Good Times Continue

Having a "serious" Bloody Mary at Crabby Bill's on Clearwater Beach.

 

 

 

 

Eddy with Kevin Cooper and his wife, JoElla, aboard their boat  "JoElla".  

Kevin & Eddy flew together during their days at Northwest Airlink.

 

 

 

 

Fellow looper, Cindy, prepares her world famous ebleskivers for our brunch aboard Spiritus! 

 

 

 

 

The Captains wait patiently for their first mates before devouring Cindy's hard work!  Yum!

 

 

 

 

Low tide . . . . . . .

 

 

High tide . . . . . . 

 We had to learn a whole new way of securing our lines in order to cope with the tide changes.

 

 

 

 

Mike & Cindy delayed their departure in order to have breakfast with us at Dunedin's famous Kelly's.

 

 

 

 

Cindy said her gourmet cup of hot chocolate was definitely worth the delay!

 

 

 

 

Aurora, the now famous little 22 foot sailboat from Minnesota, departs Dunedin Marina.

  We look forward to crossing paths with Mike & Cindy in 2013 while on The Loop.

 

 

 

 

These two guys were just waiting for an opportunity to scarf up some fish that might be left unattended at the dock's fish-cleaning station.

 

 

 

 

Captain Eddy prepares the fresh mullet he caught earlier in the day (that the pelicans didn't steal!).

 

 

 

 

Making my girl very happy with the fresh catch of the day!

 

 

 

 

We rode bikes to Honeymoon Island one day and were reminded of the beautiful white sand beaches back in Navarre.

 

 

 

 

Sea shells were plentiful if you were inclined, like Linda, to pick them up. 

Eddy, on the other hand, took the opportunity to nap in the warm sunshine!

 

 

 

 

We hiked Honeymoon Island's Osprey Trail and saw 22 nests. 

The trail's pine forest is home to owls, eagles, hawks, armadillos, racoons & other Florida wildlife.

 

 

 

 

These two fellows were NOT on the Osprey Trail !  

Because they didn't bark or even move when we walked by, I had to take their picture.

 

 

 

 

Friends of Linda's sister, Brenda, pose with us on Spiritus before Sunday brunch. 

Notice the beautiful Christmas cactus that Nancy & Dave brought us!

 

 

 

 

 

The Botanical Garden in nearby Largo did an outstanding job getting folks into the Christmas spirit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mr & Mrs Claus get hugs from Ruth & Linda in the Gardens.

 

 

 

 

Enjoying a peaceful pause in this magical wonderland.

 

 

 

 

Central Park, near Clearwater, was decorated with amazing lights as well.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The spectacular sunset from Spiritus the day our dear friend Dick Pinsoneault took his final trip west.

  We'll miss you, Ricardo.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Almost Christmas

A clever artist painted these crab pot markers and hung them in a mossy clad oak tree in downtown Dunedin.  Too bad they weren't this brightly colored when we came across the Gulf ! 

 

 

 

 

The spirit of the season surrounds us here in Dunedin . . . . . .

 

. . . . .as various organizations & businesses get creative decorating the downtown lamposts.

 

 

 

 

The B&B behind this lampost is just as fancy as their elegant decorations. . . . .

 

. . . . . but this Christmas cactus enticed us to indulge in an authentic Mexican meal.

 

 

 

 

Linda decided to have a martini at a local watering hole . . . . .

 

. . . . . before continuing on to the North Pole!

 

 

 

 

Of course Mr. & Mrs. Claus were in town . . . . .

 

. . . . .and brought along their reindeer powered sleigh!

 

 

 

 

Dunedin stays true to its Scottish heritage by including a bagpipe band . . . . .

 

 

. . . . . or two. . . . .

 

. . . . . or three in their Christmas Parade !!!

 

 

 

 

Clowns . . . . .

 

. . . . . were . . . .

 

. . . . . always . . . .

 

. . . . . making us smile !!!

 

 

 

 

Arrrrrrggh!  A pirate ship's crew throws Christmas "booty" to the crowd!

 

 

 

 

Some people just know how to capture everyone's attention!

 

 

 

 

 

Santa throws special treats to the good girls and boys . . . . .

 

. . . . . who look a lot like this!

 

 

 

 

 

The real reason for the season is not forgotten, even in this fun parade.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



December in Dunedin

We have found a slice of paradise ... delightful Dunedin has stolen our hearts & we are grateful to be able to spend December in this charming, friendly town because : 

 

...we love this sunny weather....

 

 

... we've made new friends at our marina who bake us homemade brownies...

 

 

... we can walk to the weekly farmer's market & get the best ever fruit...

 

... or take the Jolley Trolley to Clearwater Beach for our vegetables......

 

...and see the beautiful white beaches decorated for Christmas.

 

 

 

....we can walk down main street & enjoy the lightposts come alive with the Christmas spirit...

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

.... the Dunedin Christmas Boat Parade is an amazing sight ...

 

 

 

 

... friends share smiles at the lighting of the town Christmas tree ...

 

.... and Spiritus gets decorated for the season.

 

 

...our landlubber friends & family are only a phone call away...

 

 

....we love the gorgeous sunsets from Spiritus' flybridge...

 

...followed by delicious grilled meals by Chef Eddy.

 

 

 

....the ice cream theme continues!!

 

 

 

 

Wishing you boatloads of blessings this holiday season!!