Dunedin and Marker One

We pulled through Clearwater Pass past hotels and beaches full of President’s Day vacationers and the ICW (Inter-Coastal Waterway). Marker One is north from Clearwater about 5 miles and to this tired sailor it seemed about 20 miles. Steve, the dock master, took us in, helped us tie up with our nose in so we could get the dingy down, and sent us to bed. We tried to make it to sunset but did not happen. We fixed a cocktail and sat down and Terry woke me up 15 minutes later and said he had fallen asleep too. Earlier in the day we tried to remember if we had ever pulled an all-nighter on purpose—couldn’t remember except maybe an overnight flight. Anyway we slept until 8am Tuesday morning refreshed and ready to start the next step. We mixed up some vinegar and water and wiped down the boat to get the salt crust off the railings. Met the fellow Loopers on the dock and all 3 boats are Tennesseans. Bart and Nina used to live next door to Andy and Mary in Knoxville and we knew them and their children about 15-20 years ago. Larry aboard a Tolleycraft went to high school with Fitz in Nashville. We joked about how we can’t get rowdy because you never know who knows you. These couples have been here a month and do not seem to be in any hurry to leave. It is pretty perfect here. This morning we did some laundry, walked to the nearby Publix, and took a dingy ride into town (Dunedin). It was so nice to get the dingy out and ride by all the fabulous houses into town –it took us about 10 minutes --by car it would have taken a half hour—no traffic. Had a wonderful lunch at one of our favorite restaurants – Café Alfresco and then took a walk around town where they are preparing for Spring Training. The Toronto Blue Rays are here in the winter and my favorite (only) baseball player R A Dickey’s picture is up all over the place.


Clearwater Pass



Me and R.A.



Pirate greeting on the ICW