Our home on the Bayou

by Ron

So Nancy found and took a chance on this out of the way dock, not at all on the normal radar for loopers. We both decided we were a bit crazy to try getting in here, without really knowing what the place was like. But it ended up being my favorite stop of the entire trip so far, and Nancy’s too.

So after looking at the map of the entrance to our home on the bayou, the dock at the Bayview Resort in St. Pete Beach. We got a call from Pat Reimann, Ron’s mom. Being the boater that she is, she said “Why would you even go into a place like that?!” Answer: Location, Location, Location. We have loved this spot, it’s been like having our own private resort with two sun decks and a pool right outside the boat and just across the street we have access to St. Pete Beach. Just a little hike down the beach is a sister resort that has a private beach, where we go sit on the loungers, get a cheap Rum Runner from the tiki bar and read boat porn. It doesn’t hurt to dream about boat #3!
Our home at night, we love all the lights.
This is the Resort’s front desk. The whole resort has a retro theme going. Since we were pretty much the only big boat at the dock, we got to know the owner, an aspiring boat owner, and he said that this has got to be the most expensive front desk in the country, as he had it restored.
Every night the resort has a free beer and wine happy hour. This was the gang who was at the very first HH that we attended. The couple on the right got married o that night and brought the wedding cake to HH. This was such a fun bunch that before the weekend ended and everyone returned home, we continued HH on our boat. All great people, new friends!
The Plaza Beach Resort Private Beach, we did a lot of sitting and contemplating on these chairs.
Sunset on the Plaza Beach Resort.
Surprise, Surprise! After publishing the previous post, we came to find out that the original owner of Zaptel, Sandy F. lived only a few blocks from the resort/dock we were at. We got together with her and her husband. This is a photo of when Sandy and Ron signed the deal on Zaptel. They actually hadn’t seen each other since that day. What are the odds?! Yes that’s really Captain Ron!
And if that surprise wasn’t enough, my sister who I haven’t seen in three years, who used to live in this area shows up! Great connect time with her sharing our beach vacation. I remember when she first brought me to this beach and thinking “I’ll be back here someday” and now we are and are loving it!
This was the access to the beach across the street from the resort that we hiked across every day, sometimes several times a day.
This is McPherson Bayou or as Ron calls it our Cal du Sac, we did have the dingy out a couple of times exploring the area and looking at all the Christmas lights on the houses.
This is winter in St. Pete, the fog rolls in most mornings
and then out by 10 a.m.
Really trying to get into the Christmas Spirit, we went over to Gulfport to the Boca Ciega Yacht Club to view the Christmas Parade. The MN connections never end, we sat next to a couple who was originally from MN and this guy actually worked for Hubbard Broadcasting and knew the Mimi, the boat we were docked with at Bobby’s Fish Camp, did someone say small world?
Level 11 Bar on St. Pete Beach promises some great views, we snagged a few photos and then the fog rolled in before sunset, but very cool place. Million dollar view worth whatever we paid for the drinks.
In case you’re wondering about barnacles, this is what they look like, I’m told they start out very small, like an insect then grow very fast. This is the fender on the neighboring sailboat that has been docked next to us and apparently has been there for some time, judging from the barnacles. We asked the owner why he keeps it there and he said for decoration.
This video shows who we felt deserved first place in the boat parade. Very creative with the lights, nice theme and presentation. This particular parade awarded $6K in cash prizes. Think we might be able to pull off a Christmas in July Boat Parade on the St. Croix? Could be a blast decorating our boats and then parading past downtown Stillwater on a hot July night. We’re off to get some culture on the downtown side of St. Petersburg, got a 90 minute cruise into Tampa Bay and staying at a real Marina, looking forward to it as the holding tank is almost full after 11 days here!

One thought on “Our home on the Bayou”

  1. Awesome reporting. You are having a fabulous time. I simply love read all your adventures. Talk about a life time of wonderful memories you are making. You are blessed. Enjoy and keep posting.
    Much love ❤

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