DECEMBER 8-15: ANNA MARIA ISLAND TO SANIBEL

December 8:  Anna Maria Island: We left St. Petersburg on a windy,overcast day.  Seas were a moderate chop but we do not have too far to go today so it was not too uncomfortable.  We decided to stop at Anna Maria Island to visit with fellow Loopers, Ed and Cindy ten Haaf who we met on the rivers.  They own a home on the island.  Anna Maria Island is connected via bridges and causeways to Long Boat Key and Sarasota. 

We also met up with Beth and Dean on Kismet at the Galati Yacht basin.  Ed and Cindy were kind enough to lend us their car so that we can take a side trip to Sarasota tomorrow.  After an enjoyable dinner with everyone, we tucked in for the night.

December 9:  Sarasota:  An early start allowed us to play tourists in Sarasota for most of the day.  Another  really clean, enjoyable city with plentiful arts and cultural activities.

Downtown Sarasota

Colorful murals on a Whole Foods store.

We visited a guide dog facility and interacted with this cute pup who was being trained.

The Captain enjoying some good french bread at a side walk cafe.
After some marine and grocery shopping, we returned to Anna Maria Island to join Cindy and Ed for the island's annual Christmas Holiday open house.  All the restaurants and stores serve food and drinks to celebrate the holidays.  It was a great evening and we enjoyed participating in this local community activity.  There is a palpable sense of community on this island.  We may have to add it to the list of possible retirement places...that list is getting longer every time we stop somewhere in Florida!

December 10-11:  Venice:  Next stop Venice.  This trip is beginning to feel as if we are in Europe!

Traveling down the Gulf Intercoastal Waterway...it gets shallow.  This sailboat did not have the right tide tables or depth sounder.

These fisherman were just outside the channel a few feet from us.

This angler was standing on a shoal in the middle of the water.

Other fishers taking a break on a sandbar.

The Gulf Intercoastal Waterway passes under a large number of bridges.  Many are high enough for us to go under but sometimes we  have to request an opening like this bascule bridge that was too low.

A few examples of the waterfront homes along the way.

We bicycled into Venice for a much needed sushi fix and checked out the artsy town.  Not on the retirement list though.

December 12-13:  A very low tide caused us to leave Venice late so we opted for a short ride to a quiet anchorage in well sheltered spot in Cape Haze.  Dinner on board and star viewing on this clear night finished out the day.

Our next stop was Pelican Bay which is part of the Caya Costa State Park.  Here we are at anchor.  It was a bit tricky entering the bay as there are two shoals on either side of the entrance.  At low tide it only has about 5 feet.  We eased our way in slowly and only hit 4.4 feet once but the depth alarm did not go off and it became progressively deeper further in.

This is a delightful State Park.  The welcome sign invites visitors to enjoy the "real Florida" in its unspoiled state.  This is a large island and the park service has an open transport to take visitors across the island to the Gulf side which has spectacular beaches.

The Admiral enjoying the beach with lots of sun cream and sun protection clothes.

The beaches are covered with shells and shell collecting is encouraged.

December 14-16:  Sanibel Island:  After waiting for the tide to rise, we slowly made our way out of Pelican Bay and headed to Sanibel Island.  We stayed at the Sanibel Marina which is at the southern tip of the  Island.  Nice, clean marina.  They provide newspapers and muffins every morning as well as courtesy bikes.

Here is the rear...I mean Rear Admiral biking into town in search of a lunch spot.

I don't think that I would even try!!

After a long bike ride to the Gulf side of the island, we found the restaurant of our choice closed so it was another long ride back to town.  By this time, Peter's tongue was hanging out.

The Captain finally happy after having some sustenance.

The entrance to the marina.  Red right returning.