Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Useppa Summer Cruise


A low black sky slowly but steadily marched off the mainland. Lightning induced thunder boomed in the distance.  Wind rose to straighten flags and pennants as rain began to pelt the decks.  Hugh waves rolled... - not -  Eagle's Wings was sheltered comfortably and securely at Useppa's marina. . It was Happy Hour on the dock but a wet walk to the Collier Inn for dinner!

Isles Yacht Club boats (seventeen in all) along with some from the Bradenton Yacht Club filled the marina for the End of Summer Cruise.  The happy bunch of cruisers traded sea stories and enjoyed the activities planned by Cruise Leaders, Erica and Judi.  Lucious margaritas were provided to us at Docktail Happy Hour and freshly baked muffins were delivered to us the next morning.  The afternoon was spent listening to live tropical music by the pool and partaking of a Pig Roast.  Yum!!   Later that evening we gathered on the dock for a BBQ/Pot Luck and Larry Stewart seranaded us with his bagpipes as we watched the gorgeous sunset.   What an awesome weekend!

Standby....











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We departed early Sunday morning and caught the edge of a rain shower coming up over Pine Island to the South.  The Chartplotter pictures (above) show the radar returns in dark orange overlaid on the chart. See the return from the rain off Pine Island (Bokeelia). The rain brought wind to briefly increase our boat speed.  But a moderation of our summer temperatures lasted all day making for a pleasant ride home. 


2009 Cruise with PGSC