Tarpon Springs

Entering Tarpon Springs on the Anclote River

Shrimp boat approaching in the fog in a narrow channel GPS worked! This mark indicates a dredged cut in the shoal to enter the river

We were delayed leaving Clearwater due to AM fog. Even with radar and GPS it can be a challenge due to other vessels that go too fast for the conditions. We were headed to Tarpon Springs which is 22 miles away, north on the ICW and then up the Anclote River. Since the weather was perfect we elected to go out Clearwater Pass into the Gulf. This is much easier than negotiating the ICW which has become shallow in spots. AS we turned up the Anclote River I noted a fog bank rolling in off the Gulf. I turned on the Navigation lights and the Radar just in time for the visibility to be reduced to 500 feet. I noted a few green blobs on the radar approaching, I blew our horn as required by the rules of the road and there appeared two large shrimp boats headed out to sea. We passed safely in a tight channel. The fog lifted as quickly as it had rolled in.

Clearwater Yacht Club

Clearwater Yacht Club

A Pirate Ship departing Clearwater Beach

We traveled from SPYC to Clearwater Beach to stay at the Clearwater Yacht Club. This club only has a few transient slips so if we are in Clearwater we usually stay at the Municipal Marina about 1 mile away. Since this was a Tuesday night we were able to obtain a slip. Nice club, with emphasis on sailing and racing. The club was hosting over 100 Lasers (small sailboats for one person) from all over the country. While there a member saw Island Hopper's hailing port of Cincinnati and introduced himself. He was also from Cincy, and happened to be an attorney. Jerry Harris by name. He spends the winter in FL and enjoys helping with the regattas at CYC.

After checking out the beach and the town by bicycle the crew had a nice meal at CYC.

St Petersburg February 20-21

Fog in the AM delayed our departures

Leaving SPYC

After two nights with the SPYC cruising club we departed on Sunday afternoon after a bike ride around Davis Island and downtown Tampa. The captain pointed the bow of Island Hopper towards St Petersburg and the docks of SPYC. Only 20 miles down the bay so we took it easy at 9 knots on a beautiful sunny day. WE enjoyed two nights at SPYC taking in the new Dali museum and the Chilhuly collection as well as good biking and eating. dinner the first night at SPYC followed by a pub called the Moon under Water, great curry dishes surprisingly.

Cruising in 2011

Our Cruise to Tampa with the SPYC cruising Group

M/V Island Hopper secure at the dock Had to wait for a larger vessel to dock. I like the help needed.

Cruise ship entering the channel just below our marina, a daunting sight. Debbie with her new Panama Hat from Ybor City We took the Trolley from the marina to Ybor City in Tampa This vessel transports yachts to far away destinations. She sinks to allow the yachts to sail in and then she refloats. The yachts and their Captains end up in foreign ports for about $1000 per foot of length. So Island Hopper could end up in the Med for about $55,000. We found a nearby dog park on Tampa Bay. Salt water and all

. We have been remiss in posting this year of our travels on Island Hopper. Several cruises in between cold fronts to Captiva Island and St Petersburg Yacht Club. We had to shorten a trip that we had planned to make to Naples due to high winds and anther cold front in January. February is turning out to be a great month for weather. We traveled to Tampa (Marjorie Park Marina) with 12 boats from the SPYC cruising group. beautiful weather and a great venue. We traveled from Longboat Key to Tampa on Friday 49 miles and 4 hours up Tampa Bay after crossing Sarasota Bay. Beautiful day so we cruised at 9 knots and a bit at 20 so I could arrive early enough for a conference call at 4PM.

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.