Aquamarina Palm Harbour Marina in Cape Haze, Florida

Day #188: Up at 6:30 A.M. for coffee, mini muffins, honey bell oranges and maple cookies. Mike and I walked to Publix for a few groceries and back to the marina for a total of  4 miles. Upon returning to the marina Mike worked on installing a stand-alone depth meter while I headed up to the flying bridge to do some cleaning. The dinghy was launched and at 12:30 P.M. Mike and I headed out for a dinghy adventure heading towards Stump Pass State Park. The weather was beautiful sunny and 82 degrees. The Gulf of Mexico was flat so we ventured out into the gulf waters. The two of us did some exploring of an inlet that had condos with boat docks hoists so that the boats were out of the water. As we continued we found a canal with boats tied to seawalls of homes along the canal. Mike and I decided to head back to the marina for a pitstop before continuing on with their adventure as we were heading back the two of us encountered Jan and David in their dinghy as they had been out exploring as well. We stopped at "Parrot Bay" for a quick stop at 2:30 P.M. at that time they had traveled 9.4 miles in the dinghy. On their way out of the channel at Aquamarina we saw Ed and Kyle out in their dinghy. Mike and I headed south exploring the intercoastal waterway past where they would turn off to head to Don Pedro State Park. We headed toward Punta Gorda turning around at the swing bridge that leads to Punta Gorda. The two of us returned back to Aquamarina at 4:40 P.M. after traveling 18.3 miles total for the day in the dinghy. After dinner it was time for blogging and reading. Tonight Mike and I will be watching the College Football National Championship #1 Alabama versus #2 Clemson.

Mike checking out the handheld GPS.

Lots of these caution signs for seagrass areas just outside of the Intercoastal Waterway.

Mike spotted a mother dolphin and baby dolphin.

The dolphins were camera shy today but I was able to catch a fin.

White and brown pelicans enjoying the beautiful weather. 

Stump Pass State Park lots of boats anchored and dolphins swimming.

Mike and I ventured out into the Gulf of Mexico. 

Mike and I at the first green buoy into the Gulf looking back at Stump Pass State Park.
 

                                                                             

Stump Pass State Park were Mike and Patty look for shark teeth and the beginning of the condos complexes on Manasota Key.

                                                                                   

One of Mike and my favorite tour boats Lemon Bay Tours was out on a sightseeing tour. 

Oops that doesn't belong there!

Me enjoying my dinghy ride. 

Boca Grande Swing Bridge.

Bridge from Gasparilla.

Aquamarina Palm Harbour Marina in Cape Haze, Florida

Day #187: From last evening Mike and I started watching the movie The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Up at 6:00 A.M. 2 loads of laundry started. Much cooler in the mid 50's and sunny today. We had coffee, honey bell orange, poppy seed muffins and cookies. After laundry, paperwork and boat jobs we completed a 4 mile walk accomplishing a few errands to the hardware, post office and Publix. It was then time to get ready to head to the pool. I made up at meat and cheese tray in preparation for Optimystique's Gold Looper party. At 3:00 P.M. Jan, David, Ed, Kyle, Bruce, Bev, Mike and I enjoyed a toast to Jan and David for crossing their wake a few weeks ago in Bradenton, Florida. All shared 4 bottles of champagne and snacks under the cabana. All were in agreement that one of the best parts of this trip are the friends that you make along the way. Lots of experiences were shared amongst friends.  At 6:00 P.M. it was time to head back to the boats for the evening. After cleaning up the boat it was time for Sunday night family phone calls, blogging and reading on "Parrot Bay".

Optimystique's Gold Looper Party: Mike, Patty,  David, Jan , Ed, Kyle, Bruce and Bev at the cabana at Aquamarina Palm Harbour.

Aquamarina Palm Harbour Marina in Cape Haze, Florida

Day #186: From last evening Mike and I finished The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring. Up at 6:30 A.M. for coffee, grapefruit, cookies and poppy seed muffins (yes, they are back Publix starting making them again after Christmas). Partly sunny and cooler this morning as a front went through last evening producing 15 minutes of rain. At 8:15 A.M. we were heading out in the dinghy to Don Pedro State Park. We were the first people on the dock at the park. After putting all of their beach gear on the beach we both headed to do some shelling and shark teeth hunting.  The winds were picking up leading to 2-3 foot rollers hitting the beach. Large black clouds moved in making it a bit chilly on the beach with the sun occasionally peaking and the winds continued to increase. At 1:30 P.M. Mike and I headed back to the marina taking their time to prevent getting wet as there were waves in the intercoastal waterway. Ed and Kyle dropped off grapefruit, oranges and a "coconut patty" from their excursion to Arcadia, Florida with Kyle's mom and dad. The sun came out with only a few clouds so happy hour was on the flying bridge as long as we were out of the wind it was pleasant. I made sloppy joes for dinner. After dinner clean up it was time for reading and blogging.

                                                                                     

                                                      Waves at Don Pedro State Park. 

White Ibis in the cove near Don Pedro State Park. This is the largest group of birds so far at Don Pedro State Park. 

This helicopter was taking pictures of boats traveling on the intercoastal waterway. (Boatpix.com).

Kyle and Ed brought honey bell oranges (these are in season and can only be found in Florida), grapefruit and a "Coconut Patty" for me.

