Well here the day has come that we head into our home waters. As per usual on our trip the wind was on our nose so we weren't able to sail in, but seeing as that is the way the trip started its only fitting that that is the way it should end. As we cruised by the Skyway Bridge it really gave us a feeling of being home, then we could see the Don Cesar the big pink building looming on the horizon.Yes its true we are really home. I must say I was getting pretty excited when we turned into Blind Pass and saw our favorite watering hole Woody's. As we got nearer we could see our friends John and Shelby standing on the sea wall and waving, then John gets the crowd on the patio to clap for us as we go by.. We were astounded and felt tremendous.. We couldn't believe it what a amazing welcome home..We anchored the boat in the pass and went ashore. Bella was having a fit, we normally take her when we go ashore, but they don't allow dogs at Woody's so she couldn't go.. As we pulled up to the rocks so I could get out of the dingy, out John was waiting to give us a hand and hugs, then Shelby came up also. We walked in the bar and there were lots of our friends who we had missed seeing, hugs were shared around the bar and we felt  fabulous. You couldn't wipe the smile off  of our faces...It is so nice to see everyone.. Even the bartenders remembered our drinks. I was very impressed to hear how many people we reading our blog, I never knew so many people from Woody's were reading along. Just knowing so many of our family and friends have taken this adventure with us makes us feel terrific.. This journey has been a fantansic voyage, with all the people we were lucky enough to meet, all the friends who put us up, all the trials at sea, the family that came to see us while we pulled into different ports. Even in the times of terror when I though it was all over, or the times we broke down and had to stay in different ports for repairs this has been a trip of a lifetime with memories made, are our greatest gift... We will forever cherish this adventure and be thankful for all the people who took it with us and cared enough to find out where we were, what we were doing and that we were alright. Knowing all of you were with us made all the hard times so much easier and gave me someone to hear me when I wanted to scream out loud.Carl and I got along great on this trip ,not to say we didn't have our times, like docking, but all couples have that. Thank you very much all of you for staying with us the whole time.. We love you all each and everyone one...Thanks again...Heading to our home dock we had 10 knots of wind from the east and had all sails up. That is the fastest we have ever sailed from Woody's to John's Pass...Sailing under blue skies to  home.. As Carl told the John's Pass bridge tender, looking for an opening after being out to sea for 7 months headed in from the Gulf,.. Even the bridge tender welcomed us home..

It was a beautiful sail all the way to Anna Maria Island. The sun was shinning the water was calm and the winds were fair, and with both sails up we made it there in only 4 hours.  I took a shower on the boat since the weather was warm I could do it.. Only  the water pump has been acting up and it didn't flow very well, at least I don't smell anymore.We tied up to the Bradenton Pier which is now closed, we couldn't figure out why that was so we stayed there anyway. There was another sailboat there and we asked him what the deal was and he said he didn't know either and he had been at the dock 3 days and nobody had bothered him, so what the heck..Once we were ready to leave the boat we put Bella on a lease and went and got some ice cream, don't worry we know right where the store is..I must say we got so spoiled on our trip with the rich ice cream we had had all up north, this just wasn't as good. But don't think that stopped us from eating it. We sat on the free trolley bench ate our ice cream and  when the trolley came  I hopped on the trolley to go have a pedicure. Carl and Bella went back to the boat so Carl could get a shower and wait for me. I was in no rush , how wonderful it was to have a pedicure and don't my toes look great...I stopped at a Publix to get some cash and called Carl to tell him I was on my way  back, he said to met him at the open air bar on the corner. I did and we had a couple of drinks, chatted with the people next to us and then got back on the trolley to go to dinner. While on the trolley, a man got on  who told all of everyone to sing. He was 92 years old and he would play his harmonica for us. He was very entertaining. Carl didn't find him quite as fun as I did. But the whole trolley clapped and cheered for him.. I choose a place for dinner called Sandbar and let just say I would not waste my time going there again. The service was good , but the food was not all that. I was really disappointed since it was the end of our trip and I really wanted a nice dinner. Back on the trolley we went to the Drift In the local bar at the end of the dock. We like this place we always go there when we are in this town. Its a great local place. We partied pretty hard then  headed back to the boat, it was right to bed with me. We slept in till late then we got up and had breakfast at a Rotten Ron's.  Then walked to a store where I bought this cool clock I saw the day before. Now we are in the gulf and headed for Woody's in our home water. Woody's will be the last stop on our trip.. Oh what a wonderful summer...