Breakfast at the Marina Cafe which is a popular spot for locals. Think after a month we could be considered "local".....anyway many know Saddi....don't know about Rik and I.
The Minchew Clan will be traveling with us to Treasure Island. Tom and Sandy winter on Indian Rocks Beach and Chris, Susie, Zack and Nick are here for the holidays from snowy Michigan.
Bit of trivia....the city of Clearwater sets atop the highest point of land on the Western Florida coastline.
Our friends from the dock send us off....really great people....we had fun getting to know them and spent time with them. Of course when we leave I'm busy with lines and fenders....so no camera shots of the group.
We follow the marked channel through Clearwater Harbor to the ICW and turn south. The ICW passage through Clearwater Harbor is one of the shallowest runs on the entire Western Florida Waterway. Sea Tow just sits out there on weekends to help "beached" boats. (hope they paid their dues) But, we have the Captain stay between the red and green and Zack and Nick are reading the charts, binoculars in hand and the I Pad running. They are reporting crab pots and giving numbers so we are fine.
Captain, Zack and Nick
Tom and Sandy
As you can see the fog has gone away.....sun is out....mid 70's.....it's delightful....the water is turning to shades of green. You can spot the skinny water.....so stay in the channel
Susie and her family are staying at the Holiday Inn Harborside Resort and Marina. They leave tomorrow for Michigan and the snow.
Susie and Chris
Saddi has changed her spot
Good-bye Clearwater Beach
We leave the Clearwater Harbor at the Belleair Bridge which is new. Think they completed it last year but Rik and I had never been over it so we still think of it as "new".
New Belleair Bridge
The ICW between Belleair Bridge and Treasure Island Causeway is SLOW because of the minimum-wake zones. So you jut putt along watching the dolphins, crazy boaters and keeping an eye out for manatees. The bridges in this stretch were not a problem as we were able to clear the top without waiting for the bridge tender to open them (on the hour and half-hour)
We are in the Narrows which connect Clearwater Harbor and Boca Ciega Bay. We have driven this area so many times but this was our first time seeing it from the water.
Holiday Inn Harborside Marina
This is really on the water
When we go under Treasure Island Causeway (18 feet) we are at the marina. Have to watch the captain that he doesn't cut the corner (1 foot deep) therefore pictures later.....We have now traveled the ICW past Sand Key (really nice), Indian Rocks Beach, Indian Shores, Redington Shores, N. Redington Beach, Redington Beach, Madeira Beach and to Treasure Island. A total of 18 Stm
in 2 1/2 hours. But we are not on a schedule.
The dock master Bob helps us tie up and everyone is ready for shore including Miss Saddi. Looks like we are the only "looper" here. They have a special 2nd night free for loopers so we are staying two nights. But at $2.50 per foot plus $12 per day for 50 amp you can figure our deal.
Tom and Sandy treat us to lunch at Sloppy Joes on the Beach. So....off we go....after 20 minutes or so we arrive thirsty and hungry. They are known for their "huge" Sloppy Joes.
Our Michigan cousins catch the Jolly Trolley to go back to Clearwater Beach and pick up their car and Rik and I walk back to the marina. Rainy evening....peaceful.....no rocking and rolling......
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