An uneventul passage...thank god!
02 April 2008 | The Landings Marina, Tarpon Springs, FL
Day 81 - Tuesday, 4-1-08 - Bradenton Beach Marina to Chart House Marina, Clearwater Beach
We departed the marina smoothly, with excellent crew work...hey, it's only taken us
2-1/2 months. As we cleared the outer channel marker on Long Boat Pass, we put up the headsail. It was a broad reach and the winds were light. Kept the motor going to maintain the speed needed to reach Clearwater in the early afternoon.
The only excitement that occurred along the passage was our "collision course" with a freighter coming out of the Port of Tampa. Once again Gerry's experience led us to steer toward the stern of the vessel. We had to leave our designated track for awhile, but it didn't take long to return to it. The guys spent the day trying to find enough wind to fill the headsail.
The gulls played cards as usual, read, and napped. They were surprised when the guys said we were headed into Clearwater Pass. Jean loved the lonely but proud Victorian house nestled among all the new development just east of the Clearwater Pass Bridge. The Chart House Marina is located close to the Pass, so we were tied up in our slip by 3:15 pm. Again, good crew work (and fairly light winds) allowed a smooth landing.
Roger & Gerry came back from checking in at the office. Roger said "No pool, no showers...sorry girls!" As we groaned, he quickly said "April Fool!" We made our drinks and headed for the pool. Met a family from Tarpon Springs who told us the Louis Pappas Restaurant has been closed for almost three years. They gave us some good tips for other ones. Can't wait for an authentic Greek salad with shrimp on top and potato salad on the bottom!
Had a rotisserie chicken, carrots, mashed potatoes and salad for supper. Enjoyed nice showers. Jean did a load of wash at the same time. Sara made chocolate pudding. It was an enjoyable, but fairly uneventful day. (SBS)