Date: February 4, 2014
Day on the Cruise: 228
From: Gulfport Municipal Marina, Gulfport, Florida
To: Twin Dolphins Marina, Bradenton, FL
Statute Miles: 27.5 SM
Time: 3.0 Hrs
Cumulative Miles: 5,709.7 SM
On Board: Susan, Chuck, Maggie, Trooper, Peanut
Tonight we are at Twin Dolphins Marina in Bradenton, FL.
Today was a short trip. We were in no hurry to leave Gulfport before the fog lifted, knowing that we had to cross the wide expanse of Tampa Bay and its ship traffic. So, we languished a bit at the dock and made sure that Mr. P. had not returned (which he had not). Good news.
The plan was to leave at 10:00 after seeing the sun come out and burn the fog off. At 9;30, I turned on radios and electronics and was covered up with Coast Guard chatter about a jumper from the huge Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay. They were in the process of dispatching "assets" from the local law enforcement agencies, and the Coast Guard had closed the Port of Tampa. We also learned that the visibility on the Bay was very low due to fog. Our route across Tampa Bay would be through a channel that paralleled the Skyway Bridge, but that did not go under it.
We got underway knowing that we had maybe an hour or more until we got to the Bay and the bridge, so we felt OK that we could make some time before we got into the search activities. Our first route had to be abandoned as we got to a bridge that we could not get under. We then had to get back into the ICW and go through several other bridges out to the Skyway. All the search chatter was taking place on the Coast Guard's channel 22A, so we kept abreast of the progress while we cruised. The jumper was located about an hour after we left the dock, and he did not make it, unfortunately.
"Free at Last" and "Attitude Adjuster" cruised behind us yesterday and then got caught in the fog. They anchored North of Treasure Island and never made it to the Marina, but both were off early this morning, and they were just behind us. We cruised to the Skyway then turned South and followed the channel to Tampa Bay. By this time, the sun was out and it was a beautiful morning. The Bay was very flat and gave us a good ride.
At one point I heard what sounded liked slapping on the water. Maggie then began to bark and we looked back and had quite a Dolphin show alongside the boat. This was a first for us, but a pod of Dolphins chased our boat and jumped in the wake both alongside the boat and in back of us. It was so cool!
After crossing the ship channel, we set a course for Red Buoy 2 at the mouth of the Manatee River that goes into Bradenton. At 12:18, "Sun Gypsy" and "Blue Moon" reached Red 2 and "Sun Gypsy" crossed her wake with Rick and Leila on board. They have now officially finished their Great Loop Trip. Of course they broke out their Gold Burgee that signifies completing the Great Loop. We took some pictures for them and of them, then we parted ways as they were taking Sun Gypsy to the dock in front of their home, and we were continuing on to Twin Dolphin Marina in downtown Bradenton, FL.
It was sad to part ways. We had traveled together, following each other, since last October when we joined up with them on the Tennessee River at Guntersville, AL. Good times for sure!
We got to the marina in good shape and found our slip. This is a very nice facility, right downtown in old Bradenton.
Tonight we caught up with my cousin Dick and his wife Elizabeth, who live near Bradenton. They came over to the boat and then we ate dinner at Pier 22 right at the Marina. We sat outside and really enjoyed the food and the company. Thanks Dick and Elizabeth for coming out to see us!
Tomorrow we will stay in Bradenton. Rick and Leila will have a "Crossing Party" at their place, and we will attend along with other Loopers. "Free at Last" arrived and docked next to us this afternoon, and they will go also.
We are happy to be here in Bradenton! We are planning to cross our wake on Monday at Captiva Island, FL. Stay tuned
Thanks for Reading!
Tonight we are at Twin Dolphins Marina in Bradenton, FL.
