Happy New Year!!

We went to bed early last night, as promised, and were both deep asleep when rolling waves of explosions brought us both awake with heart stopping effect.  We leapt out of bed and rushed onto the deck, to discover fireworks ushering in the New Year.  Once our hearts had settled down, and the cat too, we sat comfortably on the aft deck to enjoy the show.  So we got to see the New Year in after all!

Today was a travel day, with a plan to cross both Tampa Bay and Sarasota Bay before settling down at Otter Key.  The sun was shining, and it was finally warm enough for us to travel with the curtains open on the bridge, and not need sweaters or jackets.

There were many dolphin sightings, usually in the distance.  But then, there was a strange splashing sound beside us.  As we looked for the source, we saw this...

Finally, they came to play.  And play they did.  It looked like mom and baby, frolicking in our wake.  What a great way to start the year!

The Sunshine Bridge at the entrance to Tampa Bay proper is quite a sight from the water.4

We dropped anchor between Lido Key and Otter Key, with lovely homes on one side, and thick brush on the other.  It was a beautiful evening, and we dined on the bridge for the first time in several months.

 Today's miles:  66

Total miles:  1236