Holidays are Over

Christmas is over. Karen, Hannah and I drove back to Dunedin Florida without incident. The weather down here is better than when we left with temperatures in the high 70’s to mid 80’s. I know Hannah’s loving it but Karen and I are just as happy. Dunedin seems like a place I could live one day. Marker One marina has been great and almost everything other than a West Marine are within a short walk or a short bike ride away. 
Karen's Sister Kelly gave us this Great Gift

Sisters are tired after Christmas Day.
Hannah joined Karen and Kelly

Sam gave us a Iowa Hawkeye Boat Fender. Unfortunately
we could not show it during the TaxSlayer Bowl Game.



The other day the three of us sailed the dinghy over to Honeymoon and Caledesi Island. It was a nice leisurely sail over to the islands and while enjoying ourselves beach coaming and birdwatching the wind died prompting the use of manual rowing to make it back to Last Mango before dusk. While rowing back Hannah got to see her first dolphin, unfortunately it was a bit further away than we’d like.

Beautiful Day for a Sail

Hannah's Happy to be here with us and not in Frozen Iowa

Homes along the Waterway

































The three of us spent the day in Clearwater much of it on the beach. It was a great day for the beach with temperatures in the 80’s and full sunshine. Incredibly none of us got sun burned. Clearwater seems very nice but  the popularity makes the traffic is the worst I’ve seen here in Florida, and that’s saying a lot. The day at the beach ended with dinner on Frenchy’s Outpost beach deck. 
View of the Cut between Honeymoon
and Caledesi Islands

Wonderful Warm Water

Karen and Hannah Looking for Shells

Caladesi Island is the accessed by boat only

Hannah's Beach Find










































Karen and I installed the new whisker pole and
are looking forward to using it as soon as we can. I have a few more boat chores to do before we can start sailing south again. This week will be filled with some boat chores, a short trip to Disney World and a trip to visit with Karen’s parents on the east coast of Florida.
Great Sunset Over Caladesi Island

Hard to Believe I built this in the Firehouse.


Another Beautiful Sunset



Day by day we are watching our boat friends sail away to destinations south of here. When we leave next week I think we’ll be one of the last Looper boats to leave northwest coast of Florida, which is not a bad thing since the weather has been so great. Once again I know it’s about time to leave since I know several short cuts to move around Dunedin and Clearwater.

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