GLORY DAYS ON THE GREAT LOOP: GULFPORT TO BRADENTON BEACH

DAY 184, TUES. JAN 17, 2012

DEP. GULFPORT 09:45; ARR. BRADENTON BEACH MARINA (mm 87.2) 12:45

CLEAR, 70* WIND 5 -10 K

D. 20.42 SM / 3373.62

Since we are only going 20 miles there’s no need to get a really early start. Not only that, but we have reservations for a slip, so, no rush. It is a beautiful morning, clear, warm, and almost no wind. It feels really good to be under way again. We head southwest down Boca Ciega Bay and turn southeast just after Cat’s point where we enter a narrow canal with homes and docks to starboard. This is a shortcut and brings us to the narrow channel that runs south, parallel to the Sunshine Skyway Bridge, past Tarpon Key, and into Tampa Bay. We run alongside the bridge until we get to the ship channel and then turn southwest for the trip across the bay to the channel in Anna Maria Sound which we follow to the Cortez Bridge. Bradenton Beach Marina is just south of the bridge. The location is excellent. It is just a couple of short blocks from the town of Bradenton Beach which is just across the road from the Gulf. There are several restaurants, bars, and gift shops. There is also a free “trolley” that runs the entire length of Anna Maria Is. The trolley makes convenient stops at all the places of interest, including a big modern Publix market. This makes living easy for Loopers like us without cars. Unfortunately we missed our Looper friends Ed and Cindy ten Haaf on the Ka-Dee-Anna (they have a home here) as they were waiting in Carrabelle to cross the Gulf. We both loved Anna Maria and would like to return there.