St. Petersburg was a place that neither of us have been, so it was going to be a new adventure. The night before we left Dunedin, we found out that St. Petersburg was having race week. Good thing we had phoned to make a reservation, or else there would have been no slip available. We also found out the track was going right in front of the marina. This sounds like its going to be an exciting weekend. So. Saturday April 4th,2009 we pulled into the basin in which we first encountered several police patrol boats. The basin was crowded with several boats and if we didn't have a slip, we weren't getting in, no big boats!
Well, we pulled in, tied up, went to the office and was warmly welcomed by all the staff. On top of the desk there was a box of ear plugs and a brochure with the schedule of events and we were told to help ourselves, and it was recommended to use the plugs if we were going to go anywhere near the gate. Our weekend was a smorgasbord of events. We immediately went to the gate to watch the preliminary races, absolutely amazing and exciting. Later in the afternoon, we went back to the boat for lunch and sat on the back deck to watch an air show and then watch the cars race around the track. Sunday, bright and early around 8:00 am, over the loud speakers, the American Anthem was playing and the stands were filling up with spectators, patriotic parachuters falling from the sky, another exciting race day. Today was going to be the Grand Prix Formula 1 race cars. Let us just say, WOW! This is a video below, click on the arrow. After most of the events we went to explore St. Petersburg, we visited the yacht club, lovely pool and tiki bar on the roof. Then onto the inverted Pyramid on the pier where we had some lunch and checked out the shops, very unique. They also have the HMS Bounty replica, the one they used in the movie Mutiny on the Bounty. Went back to the boat and mingled with a few of the cruisers along the docks. Many were also trying to watch the basketball championships and of course partying.
Again, its seems like Mother Nature was singing the same song only this time harder, the temps dropped from mid 80's to low 60's and night time low 40's and very windy.The couple on the sailboat beside us came out on deck and we noticed them taking pictures. Inside the yacht basin there are warm springs and this is where the manatees come because they need the warm water. There was a crowd at the end of the dock all mesmerized by the sight they were witnessing. Here at the end of the dock was a mother manatee rolling in the warm water coming from the boats air conditioning system. She was trying to get her calf under the spray and she would roll onto her back. However the calf wanted nothing to do with coming under the water, she just wanted to suckle. This sight awed and humbled us, very moving and loving. This is a video below, click on the arrow to watch.Well one more day of cool weather and high winds, so we decided to explore a few of the sights. We donned our sweat shirts and jeans because it was a very cool day. Then went onto explore the Museum of Art where there was an exhibit of the artwork of a 15th century artist named Durer, awesome.
Finally, again we were able to start our journey south again, so onto a few more stops before the rendezvous. More to come...
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