On the move again (Posted May 10, 2009)

We settled into the harbor at Bradenton Beach and stayed for a couple of weeks. Most of the same "characters" who were there last year were still there so we were again entertained watching the "human wildlife". While we were there we met the former mayor on the pier one day and she asked us to attend the meeting of the committee that is working on a plan to install a mooring field in the harbor. One purpose of installing a mooring field is to force out some of the above mentioned "characters" who live on poorly maintained boats and are what I call "float-aboards" because they have never actually been sailing, they just live on a boat for cheap housing. At the meeting I got up and spoke to the committee about what cruisers want and need in a mooring field. The local newspaper quoted me in their article about the meeting. I then decided, having given my "expert testimony", that I had enough of politics and would stay out of it from here on so that I wouldn't accidentally be elected mayor!! (teehee).

While we were in Bradenton Beach, we had dinner one evening with Bill and Sandy, friends who live in the area. And Linda's stepsister, Diane, came to visit one day. Linda worked on a number of sewing projects including a set of placemats for Amy and purses for friends. I pretended to be an electrician and replaced to electrical panel on the boat. I am pleased to report that there was no smoke or fire when I turned the electricity back on!!! And, all of the lights and circuits worked properly! :-)

We are currently in Redington Shores, having had a great sail about 27 miles up the coast from Anna Maria Island. We are anchored in a beautiful cove that we have used in the past. We always have it to ourselves even though it could easily hold 50 anchored boats! There is a nice park with a public dock for our dinghy (see photo above). It is near where Linda's niece lives and near where her stepsister Diane lives.

We came up here because Linda's nephew, Jimmy, is home on leave from Afghanistan. Linda's sister and brother-in-law came down from Georgia and yesterday they had a family picnic. They went all out with a great BBQ (ribs, shrimp, salmon, pasta and potato salads, etc.). We had a great time and were happy that it worked out that we happened to be up here when Jimmy was able to come home on leave.

While we are up this way, we will cruise around the St. Petersburg area staying in favorite anchorages and visiting with family and friends before returning to Bradenton Beach on Anna Maria Island.