Patriot Dreams: December 7, 2014 - Finally a post for those who were wondering if we are still alive!

Time flies when you are having fun, and we are surely doing that! I know it has been ages since we have posted, so this will be an attempt to catch our loyal followers up on our adventures.

We flew home for the Thanksgiving holiday and, despite flu bug attacks, we loved our time with family and friends. We got our much-needed hugs and loving' from the grandkids, and took comfort in knowing that in just a short time we will be returning for Christmas celebration with them!

Our flights to and from Michigan were easy, and luckily we got a very short glimpse of the snow that had hammered them in the previous weeks. The day after we arrived the snow melted and provided an enjoyable, worry-free visit.

When we returned to Dunedin we were happy to find that several of the Looper friends with whom we had traveled earlier had made their way across the Gulf to "our marina". Thus, instead of leaving the day after our arrival back at the marina, we stayed for another two days. During that time, we enjoyed bike rides, card games, potlucks, and cocktails with the friends gathered there.

We left with Roger and Mary from TaTa on Thursday, December 4 and traveled across Tampa Bay to an anchorage near Anna Maria Island where we anchored and tied together for the night and took our dinghies to the nearby beach for a short walk. We returned to the boat for dinner and an evening of cards. The following day we pulled anchor and went to Anna Maria Island, stopped at Keyes Marina and took a walk to the beach, then went for burgers and a beer at Duffy's. After lunch we departed for our journey to Sarasota and a mooring ball at Marina Jack's.

We rented a car with Roger and Mary and drove to St. Petersburg to attend the boat show, and both confirmed that we loved our boats and couldn't find one we would rather have. After the boat show we went for a short visit to Looper friends Carey & Martha on Freedom, who were in a slip at the St. Petersburg City Marina. Fun day!

Today we hopped in the car and went to see the Ringling Museum and Art Gallery...a great experience that we all enjoyed. On the return trip we introduced Roger & Mary to Trader Joe's, one of our favorite places, and a real treat for us all.

Tonight we again gathered for dinner and cards and called it a night, knowing that we would both be leaving tomorrow for our next destination.

This part of the journey has once again been filled with many laughs, lasting memories, and great adventures! We have seen so much, made warm, lasting friendships, and continue to count our blessings every day!