St. Petersburg to Twin Dolphin Marina/Bradenton
Today’s trip was to Bradenton. Rather windy and rough, we enjoyed the beauty of being out on the open water in the middle of Tampa Bay. We got an up close and personal view of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and then turned into the Manatee River, heading to Twin Dolphin.
Sunshine Skyway Bridge
Twin Dolphin is the home marina for our friends Dave and Penny, whom we met in Canada when they were on the Loop. With our interruptions, they continued and crossed their wake here a couple months ago. We had the chance to visit with them several times, including dinner at Pier 21, the marina restaurant, along with Ed and Kathy of Vitamin Sea. We continue traveling along the Florida coast with them.
Another highlight of the stay was the people who keep their boats on F Dock. Our next door neighbors were Dave and Julie. They own a sweet 41′ Tiara cruiser. Dave, a retired site contractor, and I enjoyed talking the life of subcontracting and how fortunate we were to have many good clients that were the difference in having a positive career, versus how many others struggled to survive. Everyone was so friendly, and as always, enamored by our adventure. Most of these folks are “stay home” boaters, using their boats as “floataminiums”. They are amazed how we pick up and go every day or two to another location. They’ve never tried it so they don’t realize how easy it is. Another couple, Ed and Cynthia, who own a huge Kadey Krogen. They have traveled extensively, especially in the Bahamas. They gave us a tour of their gorgeous 52’ ship and gave us lots of pointers and encouragement on how to do the Bahamas. It was great meeting all these fine folks. Truly, boaters such fun folks.
On Sunday, Becky, one of our neighbors, saw that we were going to walk to a church we had found on the internet. She graciously offered us a ride in her car, so we accepted. Bayside Church is modeled much like Compassion Christian. Multiple campuses spread over this whole area. Though I wasn’t crazy about the music, the sermon was spot on and the humility of the folks we met was so, well, humbling. It was good to be gathered with other believers in corporate worship. I have missed that as we often watch our services online, since we are hampered by the lack of transportation.
We said goodbye to Dave and Julie and Becky and Warren, our F Dock neighbors, Sunday afternoon. The morning we left, I felt like we had been welcomed to the neighborhood. Tomorrow morning, we continue southward to Sarasota.