Family at Pier 77 Marina, Bradenton, FL

Notice how flat and calm the water was due to the fog.

Today we had a VERY leisurely cruise (5.5 knots) from Sarasota to Pier 77 for the night. We woke up to very dense fog that started to burn off around 10 am. As we got closer to Tampa Bay, we could see the fog getting thicker. 

Another bird drying his wings

This is the John and Mable Ringling house that we visited yesterday, as seen from the water.

You can see the fog sitting over Tampa Bay in this picture.

This guy was fly fishing just outside of the channel and
I could see the bottom of the waterway under us.


Some egrets were sitting on a sandbar right next to the channel.

I don’t know what this is, but it looks like fun!

The closer we got to Tampa Bay, the thicker the fog was.  The Coast Guard kept coming on the marine radio saying that Tampa Bay was closed due to the fog and no visibility.  I guess if they can close a river, they can close an entire bay. 🤷‍♀️ 

Tampa Bay


We made it to our slip with no problems

After we docked, Fred and I set off for the restaurant to have lunch.  On the way, we saw a mother manatee and her calf in one of the empty boat slips!  Such amazing animals


Make sure you check out my video. It’s not often you get to see a real manatee. Manatee mother and calf, Pier 77, Bradenton, Florida

Then we saw one of the restaurant employees harvesting oysters
for some of their dishes. Now that’s fresh!

Then a couple of pelicans came by


Don’t forget!  Sometimes you need to look up to see a shark.

We had made plans to join up with my brothers this week for a couple of days. My brothers, Mike and Brick, along with their significant others and friends, were stuck in their anchorage in the Manatee River (right off of Tampa Bay) due to the fog. Of course, fog means no wind, so their sailboat had to motor to Pier 77 to meet up with us once the fog lifted enough.

Mike and Brick finally arrive at Pier 77



Of course, there was a beautiful sunset

Everyone came to our boat for dinner because we have more room to spread out.  
We had a wonderful dinner and a wonderful time with family and friends.



And apparently, my brother Brick and his wife, Anna Marie, went for a walk after dinner.
I just had to post this picture so you can see what a fun-loving person Brick is.  ðŸ˜† 

UPDATE:  Fred helped with a man overboard situation at this marina.  It was dark and the sail boater next to us went to step onto his sailboat from the dock, missed the deck and fell right into the water.  Fred ran over and helped the wife pull him out of the water.  There weren’t any ladders or any way for him to climb out.  He only had minor injuries and was very lucky.  

Fred had set his beer in the back of our boat on the floor so he could run over.  When I ran out to see what was going on, I didn’t see it and spilled it (this used to be a crisis in my father’s mind 😂).  Ah well, no use crying over spilled beer.  (I can hear many of our friends and family crying right now)

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