It had been several years since we last cruised around Tampa Bay. Earlier this week, we had the opportunity to get back out on the water. We set sail from Harborage Marina, just south of downtown St. Pete, on a beautiful summer afternoon.
The day was hot, sunny, and absolutely perfect for boating. With the sparkling waters of Tampa Bay stretching out around us, it was easy to settle into that relaxed feeling that only a day on the water can bring.
The highlight of the afternoon came when several dolphins appeared alongside the boat. They seemed to be having just as much fun as we were, playing in the water and riding the wake right at the bow. Watching them glide through the waves just feet away was one of those unexpected moments that makes a day on the bay unforgettable.
Thanks to my SIL, we got a close-up look at a dolphin! 🐬
Being back in St. Pete also brought back memories from another time on the water.
Back in 2005, we anchored in the Vinoy Basin while on our way to New Orleans. We had planned to spend some time cruising the area, but our plans quickly changed when the generator broke down. What initially felt like an annoying mechanical problem turned out to be a blessing in disguise. We stayed in Florida until the following summer.
That August, New Orleans was devastated by Category 5 Hurricane Katrina. Looking back, we're incredibly grateful that we never made it there. What seemed like an unfortunate setback at the time may have kept us exactly where we needed to be.
We still have the nautical charts from that planned cruise. Every time we see them, we're reminded of how differently things can unfold—and how sometimes, the things that seem to go wrong can lead to a much better outcome than we ever could have imagined.
St Pete skyline, with mooring balls at the Vinoy Basin
Sadly, the iconic inverted-pyramid pier we remembered from earlier visits is no longer there—it was demolished in 2015. The waterfront has changed over the years, but there are still plenty of familiar sights and new discoveries along the way.
We never get tired of the creativity—and sheer playfulness—people put into naming their boats. Some names make you chuckle, while others make you stop and admire the cleverness. In Boston, we loved a catamaran called Cats Aweigh, whose dinghy was cleverly named Mouse Play. You have to appreciate a boat owner with a sense of humor! In Beaufort, South Carolina, we passed a sailboat called She Got the House every day. It was loaded with a bicycle, a motorcycle, and all sorts of fun toys. Every time we saw it, we laughed. Clearly, someone had lost an argument—and gained a very well-equipped sailboat!
As we made our way back to Harborage Marina, a few boats caught our attention. Their names were simply too good not to photograph and share!
Our friends' Fountaine Pajot catamaran was called One Love
Our latest cruise around St. Pete’s waterfront was a much happier chapter. Beautiful views, warm sunshine, playful dolphins, and a few moments of reflection made for a memorable day on Tampa Bay.
After being away for so long, it was great to be back. And if this trip is any indication, we’re already looking forward to our next adventure on the water.
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not much of a theme park person. But when a sibling came to visit with a 14-year-old in tow, the question quickly became: where could we take them that everyone would enjoy? Busch Gardens Tampa Bay immediately came to mind.
While it may not be as massive or elaborate as the Disney parks in Orlando, Busch Gardens has plenty of its own charm and the bonus of being much closer to home. The park offers a unique mix of thrilling roller coasters and memorable animal encounters, making it a great option for a group with different interests. Since none of us had visited before, it felt like the perfect place to explore together.
Located in Tampa, Florida, Busch Gardens is a thrill-seeker’s paradise, featuring adrenaline-pumping rides like SheiKra and Cheetah Hunt. Looking to cool off? Congo Rapids offers a fun, splash-filled adventure—so be sure to bring a towel or a change of clothes! With attractions for all ages, Busch Gardens is the perfect destination for both adventure lovers and families looking for fun.
Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is home to more than 12,000 animals, including kangaroos, flamingos, giraffes, zebras, and rhinos, just to name a few. One of the park’s highlights is the iconic Serengeti Plain, where guests can observe wildlife roaming across expansive, naturalistic habitats. Safari tours, up-close animal encounters, and a relaxing Skyride with bird’s-eye views of grazing animals highlight the park’s strong commitment to conservation and education.
Yep, penguins in sunny Florida!
Families will appreciate kid-friendly attractions like Sesame Street Safari of Fun, along with live shows, seasonal events, and a variety of dining options. Whether you’re planning a Florida vacation or a day trip, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay offers an ideal mix of excitement, education, and entertainment.
