Back at our home dock in Bradenton

June 5, 2012

On Tuesday June 5, we returned to our home dock at Twin Dolphin Marina in Bradenton, FL, completing our 6 month winter cruise! 

On Monday we made the 75 mile trip outside in the gulf from Boca Grande to Tampa Bay, anchoring at DeSoto Point in the lower Manatee River.  On Tuesday morning we made the 'long' 4 mile trip up the river to Twin Dolphin Marina where we refueled and put Barefoot back in her old slip.

The trip has been great and we are looking forward to next year.  Right  now we need to get the boat ready for summer (hurricane) season) and then get north to sell our house.

A few statistics from our trip:
       Miles:                             1298     
       Days:                               189
              Docked                       73  (including 54 at Harbour Cay Club, Marathon)    38%
                                                 19  (excluding HCC)                                                14%
       Fuel (gals)                         197
       Water Made (gals):           765
             

Areas visited (also see map at end):
     West Coast Florida:
             Pine Island Sound
             Ten Thousand Islands
     Florida Keys - Marathon
     Miami
     Northern Bahamas:
           Grand Bahama
            Abacos

Observations:

• We really didn't find that it was really much different than our 2-3 week trips over the last 20+ years, other than, obviously, it was longer.
• This year was intentionally fairly modest in terms of miles traveled, and it was a relatively easy first year out as planned. 
• A surprise was that I (Tom) didn't get as much boat work or cleaning done as I expected.  I thought that would be lots of time to work on projects and keep the boat in sparkling condition.  In reality, the demands (and pleasures) of day-to-day life while you are cruising don't seem to leave that much extra time.  Additionally, when you are anchored or moored, electricity and water are at a premium,  making projects requiring these assets prohibitive.  We will probably dock a bit more next year.
• We saw some great locations and met many very nice people. And can't wait to get out again next year.

Our rough plan for next year will be to leave a little earlier if possible and  volunteer at Cayo Costa State Park for around a month.  Then cross to the Bahamas after Thanksgiving and head to the far southern islands and work our way back north over the winter.  The early start is dependent on a quick sale of our house - anybody know of someone that needs a great house in a very nice neighborhood, let us know!

This will probably be our last blog until next fall - see you then!

Tom
Bradenton, FL
Map