"A" Dockers

Monday, February 4 - Wednesday, February 20, 2013

Irish Attitude pulled out of Clearwater Beach Municipal Marina in search of a rare breed of humans known affectionately as "A" Dockers. Mike and I have been anticipating this 'season' for a long time. It's a time when our friends from our home port, Liberty Harbor, in Bay City, MI migrate to Florida's west coast to escape the snow and cold. We have yearned to join them the last few years, listening to their stories, seeing the pictures, generally just being envious! Now our time has arrived!

Maderia Beach Municipal Marina was the closest we could get to Jill and Stewart (A14) and Sharron and Ron (formerly A4) condo's. There are not many marinas in this stretch of the ICW known as the 'narrows'.  It was close enough for us to ride our bikes over to their condos in North Redington Beach. They have a choice of a great pool or beach front on the gulf. We enjoyed a relaxin day at the 'Reef'. In the evenings we visited some of their favorite haunts.

Jill and Sharron

Tranquil setting

Just down the road to the south were two more couples, Tim (A9) and Renee, Mike and Judy. Renee brings out the gullible in me. The stunts she pulled! What a hoot!Their place was on the intracoastal side. Always something to see out there, boat traffic, dolphins and a little church that looked like a twitty bird! We discussed docking there but thought it may be to skinny when the tide went out.

Decorative Bridges

Church By The Sea





 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We invited the gang aboard the Irish Attitude as we traveled a further south to 'The Club at Treasure Island'. This marina's venue was new to me. It is considered a boating social club. More than just boat slips. Condos, tennis courts, exercise room, restaurant, a lap pool complete with bar and large tented 'cabana' areas plus a seated area with multiple propane fire pits, should it get chilly. Nice digs!



Motley Crew - Tim, Mike, Mike, Judy and Stewart

Jill, Stewart and Tim Aboard the Irish Attitude

Our good friends Sandy and Del (A6) arrived the next day. Sandy and I lounged around the pool soaking up some sun. The guys did not have much patience for that type of (in)activity. The A Dockers ended up together for dinner. We just went with the flow. JD's, American Legion, Woody's, The Hurricane (St. Pete's Beach)... every place was on the water but Woody's was probably our favorite. It was build near an inlet created by a 1928 hurricane, the sunsets were beautiful. We enjoy all the outdoor seating down in Florida. Del, Ronnie and Stewart all celebrate birthdays this month so we had a special meal at the Salt Rock Grill. Here's to many more!

Sunset at Woody's, a Florida Past Time

Renee and Tim

Catching Another Sunset - The Hurricane on St. Pete's Beach

Five Guys! Del, Ronnie and Stu,
All Celebrate Feb. Birthdays

LCR, an 'A Dock' Pass Time

The gang spent an afternoon aboard a casino cruise ship out of John's Pass. The nice meal, sunset and camaraderie eased the pain of our losses. It was great to visit with everyone again!

 

Filling out Forrest's Shoes at Bubba Gump's

Leaving Land Behind

Girls at Sea

Sunset

Safely Back in Port

On the 12th we motored further south on the ICW, towards the next "A" Docker. We crossed Tampa Bay, running along side of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. It was a hazy day and the pictures do not do this lengthy structure justice.

Skyway Bridge Crosses Tampa Bay

This 'Skeleton' is a Reminder to Stay in the Channel!

The  destination was Parrot Cove Marina in Bradenton. Advertised as an Old Florida marina, it was all that. They cater more to liveaboards rather than cruisers. The owner was very helpful as we dock.

Parrot Cove Marina in Cortez

We Found Gilligan!
(Watch for a reoccurring theme!)

Canal Homes on Longboat Key

Smaller Islands are Undeveloped

Mike and I road our bikes across the bridge to Longboat Key at Bradenton Beach Marina then headed north onto Anna Maria Island. A former co-worker of Mike's was renting a house on the island...what was the address again?? He knew Greg and Cindy's place was on a canal, well that narrowed it down, somewhat. Surprise, we managed to find them! What a cute place! It was a long ride but well worth the company!

This Cute Houseboat is for Rent!

The winds died down so we took off the next morning for Sarasota to find Bud, (A7). (Janie will catch up with us in Ft. Myers Beach when she is on vacation!) This is the only place in Florida that we had visited with our 27 ft. boat. We had thoughts of staying on a mooring ball near O'Leary Tiki Hut but opted to stay at a dock for our week stay at Marina Jack's. Sarasota is a great city with an artsy flair. Even the parking garage is aesthetically pleasing! Sunday, I walked downtown for an art and craft fair. Beautiful works but rather high-end prices.

Sarasota Skyline



Welcome to Marina Jack's!

V-J Day photo immortalized in another medium near waterfront in Sarasota.

I took another picture at night, from a different angle.

The details did not show until I changed the format to pencil.

 

Bud graciously drove us around on land to places only one with a car can access! Ah, the luxury! We ate at the Old Packing House (former celery packing). That night's special, the best burger I every had and only $5! We also went by the Mark and Linda's condo that Bud has helped to refurbish. One more quick stop; the boat supply/salvage yard. Even I could have spent hours there. Closer to the marina was Patrick's and The Sports Page. The latter was a Big Ten hangout and we caught parts of the men's b-ball tourney!

Couldn't Resist the Shamrock

Jill and Stewart visited us aboard. We toured the coastal islands on our dinghy. They introduced us to Nora and Billy, crew members aboard Determination. A 106 ft luxury motor yacht! Nice place to work! Later that afternoon a man called to me from the end of the dock. Surprise, it was Bob from Karma! He and Ivy had pulled in earlier when we were in the dinghy. Near Karma was another trawler on day two of the loop! We chatted with Marcia and Russ from Paper Moon recalling the first few days of our own adventure.

 

M/Y Determination

Dinghy Cruising, Much More Economical!

 

Another Motor Yacht

We were sorry to miss Don and Karen (formerly A1) at Marina Jack's but we had to get moving. Plans had been made to visit Sandy and Del in Punta Gorda on our way down Florida's west coast. Details on that stop coming up!

 

Peaceful Night