We are at Useppa Island, a utopia for boaters. Useppa is a private island, with many large homes, and the only way to get there by boat (or helicopter!). In the other direction is Cabbage Key, where there are cute bugalows on the water for rental and a restaurant where it is rumored Jimmy Buffet wrote "Cheeseburgers in Paradise." We went out in the Gulf yesterday to get here, and it was very pitchy (the Captain didn't know it would be rocking and rolling as much as it was). Long story short, I should have taken a dramamine when it was offered to me. The seasickness hit me like a ton of bricks. I took two of the pills, told Eric to get out of the Gulf and into the Intercoastal (where it would be calm) and slept. Eventually we did get out of the gulf, took Stump Pass to the intercoastal and I was feeling like a new person. One of the highlights of the trip was a dolphin that decided to coast along our boat for about 15 minutes. It was amazing. When we arrived at Useppa, we went for a swim which felt wonderful, then joined our friends, Tom and Brady on "Mo Headroom" for happy hour and dinner, which consisted of chicken, broccoli and Tom's famous salad (spinach, gorgonzola and walnuts). The weather is perfect for sleeping, and waking up hearing the birds and water lapping on the boat is a real treat. Today we will get in the dingy and explore. Might pack a picnic lunch and go to the beach.

Venice (Florida, not Italy)

Had a beautiful sail to Venice on the intercoastal. Enjoyed a great workout for about an hour on deck. Beats the heck out of the gym! This area is heaven. Water is blue and there are so many dolphins. We arrived at Crow's Nest and Eric spent about 2 plus hours repairing our jib sail. I walked to the beach and took a swim and saw two dolphins very, very close to shore. It was amazing. Walked out on the Venice jetty to watch the sunset, which is always a treat! Off to Useppa tomorrow.

APRIL 2012 ON FREE SPIRIT

Left the marina at 11:30 on Friday April 13. One unwritten rule for boaters is NEVER leave for cruise on Friday the 13th. But, we left anyway and when we saw a dolphin on the way out of the marina, we took that as a good sign. We had a beautiful sail to Longboat Key and met up with our friends Maya and Al on Fantastique. They came aboard for happy hour and then we went on their dingy ashore to Mar Vista for dinner. My friend, Tosca (the gatekeeper at Mar Vista) was happy to see me, but we still had to wait a while for a table. We bought a bottle of wine and sat on chairs on the beach while we waiited. Al told us a great story about how he and Tom (of Tom and Brady, the couple who shared our poisonous barracuda last year) worked for 4 months, 3 days a week on Fantastique getting blisters off the bottom and redoing the fiberglass. Enjoying a beautiful morning at this anchorage. Made coffee in a french press that I bought on Groupon and it is really good, a perfect way to brew coffee on a boat. I am watching some kids with their Dads fishing on the little Mar Vista pier. When I get out here, I am convinced I could get used to this for extended periods of time. We will leave later this morning for a day trip on the intercoastal to Venice to spend the night. A good day to all of you from Free Spirit!

Home

We had a lovely sail home from Longboat Key. We cleaned up the boat so it is spotless and ready for our next trip. As we walked away, we both had tears in our eyes that our wonderful adventure was over, and that we would have to face "reality" the following day.

I didn't sleep well Sunday night, as I was apprehensive about what would be waiting for me in my office. I arrived there early, and got back into the saddle quickly. It felt good to be back.

Today is Tuesday, and I am thinking back on what we were doing a week ago on Free Spirit. I already can't wait until we untie the lines, once again, for our next adventure.

venice

Every place we visit I say "this is my favorite spot." Venice is a beautiful area. From our boat we look out on an inlet often filled with dolphins. There are beautiful homes surrounding the inlet and there is a park across from us where people fish and picnic.

We walked to the Venice pier yesterday. It is a 5k there and back and a beautiful walk on the beach. So we did a bit over 6 miles, had lunch on the boat and then rode our bikes into town. Many cute shops and we enjoyed exploring. Enjoyed happy hour on the jetty and watched yet another incredible sunset. Both my sons called to wish me Shabbat Shalom.

Ate dinner at the tavern in Crows Nest. There seems to be a common theme among the people we talk to. Everyone wants to play more and work less.

The Christmas boat parade - a big event in Venice - is tonight. There are already many chairs set up along the jetty. The boaters around us are busy decorating their boats, and they can't understand that we are not staying for this important event!

Just saw a dolphin so that means it should be a good day. We are leaving to head home. Off to Longboat Key.

off to venice

Took off this morning for Venice. Great sailing weather. A bit cool but sunny. Arrived at the Crow's Nest dock late afternoon (first time this trip that we are paying instead of anchoring out) We got on the free bikes that are available to cruisers and rode into town to buy some wine at our favorite wine shop, and got back in time to walk out onto the jetty to watch the sun set. Had a great dinner on board of lamb chops, corn on the cob and salad. This little marina is quite empty. Maybe a sign of the times. Tomorrow laundry, Publix and exploring the cute town of Venice.

Longboat Key

Arrived in Longboat Key (Moore's Stone Crab anchorage)yesterday, took the dingy to shore and walked across the Longboat Pass Bridge to check out trolley service. Really beautiful walking over the bridge, and a totally different perspective than being on Free Spirit and going under it! On the way back we saw a school of dolphins swimming near the bridge. Saw Tosca at Mar Vista (she is the hostess), and what was really funny about that is that when we were walking in the DeSoto Point Park a couple of days ago, we ran into her walking her dog. When Mom, Deb and I were last at Mar Vista, she said she would like to have a sister so I said I would adopt her and I left her a note on the reception stand with my email.
BBQ'd a delicious steak and had a nice evening on board. This morning, we took off with backpacks for the day; we walked across the bridge again and got on the free trolley and rode it to my favorite breakfast spot for triple berry pancakes (Gulf Drive Cafe). We got on the trolley and rode it all the way to the Ana Maria pier and checked out all of the cute little shops. Caught the trolley back to the bridge, and while walking over the bridge say a dolphin breach out of the water. Beautiful!
Tonight we are eating soup and pasta on board, and heading out to Venice tomorrow.