From Clearwater YC to Bradenton YC

We didn't stay long in Clearwater since we wanted to be able to meet up with my niece and her husband on their days off this weekend.  We did enjoy some great company in the lounge, an always welcome activity in our cruising lifestyle.  I also took advantage of the laundry so now my hamper smells much betters.  David installed the dinghy floor good friend Darryl brought us from our attic when we were still in Panama City.  Thank God the other one started going flat while we were still in the Panhandle and Darryl was willing to retrieve and deliver our spare.  You always assume you will forget something but hope it's only that spare loaf of bread.  We are so grateful for friends!
Rather than take the time to come down the more scenic ICW , we went out the Clearwater Pass and sailed along the coast to the southern Egmont Channel into Tampa Bay then up the Manatee River to the Bradenton YC.  This is always a favorite stop we try to work in.  Friendly folks and beautiful places to go visit.  The real bonus this trip was Elizabeth and Anthony.  We met with them for dinner onboard Friday night then again for breakfast then we took them for a sail.  It was Anthony's first sail and the weather and wind were thankfully cooperative.  Sunday was spent on a Very interesting bike ride to Mass.  It was a bit hairy route so no pictures.  I was focused on navigating and avoiding traffic.  The parish is so alive and welcoming, it was so worth the trip.
Later we enjoyed breakfast at the club and relaxed a while before we ventured out for another ride.  That will be in the next post.

As we leave Tampa Bay and enter the Manatee River we sail along Snead Island. When we see this spit of
land we know we don't have far to go.  Although the club is called Bradenton YC, it actually on Snead Island
in Palmetto.

We have been visiting the area since about 08 and there are always some of the same boats just off the island.
We can never be sure, but it seems like people live on them on weekends.  We wonder if they move in storms.

According to local lore, this boat was saved from being scrapped and put into service
as a missionary boat taking supplies to orphanages in South America..  Apparently it wasn't really
seaworthy and no sits anchored in the river.  On occasion, we have seen people on board working
on her but not so far this trip.

The power boat is towing the sailboat towing the two dinghies.  Not a common sight for sure.

I have always liked the dramatic flair of the club entrance.  I can only imagine all the
calculations the architect had to perform to make sure it was hurricane resistant.

The seawall where transients tie up.  It is always full of member's boats on
the weekend.  It is popular to boat to the club from home rather than drive.
Larger boats from other clubs, like us, filled it on Friday and Saturday so I"m sure they
were glad to see only our boat hogging the wall on Sunday.

Elizabeth at the wheel.  It was here first time on Blue Moon.

I love this picture.  Always nice to see the simple signs of love.

We wanted to make sure and get to the Sunshire Skyway bridge.  Anthony has to drive across it
for work everyday and we wanted to show him a different perspective.  The sides of the bridge
are so high you really can't see much plus the drivers are crazy enough that
 there is no time for enjoying the view anyway. 

The bridge up close and personal