Marker 1 Marina

Thursday, January 7 - We safely arrived at Marker 1 Marina in Dunedin last Saturday.  The cruise to Dunedin was only 14 miles and the bay waters were only moderately choppy.  We are getting better at following the markers and only got confused one time.  Just before the marina, we went under a drawbridge with a 24 foot clearance when closed.  Fortunately, LeeLoo's air draft is only 17 feet with the flagpole and the VHS antennas are deployed.  Most of the drawbridges have clearances when closed around 24 feet so we will be able to travel and not wait for bridges to open.

Marker 1 Marina is a small, but very nice marina.  The piers are fixed (rather than floating) and, as is common in Florida, the finger piers are short.  Nonetheless, we were able to dock LeeLoo bow in and we are able to easily get on and off her.   The laundry facilities are free here!  This is a first!  Our laundry prices per load have ranged from $1.00 a load to $2.50 a load.  Needless to say, Nancy will take advantage of the free washer and dryer!  Another nice amenity are very clean showers!  After traveling the rivers, one really appreciates marines with clean showers. 

                        LeeLoo safely docked at Marker 1 Marina for the month of January.

Last night we joined a dozen other Loopers for docktails.  We spent 2 hours socializing and eating!  It is a great way to gather information about experiences, boat maintenance, marinas and anchorages.  Loopers have a wealth of information to share.  Just say you are a Looper and you have instant friends.  Even the local residents want to talk to you as soon as they find out you are a "Looper".  

On Friday night, we plan to get together with Gold Loopers Jim and Connie Gillette (Patriot) and Ron and Jan Matuska (Adagio).  Patriot and Adagio are 32 Ft. Nordic Tugs similar to LeeLoo.  A Gold Looper earns this designation once they complete the Loop for the first time.  We look forward to seeing our friends and to catch up on our boating experiences. 

The weather has turned turned cool and the 80 degree days are gone for a while. We are now in the 60's and 70's.  We can't complain though - much better than Chicago weather!

                                       Scenes of Florida we never take for granted!