Where are we? At the Regatta Pointe Marina located off the historic district of Palmetto on the north shore of the Manatee River, across from Bradenton, in the lower Tampa Bay area, on the west coast of Florida. The marina is building new bathrooms, a laundry room and an exercise room (completion Mar '08). We get a free paper and bag of ice everyday, and have pump-outs at each slip. Within walking distance are restaurants, stores, and the laundromat. Our needs are met, but life isn't as social here as at Watergate Yachting Center in Texas. There we had grass right off the dock, and picnic shelters with grills. After work, and over the weekends, neighboring boat folks would gather to cook their supper and eat together.
The holiday spirit takes a slightly different form here. Last Tuesday, a large powerboat owner put a blow-up Frosty on the very top deck of his boat. As it was during the day, he decided not to inflate it, but the wind did, partially. Frosty was bent over mooning everyone in the marina for the day! Unfortunately, Jenny was unable to document the event before the owner returned from work to inflate the snowman permanently for the season. Please note the photo of Santa in the sleigh with flamingo reindeer...yes, it's a different holiday season in Florida.
