December 14-17

December 14 Clearwater to Bradenton Today, Friday, the plan is to travel to Bradenton. Windy weather and colder days are predicted for the weekend. We would like to be settled in before then. The departure was delayed from 8am to approximately 10am as fog rolled in on the ICW. Loopers Honga and Transition decided to leave about the same time, so we we filled rank behind them. The trip was great. Several minimum wake zones which means slowing to a crawl but more time to enjoy the many nice homes, sand beaches and dolphins. A pair of dolphins followed along side our boat for the first time and Judy was able to get a few pictures. As we entered the Manatee River Honga crossed her wake, completing the loop. We arrived at Twin Dolphins marina near downtown Bradenton in early afternoon. Very nice marina--floating docks. Docked right across from Life is Short. Dinner on board tonight. Very warm. Eighty + degrees today and not cooling off much tonight. Locals are complaining of heat--snow predicted back home. 3222 statute miles travelled. 377 engine hours

December 15 Bradenton . Today we walked the town-Not too much here but very nice. Tonight they are having their Winter Festival--the city hauls in a bunch of snow, dumps it on a lot downtown, and then let the kids have a go at sledding. Had lunch at the restaurant here on site. Viewed the Christmas Boat parade here on the Manatee River. Unfortunately it rained courtesy of the fringes of Tropical Storm Olga. Very neat though. Many boats smothered in Christmas lights. Steaks on the grill tonight. Put out extra lines on the boat, as very strong NW winds and storms are predicted for tonight.

December 16 Bradenton. As predicted the winds picked up about 3 am and along with the wind came rain and some storms. Tornado warnings but no watches issued for this area. First intense rain we have seen since leaving on the trip in July. The morning brought a bright blue sky, but along with the clear sky, came a fierce NW wind blowing about 30-35 mph. We rocked and rolled even at the dock. There is a breakwater here but the marina is not protected from the wind and waves by the NW wind, which rolls right up Tampa Bay and up the Manatee River and into our Marina. A sailboat came into the dock and provided some anxious moments until many hands got her settled into the dock. At 1pm we met Bonnie and Gloria Ellis. Bonnie and her late husband Dick were our neighbors when we first got married and they were our salvation as they were great neighbors and kept Janna and Brian on many occasions and while we spent 3 weeks in Australia. Gloria is Dick's sister. They spend most of their time in Florida.

December 17 Bradenton. We had planned to move on down the ICW today towards Englewood. The wind was blowing pretty hard and it was chilly as we arose so we made the decision to stay in port today. Judy said she was going to clean inside the boat today, so I got out of her way and got the foldie bike out and rode across the bridge and went to West Marine, a four or five mile round trip. A brisk but sunny day, high of 58, and a refreshing ride. This afternoon I tried to remove the sensor on the holding tank gauge, but without any luck. Not much room to work. I must think this over and come up with a different plan. Hamburgers on the grill and early to bed as we plan for an early am departure tomorrow.