Our last month in Indian Rocks Beach

Mahuffer's Dive Bar

On a Mission from God

A little crooning at JD's

Another pic of Mahuffers 

One of our last nights 

Beautiful full moon

Just about sums it up!

I think I found something to
do with my shell collection!

Chillin'!

Rockin' at JD's

Capt Mike in his fav spot!

The last time I posted we were getting ready to head to Joplin for a visit.  We had a great time!  We left on July 12 and made it back to NautiNell on August 3. Just over three weeks!  It still was a whirlwind.  It never seems we have enough time when we’re there.  We wanted to get back the first week of August so we could move up to Dunedin where we had a reservation.  That’s another story I’ll get to it later.  First, it was the last trip home for the Silver Bullet.  It did a great job but it now has 277,000 miles on it!  So we decided to find us a “newer” car for the drive back.  We’re now the proud owners of a snazzy little 2010 HHR and the Silver Bullet has a new home.  Thank you Craigslist!

Anyway, we made it back to NautiNell on August 3.  For at over a week it rained and rained.   So much for sunny Florida.  We really can’t complain because that was that slow moving convection that caused so much damage from flooding in Louisiana.  We have friends there that have families who have lost everything.  They’re still in our prayers as they try to clean up and piece their lives back together.

The last few weeks haven’t been the best for us.   First, like I mentioned earlier, we planned to leave IRB the first week of August.  However, even though the Dockmaster knew this he still ran our credit card through on the 4^th for the total month.  He refused to credit it back and prorate our days!  We’ve never had that type of situation anywhere before with any other marina.  So that meant we paid for the month of August whether we stayed there or not!  BTW, he had no problem prorating our days for the ten days in June when we arrived!  So we made the best of it and enjoyed another month in IRB. 

It also seemed that every day or so, there was new project.  Either it’s the boat, the whaler, the car or the scooters!  One thing after another. Nothing really serious, but it’s been a pain in the butt!  But don’t worry, we still have found time to enjoy ourselves.  Our motto is now “don’t let those bastards get you down”!  LOL!  

On an up note, we have had several showings of NautiNell.  We have shown it here in IRB at least 8-10 times!  No offers yet, but we know it only takes one!  I know we’re going to miss this life but I think we’re really ready to start another adventure!  Whatever it may be!

While we were spending our days in IRB for the month of August, we still managed to hit a few Happy Hours, etc.  One afternoon we drove to Clearwater while they showed the boat.  We had lunch at the Brown Boxer Pub.  We loved it!  Can’t wait to get back there again.  We also went the opposite direction a different afternoon and spent some time in John’s Pass – Madeira Beach.  That time we had lunch at Shrimpy Blues Bistro on Treasure Island.  It was a funky little place!  Oh and of course, we didn’t miss Saturday Steak Night at the American Legion.  The best steaks we’ve had here in Florida for a long time!

J D’s Restaurant and Lounge became one of our regular hangouts.  The patio usually has great music and food is always good.  On Wednesday nights inside there is a piano bar with a totally different crowd and atmosphere.  Lots of ol’ crooners!  However, it’s also $1.00 hamburger night!  Can’t miss that!

We finally made plans to leave for Dunedin on Friday, August 26 because we wanted to be settled in up there before the rains from Invest 99 develop later this next week.  However, someone wanted to show the boat so we stayed one more day.

Finally, we headed out to Dunedin on Saturday morning, August 27.  It’s only a 12 mile boat ride!  That, I think, is our record!  It seemed we no more than got to moving that we were there!  It took about 1 1/2 hours.  We move slowly.  So we were in our slip at Marker 1 Marina in Dunedin by about noon!  Good thing too.  Within just a couple of hours the storms began brewing.  Luckily most of them missed us this time.

This morning (Sunday) we caught the Jolly Trolley that goes to IRB so we could pick up our car.  That can always be an experience!  We had to transfer trolleys three times but it all went pretty smooth.  The trolley stop is just a block from where we left the car.  We had lunch at PJ Oyster Bar before we headed back to the boat.

Now we’re looking forward to spending some time in Dunedin.  We should be here for the month of September and at least part of October.  We’ve been here before a few times just to visit.  The first time was in 2011 when we crossed the Gulf to Clearwater while on the Loop.  That time we took the trolley to Dunedin and Tarpon Springs from Clearwater to check it all out.  We’ve been by car a couple of times since.  We’re looking forward to really getting to know this little Scottish town.   We also plan to visit Tarpon Springs again.  We love the sponge docks!

Stay tuned!

Till next time

Admiral “C”