Kids had a blast feeding the colorful Lorikeets
and shows at Sesame Street
We visited twice between Thanksgiving and New Year’s, and the holiday season was especially magical. The festive lights were spectacular, with a truly amazing light show at the Serengeti Overlook 😲🦁
We chose the Silver annual pass, and it turned out to be an excellent value. Complimentary parking and four guest tickets (two per quarter) helped the savings add up quickly—especially since holiday parking alone can cost $40. The Skyride is $5 per guest, and even with multiple visits, it took us three trips to experience everything the park has to offer. Overall, Busch Gardens Tampa Bay is an excellent option for repeat visits or travelers looking to maximize their time and budget.
Have you been to Busch Gardens? We’d love to hear about your favorite rides, animal encounters, or tips for making the most of a visit!
After nearly 25 years of cruising and living aboard our boat, our logbook is pack with memories. Some come rushing back with the sight of boats at anchor or a glowing sunset. In our last post, we shared a few of those treasured experiences. Here’s another that still brings a smile and reminds us just how grateful we are for this life afloat.
Manatees and Sunsets at Marathon Key, Florida
One February, we docked at Marathon Marina, just before the iconic Seven
Mile Bridge. While it doesn't have the buzz of Key West, Marathon has its own quiet charm
— great restaurants, reliable boatyards, and a friendly, laid-back cruising
community. Many cruisers stop here, waiting for a good weather window to cross
to the Bahamas or Central America. It's also an easy hop to Key West and nearby
islands.
During our stay, we tackled a few boat projects: added a second anchor and installed a Weaver davit system for the dinghy. But what we remember most from that stop are the sunsets… and the manatees.
Each evening, rain or shine, cruisers gathered on the docks with drinks in hand to watch the sky erupt in brilliant oranges, pinks, and purples. It wasn’t just a sunset — it was a shared ritual that brought everyone together.
And then there were the manatees.
One afternoon, while doing dishes, we felt a gentle bump against the hull. Curious, we stepped outside and spotted a manatee sipping from our sink drain! After that, we’d leave the water running just a bit — and sure enough, they’d return for another drink. Watching these peaceful giants float beside our boat was pure joy.
It’s these small, unexpected moments — the quiet rituals and wild encounters — that make life on the water unforgettable.
Stormy Skies Over Yorktown, Virginia
While docked at Tidewater
Yacht Marina in Portsmouth, we met new sailing friends aboard Kalaha and
cruised together up the York River to historic Yorktown. We anchored near
the bridge and took our dinghies ashore to explore the battlefield.
The day started out sunny and calm—but by afternoon, a
storm was rolling in fast. Waves were already building as we scrambled to relaunch the
dinghy. Battling the wind and chop, we pushed off the beach with all our
strength. We made it back, drenched —along with our brand-new cell phone, which
had been tucked in one of our pockets.
Back aboard, the
wind picked up quickly. Just to be safe, the captain let out all 250 feet of
anchor line. Thanks to that extra scope, we rode out the storm safely and
comfortably. Later, Kalaha radioed to report they had clocked the wind speed at 43
knots (47.3 mph). Wild!
When in doubt, let out more scope.
Mai Thai, anchored near the bridge, rode out the storm safely
Sweet Surprise at Shackleford Banks, Beaufort, N. Carolina
Visiting Cape Lookout had long
been on our boating bucket list—but the weather had other plans. After a
bumpy night at anchor, we decided to skip the lighthouse tour and head back
toward Beaufort in search of calmer waters.
After we cleared the Beaufort Inlet, we started scouting for a safe place
to drop the hook. That’s when we discovered Shackleford Banks—apparently a favorite with
local boaters. Small boats dotted the shoreline, beached in the soft sand. We
found a peaceful spot away from the crowd, dropped anchor, and settled in.
Mai Thai (far back, left) joining in the fun
Gorgeous sunset at Shackleford Banks
The rest of the day was spent people-watching and exploring. As the tide receded, sand patches appeared like little islands. We dinghied over and found several beautiful shells (whelks) — though we chose just one, as a special keepsake to mark our anniversary. The next morning brought an even sweeter
surprise: a group of wild horses strolling along the beach, passing a grounded
boat like it was part of the scenery. We watched in awe from the cockpit,
sipping our coffee.
