Wednesday, February 5: A Party to Celebrate Wake Crossing for "Sun Gypsy"

Date:                           February 5, 2014

Day on the Cruise:      229

From:                         Twin Dolphins Marina, Bradenton, FL

To:                             Twin Dolphins Marina, Bradenton, FL

Statute Miles:              0.0 SM

Time:                           0.0 Hrs

Cumulative Miles:        5,709.7 SM

On Board:                   Susan, Chuck, Maggie, Trooper, Peanut

We are still in Bradenton, FL tonight at Twin Dolphins Marina. It was overcast and cool today. Very un-Florida like!

At 1:30, Rick picked Susan and I and Meredith and Steve from "Free at Last" up at the Marina and took us to their home in Palmetto, just a few blocks from where we are staying. They live on a canal and keep "Sun Gypsy" at a dock right behind their house. 

This is the "Sun Gypsy". Traveled a lot of miles with Rick and Leila with this reliable Grand Banks trawler!

We met a bunch of other Loopers who had come for the party and to celebrate Rick and Leila's completion of the Great Loop. Attending the affair were Charlie and AL from "Always Five O'Clock". They had driven down from their home in Madeira Beach, FL. We met Bob and Kathy again from "Harmony". They are in Sarasota. Ken and Ann from Nokomis, FL came. Their boat is wintering in Brewerton, NY. Pax and Margaret were there. They have a Mainship just like ours. Bob and Monique on "Q's Cabin" attended. We met them at Norfolk last year and ran into them a couple of times during the trip. They live in Holmes Beach, FL. We met "Osprey" who has completed the Loop. He lives in Oregon and is riding a bicycle cross country back home starting next week! We also met Dan and Sissy, neighbors of Rick and Leila, who are from Youngstown, OH. He and I had a lot in common as he is sells infrastructure products and knows many of the same construction people in Ohio that I have run across.

The party was a lot of fun. We consumed some Champaign and had some good food and relived some memories. I think Rick and Leila were pleased with the turnout.

We gather at "Sun Gypsy" to taost the completion of the Loop.

Rick and Leila and their son Mathew and his wife Jenny

Congrats on completing the Loop and getting the Gold Burgee!

Congrats on completing the Loop!

Party scene

Margaret, Bob, and Monique

Party scene

Susan, Janet, and Steve

Party scene

Charlie from "Always Five O'Clock" and Bob from "Harmony". 

Tomorrow we stay in Bradenton. The weather is still supposed to be puny, but we will do a little exploring.

"Blue Moon" will cross her wake on Monday at Captiva Island. The end of OUR Loop is in sight!

Thanks for Reading.