A perfect day for a cruise - Day 80 - St Petersburg to Sarasota, FL

Wednesday, we awoke to another beautiful day; sunny skies, 50 degrees and light winds.  As planned, my friend, Ron Markovits, who had decided to co-captain with me on the trip to Sarasota, arrived at 10:00 AM.  The plan for today involved Diana driving Ron's car back to Sarasota while Ron, Kodi and I piloted the boat to Sarasota.

Historical Note: Ron and I retired on the March 31, 2010 from The Warranty Group.  We were the Company's first retirees under its present ownership status, which resulted when Aon sold the company to Onyx corporation (a Canadian investment banking firm).  Ron retired as Chief Legal Officer.  His career spanned 38 years, the same as my own.

Ron gave Diana a quick orientation on the route and how to use the GPS and off she went.  We walked back to the boat and by 10:30 we were on our way.

Tampa Bay was essentially flat allowing us to travel at 28 MPH and very quickly we crossed under the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. 

From there we intersected with the intracoastal waterway and traversed Anna Maria Sound and Sarasota Bay arriving at Marina Jack at 12:25 PM.

Historical Note: David Cole, CEO of The Warranty Group and I flew down to Sarasota in August 2008 to inspect a 2007 48 Sundancer that he was considering.  The 48 was located at Marina Jack.  David and I took the boat for a sea trial on Sarasota Bay following which David contracted to buy it.  We were sitting in the bar at the Marina Jack restaurant when he negotiated the deal.

Marina Jack as views from the harbor entrance

We topped off the tanks taking on 110.8 gallons at $3.15 per gallon (plus tax).  Ron departed and we adjourned to the outdoor restaurant at the marina for a lunch. 

Guided Discovery in view while we had lunch

We opted to stay for 7 days and got a weekly rate of $540 or $77.14 per day.  A good deal, especially at a top knotch facility in haute saison.  Top knotch includes concrete floating docks, a first class restaurant and a beautiful park for Kodi.  Added to that is its perfect location just outside of the business district, which is loaded with shops, restaurants, theatres, an opera and a Whole Foods (hurrah).

Main Street

Main Street

Sarasota Opera House

Bijou Cafe

I ended the day with a 7 mile bike ride south into the high rent district.  The houses, many located on the water, were spectacular.  The photo below does not capture the full story.  This house had a tennis court just to the right and a coach house.  Also not pictured are the two AMG Mercedes; a E55 and a M55.

Ron's recommendation of Barnacle Bill for dinner was spot on and a fitting end for another spectacular day.

Written by Les.