Day 76, "on the loop", 12/23/2022

I didn't think I would have much to blog about; boy, was I wrong! We have had an eventful week.

Saturday afternoon (12/17), we had docktails with Eddie and Linda Johnson (Gold loopers, completed the loop 2 times). It was great to catch up with them. They are very knowledgable and had a lot to share as it relates to the loop. They both had amazing careers before retirement: Eddie was a pilot in the airfare and Linda was in education (as a teacher and a counselor in the later part of her career). They shared some of their favorite loop stops and asked us about ours. As we were wrapping up, Joel noticed a few decorated bikes and realized it was a Bicycle Christmas parade. We hurried to the street and watched the tail end of the bicycle parade. It was super cool, we were greeting them with waves and cheering them on with Christmas / Holiday greetings. Note: Dunedin has a parade for everything (bicycle, motorcycle, boats and even golf carts - we didn't see the golf cart parade).

Sunday mid morning (12/18), we decided to do laundry so we wouldn't need to during Jonathan's visit. While at the laundry mat, we noticed several motorcycles lined up for a parade and learned it was the 42nd annual Toy Run. I wanted to see the parade and Joel opted to stay back w/ the laundry.

I met T-Man who explained the drive (see picture below). T-Man has participated in this event the past 8 years. I grabbed a picture with him and learned that he served in the Army (Special Forces). He is 70 years old now and really enjoys being apart of the Sun-coast Brotherhood (Biker Rights Group). There must have been 100+ motorcycles in the parade. The parade does a big circle, takes approx. 3 hours to complete. The part I watched and recorded was over 10 minutes. Note: It was unusually cold in Dunedin on this day; hence the sweatshirt and headpiece :-) You can see more of the parade on my Facebook page (if interested).

Back at the laundry mat, we met John and Wayne (no relation, doing their own laundry).

John shared he has been at the laundry mat on parade day the past 3 years (not planned) BUT this year, he planned it. He said he always enjoys the parade. Wayne, a Kentucky man, moved to Dunedin after his retirement a few years back. He shared information about the parade path and a bit about his self, career and family. Wayne's father was a coal miner.

They asked where we were from and were curious about "The Loop". John is a sailer (has 2 sailboats) and knew about the loop. He was excited to meet someone that is actually doing the loop and hopes to do it someday. Wayne had never heard of the loop. When he learned that Joel was from New Hampshire (even called him a yankee — lol), and told us a few jokes (that I can no longer remember). We had a nice visit with both John and Wayne, shook their hands and wished them a Merry Christmas. Wayne specifically asked to shake Joel's hand and said, "I have never shook hands w/ a yankee". - hahahaha. Joel just grinned (it's not the first time Joel has been joked about). Joel is always a good sport with us southerners!

Another highlight of our stay in Dunedin, we met Susan and her father, a war veteran (Korean War). Susan does amazing work for us boaters. She repairs fabrics an Isinglass (Isinglass is the plastic windows for boats). We needed Susan to repair our front two panels, see pic below.

Susan and her team offered to pick up our items; however, we were okay delivering via the bikes. Susan's dad was impressed with the electric bikes and wanted to get a picture of this great day!

The Isinglass look like new! Well, the right side is new. Susan added stronger zippers to both panels. Thank you, Susan! & Thank your dad again for his service!

NOW for the BEST part:

The biggest and best highlight of it all is: Jonathan arrived on Monday, December 19th. Of course, the day started out with some drama. We had scheduled a driver to pick Jonathan up at 6am, CT; however, he was a no show. At 6:20am, we told Jonathan to drive his self to airport for a 7:55 am flight (boarding time was 7:25 am). Note: Before instructing Jonathan to drive, we texted the driver and called his cell (crickets!) Of course, we had a back up plan had Jonathan missed his plane.

I was watching Jonathan's every move on Life 360 (an app that shows where Jonathan is) to ensure he left the house, got to the parking spot, then airport, etc. Sitting on pins and needles, he made it with 5 mins to spare. He even had time to joke with me, as he made it through security and on his way to gate (running). He called and said he was thru security.

J: I made it thru security.

Me: Great, you have 15 mins, run to your gate (E34)

J: So you think I am good?

Me: Yes, you should be great.

J: Then, I am going to stop for some food.

Me: Yelling at this point, you better be running to your GATE!

J: Awh (and laughing), I was just joking

Jonathan made it Dunedin!

Before leaving Dunedin, we showed Jonathan around. Jonathan and I rode the bikes to Honeymoon Island, we looked for dolphins but didn't see any. We had to wait for water traffic to pass under bridge prior to crossing over to the Island.

Joel and Jonathan road the bikes to Palm Blvd to check out the town of Ozona. This gave Jonathan a glimpse of the bike path we have enjoyed the past 30 days!

We took Jonathan to Frenchy's for dinner. Frenchy's, a chain restaurant known for their grouper sandwiches. They make them several ways: original, blackened, cajun, jerk, etc.

During our last couple of days, we met our boat neighbors: Wendy and John. They recently purchased a huge fishing boat (Sea Dated). They are in the process of refurbishing it. We also met other boat neighbors, Chris Francis (he may follow our blog). Welcome Chris!

Adam, a dock hand, assisted Joel with a pump out. Linda Johnson from Spiritus (Boat name) came over to say goodbye! We departed Dunedin (12/20) around 10am, ET and traveled to St. Pete for one evening.