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| Bradenton, FL |
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| On the Manatee River South of Tampa Bay |
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| At the Marina in Downtown Bradenton |
Today was a short trip. We were in no hurry to leave Gulfport before the fog lifted, knowing that we had to cross the wide expanse of Tampa Bay and its ship traffic. So, we languished a bit at the dock and made sure that Mr. P. had not returned (which he had not). Good news.
The plan was to leave at 10:00 after seeing the sun come out and burn the fog off. At 9;30, I turned on radios and electronics and was covered up with Coast Guard chatter about a jumper from the huge Sunshine Skyway Bridge across Tampa Bay. They were in the process of dispatching "assets" from the local law enforcement agencies, and the Coast Guard had closed the Port of Tampa. We also learned that the visibility on the Bay was very low due to fog. Our route across Tampa Bay would be through a channel that paralleled the Skyway Bridge, but that did not go under it.
We got underway knowing that we had maybe an hour or more until we got to the Bay and the bridge, so we felt OK that we could make some time before we got into the search activities. Our first route had to be abandoned as we got to a bridge that we could not get under. We then had to get back into the ICW and go through several other bridges out to the Skyway. All the search chatter was taking place on the Coast Guard's channel 22A, so we kept abreast of the progress while we cruised. The jumper was located about an hour after we left the dock, and he did not make it, unfortunately.
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| Last day on the Great Loop for Sun Gypsy |
"Free at Last" and "Attitude Adjuster" cruised behind us yesterday and then got caught in the fog. They anchored North of Treasure Island and never made it to the Marina, but both were off early this morning, and they were just behind us. We cruised to the Skyway then turned South and followed the channel to Tampa Bay. By this time, the sun was out and it was a beautiful morning. The Bay was very flat and gave us a good ride.
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| In the ICW Approaching the Bayway Bridge |
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| Heading to Tampa Bay |
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| Cruising in Tampa Bay this Morning |
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| Sunshine Skyway Bridge |
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| Sunshine Skyway Bridge |
At one point I heard what sounded liked slapping on the water. Maggie then began to bark and we looked back and had quite a Dolphin show alongside the boat. This was a first for us, but a pod of Dolphins chased our boat and jumped in the wake both alongside the boat and in back of us. It was so cool!
 |
| Susan got a Picture of a Dolphin Jumping Alongside our Boat |
After crossing the ship channel, we set a course for Red Buoy 2 at the mouth of the Manatee River that goes into Bradenton. At 12:18, "Sun Gypsy" and "Blue Moon" reached Red 2 and "Sun Gypsy" crossed her wake with Rick and Leila on board. They have now officially finished their Great Loop Trip. Of course they broke out their Gold Burgee that signifies completing the Great Loop. We took some pictures for them and of them, then we parted ways as they were taking Sun Gypsy to the dock in front of their home, and we were continuing on to Twin Dolphin Marina in downtown Bradenton, FL.
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| "Sun Gypsy" Rounds Red Buoy 2 and Crosses Her Wake, Completing the Great Loop! |
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| "Sun Gypsy" has completed the GReat Loop! |
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| Rick and Leila with their Gold Burgee |
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| Rick and Leila with their Gold Burgee |
It was sad to part ways. We had traveled together, following each other, since last October when we joined up with them on the Tennessee River at Guntersville, AL. Good times for sure!
We got to the marina in good shape and found our slip. This is a very nice facility, right downtown in old Bradenton.
Tonight we caught up with my cousin Dick and his wife Elizabeth, who live near Bradenton. They came over to the boat and then we ate dinner at Pier 22 right at the Marina. We sat outside and really enjoyed the food and the company. Thanks Dick and Elizabeth for coming out to see us!
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| Dinner with Dick and Elizabeth |
Tomorrow we will stay in Bradenton. Rick and Leila will have a "Crossing Party" at their place, and we will attend along with other Loopers. "Free at Last" arrived and docked next to us this afternoon, and they will go also.
We are happy to be here in Bradenton! We are planning to cross our wake on Monday at Captiva Island, FL. Stay tuned
Thanks for Reading!
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