Goodbye IRB!

From: Indian Rocks Beach, FL MM 129.0

To: Sarasota Bay Anchorage, MM 78.4

Start Hours: 444.2

End Hours: 453.5

Odometer: 46.5

Latt: 27 23 28 N

Long: 82 34 27 W

Weather: Mostly sunny; high 80 low 67; E@15-20 knots, but 5-10 knots in the evening

Comment: Departing a port usually brings about feelings of melancholy. We felt that in spades today as we bid goodbye to Lucille and Willis and Indian Rocks Beach. I can’’t begin to describe how great it was to visit them. Every day brought a new adventure and special activities. It was a busy time and we had great fun!

But it is time to push on, so we slipped our lines from their dock at 0905 and headed south, hoping to anchor in Sarasota Bay, almost 50 miles distant. 20 knot easterly winds shouldn’t be too bad on the waterway. We might even get to motor ail a bit, or so we hoped. The wind veered a bit south of east and the waterway turned a bit east of south. We didn’t even try to unfurl the jib.

The wind really blew up in Boca Ciega Bay. It made us think that crossing Tampa Bay would be rough, especially with frequent 30 knot gusts. As luck would have it, things calmed a bit as we passed Boca Ciega Bay and by the time we reached Tampa Bay, the sustained wind was around ten knots. It increased back to 15 knots, but not before we had already crossed Tampa Bay.

We anchored on the east side of North Sarasota Bay, about 3 miles north of center city Sarasota and the Longboat Key Bridge. 

Goodbye Lucille and Willis!

One of Willis' Blue Bills!

The Tampa Skyway Bridge in the distance.

Sunset over Sarasota Bay.

Prepping for departure!

Weather: Windy! E@20knots, gust to 30; mostly sunny; 80, 68

Comment: Besides helping Willis with a project, we spent time getting ready for tomorrow’s planned departure from IRB. 

Just after arriving at IRB, I serviced the port throttle/transmission cable. It had been sticky and wouldn’t fully shift into reverse. I was able to confirm that it is working fine since the recent service. We filled up the fresh water tanks, scrubbed the boat and did laundry.

The four of us had a terrific meal at a local Italian eatery (The Pizza Shack). We enjoyed it immensely.

Our visit to IRB is just about over, but what a great time we had. Willis and Lucille opened their home to us and greeted us with open arms. The activities and meals, whether at home or in a restaurant, were great. 

We’ve been invited back and plan to visit again at the end of the month, but this time without the boat, which will be in Titusville.  

The Phillies beat the Yanks 9-3 in a Spring Training Game!

Weather: Bright sunshine, not a cloud in the sky; high about 70. low 63; light wind A perfect day for baseball!

Comment: The window guys showed up at around 1000, to install the Gray’s new windows. Willis and I “supervised” their work and Anna Marie and Lucille went shopping. 

In the afternoon, we went the Bright House Field to watch the Phillies play a spring training game against the Yankees. The Phillies won by a score of 9-3. Jimmy Rollins and Joe Blanton looked good. Jim Thome, the DH, had a couple on hits. One just missed being a home run to deep center field, right near our lawn seats.

The Star Spangled Banner

The Yankees are up!

A Phillies phan!

The Bullpen at Bright House Field

The lawn seats

The view from right center field

Brunch at the Clearwater Yacht CLub!

Sunday, March 4, 2012 Brunch at the Clearwater Yacht CLub!

Lay Day: Indian Rocks Beach, FL

Comment: After a quick cup of coffee, we were off to brunch at the Clearwater Yacht Club. I hate brunches; so much food... so little time! Depicted in the photos are various scenes of the yacht club.

A fine yacht at the Clearwater Yacht Club

Clearwater YC marina

The mark set boats are still in the harbor

The Clearwater YC has its own Coconut Telegraph!

The water temp was 74 degrees in the Clearwater YC pool!

Tarpon Springs!

Lay Day: Indian Rocks Beach, FL MM 129.0

Weather: Brezzy SW 20-25 knots; high 85, low 79; partly sunny

Comment: Our hosts took us to Tarpon Springs, FL. A mostly Greek community founded by sponge fishermen. Today, it is touristy with lots of sponge and trinket shops and many Greek restaurants. We had a great authentic Greek meal at Hellas on the main drag. It was delightful! Before heading home, we purchased crabs, clams and fish for a seafood feast at dinner time.

It was another great day in the IRB area!

Historic Sponge Boat

Working Sponge Boat

For Sale!

The main drag in Tarpon Springs

Don's Marine Salvage!

Friday, March 2, 2012 Don's Marine Salvage

Lay Day: Indian Rocks Beach, FL MM 129.0

Weather: SW @ 12 knots; daytime temp in the mid 80s, nighttime in the high 70s; partly sunny

Comment: If your into anything nautical and you ever get to Largo, FL, make it a point to visit Don's Marine Salvage (click on this link to view their E-Bay store). 

The following paragraph is how they describe themselves in Internet advertising:

"WE CAN SATISFY ALL YOUR BOATING NEEDS.........OVER 6 ACRES OF Parts...........WE'VE GOT IT ALL..........25,000 Sq. Ft. OF COVERED located on west Florida's Gulf Coast, Don's Marine Salvage has been a preeminent provider of new and used boat parts for over 30 years. With over 6 acres of inventory including boat motors and parts, sailboat parts, trailer parts, baitwells, fuel tanks, rope, stainless hardware, teak wood and trim, outdrives, propellers, cables, rigging, seats, bimini tops, anchors and antique nautical supplies, Don's Marine Salvage will have the Boat part you are looking for, new or used. Our knowledgeable staff will be happy to assist in locating your boat part, provide international shipping, and even discuss trades!"

The place is overwhelming! One could spend days looking through the grounds, sheds, and storage trailers. Every turn of the head brings a special piece into view.

SPYC!

Lay Day: Indian Rocks Beach, FL MM 129.0

Weather: High 86, low 70, calm

Comment: The Gray's took us on a road trip today. The target was St. Petersburg. We enjoyed lunch at the St. Petersburg Yacht Club and walked around town. 

The Vinoy Basin, once a popular anchorage now usurped by the Pilot Mooring Field Program.    

The Vinoy Hotel is on the National Register of Historic Places.

This glass sculpture draws passersby into the Chihuly Collection at the Morean Arts Center in St. Pete.