Aquamarina Palm Harbour Marina in Cape Haze, Florida

We have been Looping for Six Months:

Miles Traveled: 2,488 miles

Total Travel Days: 44

Total Gallons of Diesel Used: 770

Location for the Nights: Marinas: 178 Anchorages: 6 Free Dock: 1

Miles Walked Total: 374.34

Games of Cribbage Total: 110 (Mike wins: 56 (8 skunk) Patty: 54 (9 skunks)

Books Read: Mike: 14 Patty: 10

Day #185: From last evening Mike and I started watching The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring Up at 6:30 A.M. for coffee, grapefruit and gourmet cinnamon roll. Haze, foggy but warm we decided to stay on the boat versus going to the island. Paperwork was completed followed by a walk to ACE Hardware and Publix. When the sun did pop out it was very warm and humid. At 10:30 A.M. Mike and I headed to the pool area to read books. After lunch it was back to the pool area.  It was partly cloudy, Mike went in to the pool and hot tub. Patty finished her book. At 3:30 P.M. Bruce, Bev and Dianne (Bev's sister) came to the pool. Clouds rolled in with the threat of rain late afternoon. Mike ran over to the service department to get a few packages that had been delivered. After it was time for blogging and reading. Dinner was onboard "Parrot Bay". Spent time to get ready to spend the day at Don Pedro State Park on Saturday.

Aquamarina Palm Harbour Marina in Cape Haze, Florida

Day #184: From last evening Mike and I finished watching The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies.  Up at 6:30 A.M. for coffee, grapefruit and Publix gourmet cinnamon roll (We love these and are going to miss them when we start moving again). At 8:10 A.M. Mike and I were pulling away from "Parrot Bay" in the dinghy heading for Don Pedro State Park. The shelling and shark teeth were awesome today on the beach. At 12:00 we returned to the boat with all of their treasures. Sunny, 82 and humid today so the pool was next on the agenda. While I were at the beach a manatee returned to the marina basin. As Mike and I were headed to the pool another large dolphin returned to the marina basin behind "Parrot Bay" chasing fish it was awesome and something that we never tire of seeing. Bruce and Bev came to the pool for a bit as they were waiting for Bev's sister and brother-in-law to come to the marina. David, Jan and family from "Optimystique" came to the pool for a bit. Ed and Kyle showed up for awhile enjoying the pool. Time for quiet time on "Parrot Bay" for the evening reading possibly time to start the Lord of the Rings series.

2018 Loop Completion Stats (from America's Great Loop Cruiser's Association):
130 boats crossed their wake for the first time!
9 boats crossed their wake a second time!
544 members listed themselves as "in progress" on the Great Loop

Aquamarina Palm Harbour Marina in Cape Haze, Florida

Day #183: HAPPY 16TH BIRTHDAY (to our nephew) ANTHONY!

Up at 6:00 A.M. for coffee, grapefruit and cookies. Mike and I headed to the Charlotte County Tax Collector at 8:00 A.M. The two of us decided that it was the right thing to do to get "Parrot Bay" registered in Florida as she is going to be in Florida well over the 90 day limit. We were very lucky as we got the same lady that had talked to us in December when we tried to register the boat so it went much quicker today. After leaving the tax collector office Mike and I headed to Publix to get a few groceries. After putting away the groceries we went to the pool for the afternoon. It was sunny and 82 degrees. It was an afternoon of frolicking in the pool and reading poolside. After dinner clean up it was time for computer/paperwork.
Afterward paperwork it was time to FaceTime with Mom Burdo, Dad Burdo, Kris, Andy, Maria, Alessia, Anthony and Maria for Anthony's birthday party. Afterwards it was quiet time on the "Parrot Bay".

                                                                                

Mike and I obtained their "Florida Sojourner's Permit" so now they will be legal after being in                                                                 Florida after 90 days. 

                                                                                    

Mike and Bev enjoying the pool today.

Happy Birthday to Anthony!!!! Mike and I got to meet Anthony's new friend Alessia

Aquamarina Palm Harbour Marina in Cape Haze, Florida

Day #182: New Year's Day! Up at 6:00 A.M. for coffee, grapefruit and cookies. At 8:30 A.M. Mike and I headed to Englewood Beach for some beach combing.  After lunch it was time to go to the pool.  Mike and I were invited to join Ed and Kyle from "It's OK 2" at their table. Mike and I were introduced to Kyle's parents Paul and Margaret. At 1:00 P.M. Jeff our dock mate had a party at the cabana with food while watching the 2019 Winter Classic, the Boston Bruins versus Chicago Blackhawks at Notre Dame Stadium. At 3:15 "Optimystique" arrived at Aquamarina Palm Harbour. Mike, Bruce and Ed helped David and Jan to get their boat into the slip. After Bruce, Bev, David, Jan, Mike and I headed to the pool until 5:00 P.M. when the no-see-ums appeared. All headed back to their boats. Quiet time aboard "Parrot Bay" watching college football bowl games: The Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl.

This morning not just one little blue heron enjoying the pool there were two enjoying the pool.

Patty enjoying a beautiful sunny Florida day.

Dolphin in the marina basin. The dolphin was very large. 

Dolphin hunting for fish. 

Dolphin play.

Ed, Paul, Kyle and Margaret (Kyle's parents).

"Optimystique" arriving at Aquamarina.