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Day 68-69. May 29-30 On to Sarasota and on to our home. Miles.46.6/29.4 Total Miles1312.1/1341.5

 Day 68


We left at sunrise to head north crossing  Boca Grande Pass and Gasparilla Sound to where the Gulf Intracoastal narrows as we head for Sarasota.

Along the way, the dolphins continue to play and jump in our wake, providing us with entertainment. 

As we continue north, we pass through Lemon Bay and Englewood, Venice with its "ditch" and colorful inlet, and then  we enter Sarasota with its numerous bays - Little Sarasota and Roberts Bays.



As we exited Roberts Bay we cruised past Sarasota Pass and turned into the mooring field at Marina Jack's.  We settled in and took a deep breath.  Glad to have a bit of a break from super long days- just had a long travel day today.



Tis very warm so we decided late afternoon that we would walk downtown and "cool off" in an air conditioned restaurant.   

Not a very exciting day as we make tracks for home.


Day 69       May 30         Going home              

Woke to a cloudy and breezy morning, heading across Big Sarasota Bay.  Not much boat traffic with us on the water today as we past by the downtown Sarasota.    Leaving the bay we continue behind Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island, passing the towns of Cortez and Bradenton Beach.  At the end of the route we zig zag north, leaving Manatee County by passing through the Bulkheads, a narrow channel that leads you into Tampa Bay.

Crossing Tampa Bay we avoided a rainstorm.  We watched it pass in front of us as we headed north and east in the Bay.  Also luckily avoided and freighters on the Bay this morning.



We then entered the narrow channel that parallels the Skyway Bridge approach and turned west towards the Pinellas Bridge.  Just before the bridge we turned off  entered the canal that runs behind our house.We felt part relief to be home and part sadness to have our trip end.

Pulling into our slip, we tied up our boat, Crustacean, and give her a much deserved rest.  She served us well.

Now we get to unload the boat and resettle into our home.  Crustacean deserves a good bath and scrubbing but that will have to wait for another day.

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