What began as a detour turned into one of our
favorite boating memories. And sometimes the best moments are the ones you never planned.
Dolphins at Hilton Head, South Carolina
One April, we
stopped at Hilton Head and anchored in peaceful Shelter Cove. Kayakers drifted by throughout the day, and the calm surroundings gave us the perfect few days of rest.
Then one evening, just before sunset, we heard a loud splash.
We rushed outside to see what it was—and to our
delight, a pod of dolphins had arrived. They were swimming close to shore,
herding a school of fish into the shallows. We stood there, completely
mesmerized, watching them stir the water as they worked together to feed.
It felt like a front-row seat to nature’s
private show—no ticket required. Ain’t that nice?
When hurricane season rolled around, we needed a safe harbor to hunker down —and Daytona Beach fit the bill. We ended up staying there for about three months. We rarely ventured outside after dark. That changed one evening when we were invited to a potluck dinner at the marina lounge. As always, these gatherings were a great way to meet new cruising friends and swap tips on places to eat and explore. The evening was full of laughter, stories, and good food. We would run into these cruisers again and again as we navigated up and down the Eastern seaboard.
Potluck at the boaters' lounge
But the real story started after the
potluck. Walking back along the wooden dock in the dark,
we heard something strange: a crunch with every step. We slowed down and
glanced at our feet.
Roaches. Dozens of them. Everywhere. It was, without question, the grossest thing we’ve ever experienced on a dock. We practically tiptoed the rest of the way, trying not to think about it.
Back on the boat, our unease turned into paranoia: Could they climb aboard? We didn't see any. But just as we were settling into bed, I spotted something moving across the floor. I
let out a scream so loud my husband called it a "Memorex moment." The roach froze. I didn’t. I
sent him straight to Walmart—at midnight—for bug spray and a bomb.
The next morning, we took the boat across the
Halifax River, anchored out, set off the bug bomb, dinghied ashore and spent the entire day outside. They had used the dock lines to get aboard, so we treated them with bug spray.
Let’s just say, it’s one cruising memory we’ll never forget—and we will stay away from wooden docks, if we can help it.
Dragging Anchor at Cocoa
Beach, Florida
We have a simple rule when anchoring: once the hook is set, we
stay aboard for at least 30 minutes to make sure it’s holding. It’s a simple precaution we abided by.
But not this day.
After several days on the move, we dropped anchor near Cocoa Beach. As we
went through our usual anchoring routine, we noticed a lot happening on
shore—music, people, a lively, beach-town buzz. It looked too fun to miss… so
we broke our rule.
We left Mai
Thai and went ashore to explore. And it was worth it—Cocoa Beach was charming and full of energy. After a couple of hours, we were ready to go back to the boat.
Cocoa Beach anchorage
When we glanced back at the anchorage, Mai Thai was in a different spot. She’d
dragged, and was dangerously close to other boats. Adrenaline kicked in. We ran, jumped in the dinghy, fired it up and raced
back to the boat. One of us tied off the dinghy, the other climbed aboard, unlocked the door and started the engines. We got the boat moved and reset
anchor just in time.
Lesson learned: never break your anchoring rules. They exist for a reason.
Sailing Zebulon – Newport, R.I. to Solomons, Md
While cruising the Chesapeake Bay the summer of 2001, we got a call from new sailing friends who needed an extra hand moving their 47' Catalina, Zebulon, from Newport, Rhode Island to Solomons, Maryland. We jumped at the chance—Newport is one of our favorite ports, and we had planned to spend the summer there. That’s why Mai Thai carries Newport as her hailing port.
The five-day trip was cold, fast, and unforgettable.
One of the most memorable moments came as we navigated the East River through New York City. We hit the current just right at Hell Gate, and Zebulon surged to 12.4 knots—a record for her. We were the only pleasure boat in sight, the river ahead wide open, and the view of FDR Drive—bumper-to-bumper with cars—felt surreal from the water.
