sitting and enjoying the river view and "mastering the moment"! 

 

 

 

 

Spiritus took the lead when entering the Gulf and was soon joined by 13 other Looper trawlers. 

 

 

 

 

 

 The water clarity was pristine in the Gulf, as this picture of "hitchhikers" proves!

About 5 hours after sundown, I walked out to the bow, shined a spotlight into the water, and there were STILL dolphin riding in the bow wake!

Miles and miles out into the Gulf, with no land in sight, the First Mate poses in this beautiful sunset.

 



 In this picture, the moon has just completed coming fully above the horizon.

Before this shot, it was DARK out there!

 

 

 

 



 

After a long night through the darkness, the crew moved up to the flybridge with their coffee to watch the sunrise.

 

 

 

 

As we got within 20 miles of shore, "the enemy" started showing up!

Out of our flotilla of 14 trawlers, only one got tangled up in a crab pot line.

They made it to the marina on their own power, but a diver later removed the line.

 

 

The first of many drawbridges to come, the Dunedin/Honeymoon Island Bridge opens up for Spiritus.

 

 

Spiritus makes her way to her slip at Marker 1 Marina in Dunedin, Florida.

 

 

 

 

The marina staff knows how to make you feel "at home"!

A toast to a successful Gulf crossing and another better-than-average day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Panama City to Port St. Joe

 

 

 

Cruising toward Port St. Joe, we saw several working shrimp boats.

Linda tried to get the fishermen to toss her a few shrimp but the dolphin caught them!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Arrived at the charming Port St Joe Marina & were greeted by friendly dockhands to secure Spiritus' lines.

 

 

 

 

 

 The Captain put pork tenderloin on the grill just before sunset! 

 

 

 

 

 

The Cape San Blass Lighthouse is delightfully situated on one side of our marina AND . . . . . .

 

 

 

 

. . . .  . . Piggly Wiggly is conveniently located on the other side!!

 

 

 

 

 

The marina has courtesy bikes that we enjoy riding on the fabulous bike trails throughout town.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After a long bike ride, you can catch this Captain and First Mate relaxing on the marina's deck!

 

 

 

 

 

We love being in a marina where the locals appreciate our Auburn burgee...WAR EAGLE!

 

 

 

 

Guess who celebrated his birthday "Mexican style"?

 

 

 

And guess who the birthday boy had to share his ice cream with??

 

 

 

We plan to make the Gulf Crossing early next week but until then we will enjoy "The Forgotten Coast"!