Had another fun filled day yesterday. Took the trolley to Mote Marine and toured the aquarium. It is the largest research organization for sea life in North America. Many well known researchers work there including a woman who specializes in sharks. She has discovered that sharks get 8 of the same cancers as humans but they don't die from them. Came back to the boat, and again jumped into the dinghy to watch the sunset. Full moon last night, and very chilly. We had talked about going in the kayak for a full mom cruise, but we chose to stay in the warm boat instead. We had hot soup and salmon for dinner, and watched a very funny show on HBO to go (technology is great) As I made coffee in my old fashioned percolator on the stove just now, I thought about all the fancy things I use every day at home. They are all nice things, but in the end very unimportant. It's only the people that matter in life.

Another day in paradise...we could travel thousands of miles and the scenery wouldn't be as pretty as it is here. Yesterday, after a long, leisurely breakfast, we jumped in the kayak and paddled over to Coquina Beach. It is a good distance from Free Spirit; we have walked there from the boat which involves walking out to the main drag and crossing the Longboat Pass bridge. We had a picnic lunch and then walked all the way to the turnaround where there is a street of shops and restaurants. Omi, Deb and I have gone there to shop and to eat crepes at a cute French restaurant. The great thing about this area is that you can walk for miles safely on paved walkways, or if you rather ride, jump on a trolley - which is what we did on the way back. We retrieved our kayak and, after some fun exploring, came back to the boat. Eric read and I enjoyed yoga in our cockpit (there is room for my yoga mat, which is great). Soon it would be happy hour, and because the trees block the sunset a bit, we jumped into the dinghy and rode out to the Gulf entrance to watch the sunset. We had a delicious dinner...it's funny but everything tastes great when on the water, in the fresh air. Woke up to the sounds of birds chirping. I like this alarm clock much better than the one at home!

It is nice to stay in one spot as beautiful as this anchorage in Longboat Key for more than just a pass through. The morning started with a group of dolphins playing near our boat and even jumping out of the water - of course, in honor of Eric's birthday. We walked to the main road and caught the bus to St. Armands. It worked great. Only $1.25 per person. We had lunch at the Columbia, sat outside and watched the world go by. The server brought a flan for Eric's birthday. We shopped around the circle, and at 3 caught a van back to our anchorage. I quickly jumped into the kayak, and for the first time, took it out by myself. What a treat. The water was like glass and I felt like I had the whole anchorage area to myself. It was so peaceful. Birthday dinner was lamb chops and salad. Then we watched Boardwalk Empire on the ipad. So what a world...Ed (may he rest in peace) would have loved this new world. This morning we read the Tampa Bay Times on our ipads, replied to work emails, etc. etc. all on the boat. Love it.

We had a beautiful trip to the Mar Vista anchorage in Longboat Key yesterday. We listened to the Bucs game on the radio and enjoyed the beautiful, clear weather. On the way out of the lower Manatee, Bob and Cindy Weisberg called us on the radio; they were anchored on the other side of the river. We sailed with them for a while, and then said good bye and went on our way. When we arrived yesterday afternoon, we jumped into our kayak and paddled around the anchorage, over to Jewfish Key, an Island close to us. There are several homes there, and it was fun to get close to them (closer than we have ever gotten in our sailboat because it is too shallow) and take a good look. I wonder if people live their full time or just use the homes as weekend and vacation get aways. Eric made a delicious dinner of sauteed eggplant, onion and summer squash and quinoa. Nice and hot, which was perfect for a chilly evening. This morning (Eric's 55th) we are enjoying coffee and breakfast, and just savoring the opportunity to rush nowhere. Our plan today is to dinghy to shore, and catch a trolley to St. Armands, and have lunch at the Columbia to celebrate Eric's birthday. So far, I am still in my pajamas and drinking coffee!

Thanksgiving sailing trip 2012

We arrived at the lower Manatee River Friday morning, after a very nice Thanksgiving day, spent with the Sokolovs, Arlene and Bill, Jacob and Omi. Of course, there was a an empty seat and an emptiness in our hearts without Poppi with us. Josh wasn't with us either, as he is on a two month stint in Belize, to open a call center in Belize. The Benstocks arrived here on Sababa shortly after us, and we immediately kayaked over to them for happy hour and we had a delicious steak dinner. Yesterday, they came here for breakfast, and then Eric and I went to shore and hiked for an hour around Emerson Park. It is an amazingly beautiful, vestige of what Florida used to look like before it was developed. The plants, trees, etc. are so lush, and there are butterflies everywhere. We even saw lemon trees. Lunch of delicious fish chowder made by Chef David was on Sababa, followed by a nap on Free Spirit, then back to Sababa to watch the Gators crush the Noles. Mike had us on a regular feeding schedule throughout the evening; whole wheat pasta with Chef David's homemade pesto at half time, brisket sandwiches after the game, and then a tradition that began on our last trip with Margot and Mike (Mike said it was so much fun he will never forget it), hot dogs with sauerkraut at the stroke of midnight (last night it was just before midnight) All night we had a countdown...4 hours til hot dogs, 3 hours and 42 minutes til hot dogs, etc. One would think we were consuming the most amazingly delicious gourmet meal, but there is something about being outside, under the stars eating a hot dog at midnight. Unforgettable. This morning we will leave for Longboat Key; the Benstocks are heading home. The weather couldn't be better; beautiful during the day, and chilly at night, which is great for sleeping. As we enjoy a leisurely breakfast this morning, I am once again reminded why I love this boat so much. The sky is blue, and the only sounds I hear are the birds and the water lapping against the boat. Peace and quiet.