Gulfport

We loved the anchorage at Redington Shores. Close to some of our favorite places and close to friends. It was a neat cove surrounded mostly by homes which afforded us some Christmas lights reflecting off the still water in the evenings. There were plenty of conveniences nearby including a bait and tackle shop that did not sell fishing licenses. The things that weren't close enough to walk to were still easily accessible via the trolley.
That kept us there another day. On Sunday afternoon we met up with Clifford and Heidi for dinner at a newly opened close establishment that they had not tried yet. We were all very pleased.
Linda is still contending with her annual sinus infection she gets as soon as we get here every year, so she left Ray to go meet with Angela and Daniel from "Teasa" on Monday as they finally found a weather window to cross the Gulf on Sunday night.
Ray took the dinghy to shore this morning to pick up some ice and bread at 7-11 before our departure. Again we were not in a hurry with a short travel day planned and the higher the tide got, the more comfortable we would be exiting the anchorage. At about quarter to ten we lifted anchor out of a very muddy bottom.  A little more than two hours later we reached our next first time anchorage at Gulfport, Florida. We have been to this small town on a few occassions by car, and were looking forward to embarking on it via water.

So close.

So far the extra perks have been that there is a new restaurant open since we were last here, there is a craft show going on, and the Met Life blimp has flown overhead. Ray's friend Scott rode his motorcycle down to join us for the afternoon.  "Teasa" should be here later on in the day also.

And yet so far away.