Wednesday April 18: Near Anna Maria Island

Leaving Laishley Marina

So on Monday, we ended up with plan B. Since there were whitecaps in the harbor and 3 - 4 ft waves in Charlotte Harbor, it just seemed like the thing to do. I mean if we're concerned about getting away from the dock it was really a no brainer :-)

Finally then yesterday (Tues) we headed out. The nicest thing? The marina didn't even charge us for the last two days since we couldn't leave due to weather!

Punta Gorda (which translates to "fat tip" referring to the shape of the peninsula formed by Charlotte Harbor) was a wonderful place. We'll be back!!

Steve had my Ember mug (keeps the coffee at 145 degrees until the last drop :-) ) ready to go and we were on our way (thanks Becky!!).

What a pleasant trip south then west on the harbor - sunny, cool breeze - current going our way (well at least for a while!).

My pet peeve (well, one of many) is a marina indicating they have wifi. Except only if you happen to be in the exact right spot or go to the boaters lounge. But don't expect it on the boat. It's just not right.

So I experimented with a new long-range usb adapter wireless receiver while at Punta Gorda. I really do love Amazon. Had it the next day and it worked GREAT!!! Internet on the boat. As long as the new antenna was taped to the boom and directed toward the marina office.

No problem :-)  I'm sure it will come in handy as we travel the waterways1

It was a short travel day - in and anchored by 3 pm. The afternoon was enjoyable in my favorite place: reclining chair with my feet up on the door edge :-)

Sunset was again very nice and by midnight the winds had calmed and the seas were flat.

Great sleeping weather in the mid-60's.

We were off early this morning after sharing our anchorage in Lemon Bay with two other trawlers. It would be a long 45 mile day through many slow areas and currents often against us as we were on the intracoastal but passing by many openings into the Gulf.

Venice is a very popular area for boaters and today was not an exception, even though it wasn't a weekend. I loved the murals painted on 3 building facing the canal which was dug to connect the waterways above and below the city.

There were 3 'bird' islands that were home to pelicans and various egrets. Fun to see.

Steve did really well capturing this picture of a roseate spoonbill. They are such a distinctive color. We rarely see these.

Not rare at all are the osprey whose nests line the waterways. These birds build huge to small nests but they all seem to love the waterway markers - particularly the green ones which have square sides!

We knew we were closing in on our destination when we came to the bridge across Sarasota Bay. Only another 5 miles or so!


Finally, securely fastened to the dock at the Seafood Shack!

Of course Steve was off of the boat pretty quickly to ride over to Anna Maria Island to the park. It was very nice but he reported that outside the park was just wall to wall people and cars.

 The beach though was as nice as always!

London, Becky's puppy, is growing up fast - so cute!

In May we'll take a quick trip to California to see her for ourselves :-)

Quick before she is no longer a puppy!!


Tomorrow off to Caladesi Island - great state park with a wonderful, natural beach.

Weather is coming in again - perhaps we'll stay a few days :-)