Just before sunset, we reached the city. The Manhattan skyline, aglow in golden light, and the Statue of Liberty silhouetted against the horizon—it was breathtaking. We were busy snapping photos when a small Coast Guard patrol boat appeared, lights flashing.
We’d unknowingly entered a secured harbor—closed to recreational vessels from sunset to sunrise due to post-9/11 restrictions. Thankfully, we were near the Verrazzano Bridge, and after explaining, they allowed us to continue.
It was a powerful reminder that boating brings freedom, beauty, and plenty of surprises.
Exploring the South: Fun, Friends, and Finally Moving On
We spent 18 years tied up just outside Chattanooga, Tennessee—specifically in a rural town called Guild (population: around 500, last we checked). It might seem like an unlikely place to stay so long, and no, it wasn’t because of the marina—which, truth be told, was the worst marina we’ve ever stayed at.
What kept us there was everything around it: the beautiful stretch of the Tennessee River known as Nickajack Lake, the surrounding mountains, and the easy drive to the tri-cities of Atlanta, Chattanooga and Nashville. But most of all, it was the people—the warm, tight-knit community of boaters who made those early years unforgettable.
That first decade was a blast—filled with laughter, potlucks, impromptu dock parties, and a floating neighborhood full of good friends. But like all things, it changed. Over time, many moved on, sold their boats, or relocated to better marinas. Slowly, the community we loved began to fade.
We miss those days and the people who made them special. But we’re incredibly grateful for the memories—and even more glad to finally be outtathere.
Our legendary potluck dinners and parties, thanks to Glenda and Steve
Dockside vows, fishing tales, Fort Pierce, Florida
We spent a couple of months at Fort Pierce City Marina, just a short drive from our friend’s condo. The marina sits near the Fort Pierce Inlet, where strong currents sweep through, bringing with them a variety of marine life... including sharks!
Fishing is a big deal here. Local tournaments are common, and plenty of nearby restaurants will even cook your catch for you. On any given day, you can spot sheepshead and other fish swimming alongside the boat, making it feel like you’re docked in your own private aquarium.
Our neighbor reeled this one.
During our stay, we met all sorts of interesting people—including John Houghtaling, the inventor of Magic Fingers (yes, the famous vibrating motel beds). He was living aboard Magic Fingers, his Bluewater yacht.
John
A retired eye doctor and his teacher fiancée invited us to their barefoot (literally) wedding. On the dock.
The wedding party
Here comes the bride; one of the birds is a ring bearer
These two pictures of Madeira Beach were taken on a nice summer day in July when we took a walk on the beach to see the turtle nests.
A walk on Madeira Beach in July
to see the turtle nest
This next picture was taken a few days after Hurricane Helene passed through. Not only were homes flooded, the storm surge had pushed an incredible amount of sand onto homes, hotel parking lots and over to the streets! For weeks, the county worked on shoveling, cleaning and sifting those sand before moving them back to the beach.
All that sand sat in the beach parking lot at Madeira Beach
Last week, I was in the St Pete area, and drove along Gulf Blvd, from the southern end at Pass-A-Grille Beach to the northern end at Belleair. I was saddened to see the widespread devastation and the erosion of the area's pride and joy - the beautiful beaches along the Gulf of Mexico.
map of the Pinellas County beaches
Stuff from flooded homes lined the street at Passe-A-Grille
Three weeks after the duo hurricanes, I was walking the neighborhood in Belleair and was shocked to see several boats sunken or grounded on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) at the Belleair Causeway Boat Ramp. Guess what is the boat name?
Did the captain try to run here from Hurricane Milton?
And the boat name is ... drum roll ,,, Ain't Right. No kidding!
A couple days ago, we took a walk on Indian Rocks beach. This is one of our favorite beaches; it's closest to us and there are lots of parking spaces. Look what the hurricanes have done to it.
Part of the boardwalk to beach was blown apart
Rebuilding continues
Shorebirds are happy
Indian Rocks Beach in July.
Many beaches are opened except for Sunset Beach (Treasure Island), Madeira Beach, and many county beaches and state parks. Click here to find out the current conditions of the gulf beaches.
The sun is shining. The beaches are being re-nourished and beautified. Businesses are re-opening. Y'all come visit!
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