Bellair, FL - Some water front properties in an area on the way to St. Pete. There was an incredible golf course; you may be able to see it in the background of the LARGE blue boat :-)

Map of Trip: Dunedin, FL (Marker 1 Marina) to St. Pete, FL (St. Pete Municipal Docks)

We arrived at St. Pete's marina later then we wanted to. The weather wasn't that great. We had to get out the ole rain jackets! We have been to St. Pete in the past, so felt comfortable not being able to see the sites. We could see our friends (Heidi and Steve's) place from the marina. We did manage to work in a great meal at Doc Ford's.

Doc Ford's, a restaurant, nearby and in walking distance. Jonathan had a stone crab leg (as an appetizer). We learned something knew. Did you know? Stone crabs are only in season for 3 months. When a stone crab is taken from the water, one leg is pulled off and that crab is returned to the ocean. The stone crab will "re-grow" the leg. Fascinating, huh?!

Due to some high winds and rain, the boat was rocking! Apparently, it is unseasonably cold (according to the locals we spoke to, it hasn't been this cold since 1983). Go figure! It still beats the chilling temps back home in St. Louis.

Departed St. Pete the morning of 12/21 and stayed the night in Sarasota. We met up with Breakaway (Alain and Danielle), haven't seen them since the Gulf crossing in Clearwater. Great to see familiar faces.We had a nice Italian dinner, near the marina. The Sarasota area is great, located near several eateries with outdoor seating.

Some pictures from water view as well as some when we arrived in St. Pete:

Pic 1 & 7 - St. Pete skyline

Pic 2 - Me and J

Pic 3 - Restaurant at entry point to St. Pete

Pic 4 - Doc Ford's dinner

Pic 5 - J all snuggled up, it was a chilly night

Pic 6 - We can see our friends place from the marina (behind the Hilton)

Pic 8 - The boat ahead of us needed the bridge to be opened and we just followed behind them

Map of Trip: St. Pete, FL to Sarasota, FL (Marina Jack's marina)

We were only in Sarasota for a short time; however, we were able to take a few pictures during our travels (view from the water, see below).

During our travels from Sarasota, we saw several dolphins. Dolphins like to play in a boat's wake. I am not sure if it's true or not but the dolphin tour guides promote cloudy days are the best to see dolphins. I think we do see more dolphins when it's cloudy. At one point, we had 5 dolphins swimming in our wake (the most we have had swim with us). Note: I am note sure how to upload a video to the blog. You can see the video on my Facebook page "Tracy Carr Boisselle," if interested.

Some pictures from water view as well as some when we arrived in Sarasota:

Pic 1 - J checking out the dinghy, had a little damage upon our arrival, nothing major!

Pic 2 - Boater across from our slip, parked his boat using a remote control

Pic 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 10, 11 - houses with water front views

Pic 6 - One of the many bridges we went under. We need 17.5 clearance to pass under a bridge

Pic 9 - Joel and Jonathan at the helm, color coordinated

Pic 10 - This is one of many signs, calling out manatee sites

Departed Sarasota the morning of 12/22 and stayed at Boca Grande for the evening. We had originally planed to be in the Keys; however, due to weather (winds and high seas) we will hold here in Boca until after Christmas.

Map of Trip: Sarasota, FL (Marina Jack's Marina) to Boca Grande, FL (Boca Grande Marina)

When we arrived at Boca Grande, I recall being here 2 times before. We were here 2 years ago when we chartered a catamaran (at the beginning of the pandemic, traveling with the Jarvis') and then Mr. Morgan brought us here on his boat once.

Friday, (12/23) - We walked around Boca, it was a chilly day; will be much cooler tomorrow. Stopped in a few stores to look around, bought a couple of items from the local grocery store for dinner. We plan to eat on the boat again this evening, cold front coming through! We had lunch out, Joel and I enjoyed a Bloody Mary. Note: J is designated driver and took this picture.

We have reservations for Christmas Eve dinner @ the upstairs dining room of Miller's. Excited to celebrate Christmas on the boat. Back home in St. Louis (or at least in Wildwood), they had 2 inches of snow and temps are in the single digits.

Sine we have been to Cabbage key before, we will skip it this trip. If you have not been, we highly recommend it.

Random Information:

While in Sarasota (returning the marina key), we met two other loopers that we have not crossed paths with before: Odyssey (from Boston): Bill & Dianne and 2nd Seabatical (Scott & Shelly).

Bill from Odyssey and Joel had a connection in that they both went to Northeastern and were there at the same time! Bill retired from law enforcement and started his loop in November. Odyssey and Anna Dee are both from the same boat club back in Boston. They have NOT met, yet (but have heard of each other).

Scott from 2nd Seabatical has a connection to St. Louis, he is from the Ballwin area. He saw that we were from St. Louis and told us he went to Parkway High :-), We told him Jonathan went to Eureka High. If you are not from St. Louis, you may not understand; however, the question everyone ask is "Where did you go to High school?".

We will more than likely see these 2 boats again in the keys as they both are headed in that direction!

Joel hates it when we end up dressing similar.... here's a rare picture - LOL

Merry Christmas Everyone! Hope you have a safe, healthy and happy holiday. God's blessing to each and every one of you.

                        Shout Outs:

December 19:  Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law, Crystal Carr - hope you have a great year!

December 25:  Merry Christmas to all. Happy Birthday, Jesus!

December 26:  Happy Birthday, Evelyn!

Big Shout out to Jonathan - Who received his grades all A w/ 1 B - GPA:  3.8, Great job buddy... EVEN THOUGH YOU WILL NOT SEE THIS... he doesn't read our blog :-)