Clearwater Florida

The Tarpon Springs Municipal dock is next to Tsvaris Lighthouse Restaurant; the Sponge Factory is next door. We had a heck of a time getting into the slip but are secured nicely after help from Dock Master Mike. The wind wanted to push us out of the slip when we entered, then kept us in the slip for two nights! Dave took advantage of the down day to catch up on engine maintenance. We rode the bikes into old town to pick up oil filters and groceries. It is nice to have fresh food options again.

Tsvaris Restaurant & The Sponge Factory

On Tuesday, April 25th, we bid farewell to Tarpon Springs and headed for Clearwater. We want to try to make it south of Tampa before leaving Mystic for the month of May. On our way, we made a stop at the F&Y commercial fuel dock and added 34 gallons of diesel. It's late morning when we leave the Anclote River and join up with the ICW. We passed under the Dunedin Honeymoon Island Bascule Bridge after a short wait, then under the Rt. 60 Clearwater Beach Bridge, arriving at the Clearwater Beach Municipal Dock around 3:00. It was a lovely trip.

Heading under the Dunedin Honeymoon Island Bridge

Guarding the nest

The marina is expensive but is walking distance to the beach, restaurants and bars. We don't often splurge on expensive stops but sometimes we just need a special treat. This is one of those times we will reward ourselves for completing the crossing! The Clearwater Beach tour boats go right by us and fuel up right next to us. It seems this is a busy place but it quiets down after dark.

Pirate Boat ~ Clearwater Beach, FL

Jean and Ray picked us up around 4:00, along with four bags of laundry. We had a great time at their lovely home, grilling steak and chicken and enjoying several side dishes including roasted potatoes, salad, coleslaw, summer squash and zucchini. After dinner, Jean and I went for a spin on their three-wheeler trikes. We met up with neighbors along the way then stop at Ed Morenzoni's house where we joined the boys who were enjoying a glass of wine. As we chat, we learn that Ed is from RI and knows many of the same folks we do. By the time Ray and Jean load us up with leftovers and three loads of clean laundry it is 9:00 pm. We got back to Mystic and made our bed with fresh clean sheets for the first time since leaving Mobile. As we snuggle in, we hear the shrimp munching on our hull. They make the weirdest sound inside our cabin. It's a good thing we are accustomed to weird hull sounds which started back up on the Inland Waterway where it was the carp that munched on our hull!

Jean & Ray, Dave & Beth Sharing a little Group Therapy

Jean & Beth on the three-wheelers

Heading out for a cruise around the neighborhood

We'd hoped to take Ray and Jean out for a sail but they were off on their own adventure to the theme parks in Orlando. They'll also take a trip to St. Augustine to visit high school friend Wayne Barbour and his family. Ray will golf with Wayne, and Jean will visit with Wayne's family. It's so cool that old high school friends make the effort to see one another when we can!

Ray & Jean at Epcot Center
Photo by Jean Santos

The Dock Master at the Municipal Marina allowed us to stay in our slip all day so Dave took the time to call marinas south of us in search of a place to leave Mystic while we visit Minnesota and New York City for the month of May. He finds that most don't have room and those that do are too expensive. We decide to call Anclote Harbor Marina back in Tarpon Springs. They offer us slip #9 at an awesome rate. We highly recommend this spot to our cruising friends. The folks are friendly and it's close to downtown Tarpon Springs and the Sponge Docks. Just be sure to call ahead. They only have 25 slips!

Dave finding Solutions in Clearwater Beach

I have no words!

Anchor in hand pointing out to the Gulf 

Clearwater Beach Pier

Clearwater Beach

With our plans settled, we decided to walk to Clearwater Beach. It's so beautiful; we see why Jean and Ray love it here. We swam in the Gulf to cool off then took showers at one of the many shower stations along the beach. We returned to Mystic and prepared to move to an anchorage in Mandalay Bay. We have to go back under the Rt. 60 Clearwater Beach Bridge, head north a little then slowly move through the channel to the bay. Motor boats fly by us in the narrow channel. Suddenly two boats come up behind us at high speed then both cut their engine. Apparently they had different ideas on who had the right of way resulting in one boater chasing the other down. They yelled at each other and postured with flailing arms but finally each went their separate way. It got pretty intense for a bit but we were impressed that neither one resorted to cursing! They just kept telling each other, "NO, I HAD THE RIGHT OF WAY!"

Capt'n Flipper

Welcome Aboard

Lunch Time!

Calypso Queen

The Jaws Boat

Clearwater Beach

White Sugar Sand Doesn't get hot!

Umbrella City

Lifeguard Station

Turtles mark the showers

Showers This Way

Wet Slide

Dave on the Clearwater Pier 

Clearwater Beach

We will anchor at Mandalay Bay for a couple days before returning to Tarpon Springs. For the first time since September, this feels and looks like vacation!