Sarasota and Marina Jack

After a night out in St. Pete Beach with dinner at a fabulous Italian restaurant –Gigi’s and another taste test of the Rum Runner (locals told us Post Card Inn had the best and theirs did get an A-). This morning, the clouds began to gather in Boca Ciega so we pull anchor and head south via the ICW. First we swing by Eckerd College where Katie graduated over 10 years ago and we have many fond memories from that time. After going through a draw bridge (open for a sailboat—not us) and viewing the awesome Sunshine Parkway suspension bridge we head out into the more open water. The color of the water has become emerald and so clear you can almost see the baskets submerged on the crab pots. After Bradenton we go through the skinny water with Anna Maria Island on one side and the mainland on the other. Sarasota is the home of Ringling Brothers Circus—you see the odd purple/pink buildings of their museum and offices on the skyline. The boats are just getting bigger and bigger. Around 2:30 we pull into Marina Jack in downtown Sarasota where we will moor on a ball out in the bay for the next few days. Notes: We are leaving our oldies station behind and found the Kickin Country of Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert and Brad Paisley. Lesson in life—never, ever drink 2 Rum Runners in a night, it may be Key West before that quest begins again.


Sunshine Parkway Suspension Bridge



Eckerd College



Big Boat and Sarasota



Marina Jack