...it must be Christmas

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It is early December and despite the tropical weather, palm trees and wearing shorts every day, the signs of Christmas are everywhere.

US Thanksgiving was last week - it seems that Americans move right into Christmas and lump the 2 together as "the holiday season."

One of our highlights last week was chatting with an old tug boat captain who lives aboard his converted tug which was moored next to us in St. Petersburg. He had lived on the same street as Marlene when she was growing up in Sault St. Marie and remembered stopping in at the lighthouse on Michipicoten Island in the early '50s when they were there

We are scouting out a suitable (affordable) marina to leave Gust O'Wind over Christmas as we drive back to Canada to celebrate Christmas with Kim, James, Luke, family and friends. There are a couple of marinas not too far from where our car is stored - we still have 10 or so days to get it done.

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Photos

municipal marina
this marina is located right downtown - very convenient for getting around St. Petersburg

cq
the tug behind us in St. Petersburg belongs to the old skipper who used to haul barges around the Great Lakes

the Pier
popular tourist attraction poking out into Tampa Bay from St. Petersburg

sunken gardens
beautiful Sunken Gardens a short bus ride from the St. Petersburg marina

poinsetta tree
Christmas is coming...

Bradenton sunrise
at anchor in the Manatee River

De Soto anchorage
preparing to go hiking in the De Soto State Park near Bradenton

De Soto park
Marlene meets a local native....

Venice park dock
always on the lookout for a good deal, we found this free dock in Venice right beside the swank Venice Yacht Club

early Christmas
a group of boaters from nearby Punta Gorda decorated their boats for a Christmas celebration at this marina near Cape Haze

money tree
a political comment included with this Christmas boat

lit up
try doing this at an anchorage!

ghost town
Cape Haze Marina - of about 40 completed units we saw only 2 occupied - in a pinch we could probably slip in here and nobody would notice us for a week.

Comments

[Penelope Jayne]

Were jealous
Sounds like a great trip and that you are enjoying it. Marlene I didn't know that you were from the Sault. I have a best friend that was a school principal there until he retired, by the name of Laird Cowel. Would you know him?

[Anne]

Merry Christmas
Dear Marlene and Ian, I find your travel blog just fascinating. I love the pics and anecdotes. So incredible about the tug boat knowing your family when you were at the lighthouse Marlene. Good luck finding mooring and happy trails north. xo's Anne

[Lin Mutiger]

Christmas Invite
Hi there, wonderful pictures! You should publish your blog - it would be good reading with all your experiences and the interesting people that you have met along the way. Would you like to join us for Christmas Dinner! Be lovely to see you. LIN

[Bill and Audrey]

been there
Hey Ian and Marlene..we had lunch at that pier in St Petes..on the upper deck..had to fight the gulls for the food...sound like you are enjoying the west coast..love the pix....we hope to get away mid Jan...keep in touch and safe sailing....Bill.

[Karen]

Beautiful
Merry Christmas to you both! It looks as though all your wishes have come true! Great health, happiness and lots of love! Karen