We have enjoyed the Municipal Marina in Clearwater, particularly the transient dock with the Ft. Meyer group heading north. They were most concerned about the dock bolts I mentioned to them at the City Marina in Tarpon Springs. You see, they all have large, really expensive looking trawlers and those bolts might just scratch their sweeties. If one were more of a jokester, one could really have fun with groups seeking "local knowledge". Then again, there is honor in the system that prevents telling someone about some unexploded ordinance in their anchorage.
We launched the dink for the first time yesterday and ran around the area looking at boats. One boat had an interesting foredeck addition: a recliner/rocker. It was sitting forward of the mast and appeared to be quite suitable for sunset watching. The red pirate boat comes by the transient docks several times a day. Before getting back to dock, withing a few yards of the same place, their loud speaker is playing "Who let the dogs out? Umh! Umh!" The whole dock gets into that when they pass. Sort of funny looking at old cruisers dancing around singing that. Must have something to do with the adult beverages being consumed. Of course Bear and I do not participate.
Bear and I were at dinner last evening enjoying a nice meal when a group of five adults and at least eight youngsters were seated next to us. They were from New York and loudly let everyone in the dining room know it. The kids were most obnoxious as was the mom who kept yelling loud enough for everyone to hear. Great thinks I but Bear and I were determined to enjoy the food. In a few minutes a thirty something jerk yelled at me from the table. "What's you problem old man?". Ignoring him, he did it again only louder. My response was to suggest he accomplish something anatomically impossible to which he got even louder. The oldest fellow moved the thirty something away from me and for some reason the kids got quieter. Then the fellow admitted the group had been in the booze all day and apologized. Gee, did they think were were enjoying their presence? Anyway, that was last night.
Kiosks for charter boats
Today, we plan to sail to Egmont Key. It is southwest of Tampa Bay. That means that we are skipping the Bay area altogether. We want to anchor out for a couple of days if the weather allows us to stay in the anchorage. The determining factor is wind. If it comes around to the east, that would put us on the windward shore. Forecast calls for W and NW winds. We'll see. Most likely, there will be poor signal strength there so we may not post for a couple of days.
We saw a boat approaching the marina late yesterday that looked familiar. It was a boat that was in Port Saint Joe for over six months. The locals there said it was berthed there and based on observations would most likely make PSJ their permanent home. They docked just across from us and told us that they set sail from Apalachicola some thirty six hours earlier. Having found no wind of any use, they motored the entire time. When they arrived, they were ready for showers and a long nights sleep. We know that feeling.
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