MERRY CHRISTMAS 2010

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE FROM THE CREW OF M/V ISLAND HOPPER

POST THANKSGIVING CRUISE

The Pass a Grille Clubhouse of SPYC

Holiday Inn Indian Rocks Beach HOME CLUB ST PETE YC

SALVATORE DALI MUSEUM

DON CESAR HOTEL ST PETE BEACH

The Captain has been remiss in completing the blog of the journey's of M/V Island Hopper in the fall. After visiting Boca Grande, the crew took a break on land before departing for the St. Pete Yacht Club and points north. After Thanksgiving with cousin Chip who lives in Tampa, IH departed for SPYC on Saturday November 27. After enjoying the sights of St Pete including the new Dali Museum, IH headed north to Indian Rocks Beach to visit longtime friends Nancy and Gordon Obarski. A good marina was located on the ICW operated by the Holiday Inn. http://hiharbourside.com/ The crew bicycled to the Obarski's who live on the beach about 1/2 mile away. After catching up and enjoying a few adult beverages, IH headed south the next morning to the Pass a Grille clubhouse of SPYC, located near the Don Cesar Hotel on St Pete Beach. http://www.loewshotels.com/en/Don-CeSar-Beach-Resort The crew enjoyed bicycling and taking in the sights. After an evening at the YC, IH headed back to home port, Longboat Key Marina.

BOCA GRANDE MARINA

NOVEMBER 23-24, 2010

Island Hopper at the dock

Banyon Street, guess why the name?

note the crew on the bicycle

The lighthouse on the south end of the island on the Pass

The lighthouse mid island on the Gulf Boca Grande Marina

The crew of Island Hopper have been remiss in not posting to the Blog two recent trips. The first voyage was to Boca Grande Marina. http://www.bocagrandemarina.net/ Our friends from Cincinnati, John and Pam Payne live here in the winter so a trip was scheduled to check out their new home. Boca Grande and Gasparilla Island is a great destination. Nice restaurants, beautiful beaches, great cycle paths, and very beautiful homes make for a fun time. Two light houses also grace the island. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boca_Grande,_Florida After two nights of visiting with the Payne's the crew headed back to home port in Longboat Key Marina to celebrate Thanksgiving with cousins in Tampa.