Tag Archives: Caladesi

Merry Christmas

Christmas 2020, the Holiday Spirit With Built in Social DistancingšŸŽ…šŸ»šŸ˜‰ – by Randy

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Like families the world over, we are adjusting to the new norms in a world with COVID-19. We have limited our family gatherings, forgone the holiday parties, and avoided public places. As followers of this blog already know we have spent 5 previous Christmases aboard. This year we decided to enjoy Christmas in Florida at Caladesi Island State Park. We are attaching a short video to share some of the isolated beauty that we experienced this Christmas.

It turned out to be the perfect socially distant choice given the circumstances of 2020. We arrived at Caladesi Island on December 22 and stayed through Christmas Day. The beautiful Caladesi Island Marina (a 100 plus slip marina with floating docks) was empty, save two other intrepid cruising couples who, like us, wanted to spend Christmas afloat on one of Floridaā€™s most beautiful and isolated state parks.

Dolphin at sunset
Dolphin at sunset
  • Gopher Tortoise
    Gopher Tortoise
  • Armadillo
    Armadillo
  • Pelican
    Pelican
  • Dolphin
    Dolphin
  • Ryan on the beach walk
    Ryan on the beach walk
  • Ronan
    Ronan
Ronan & Ryan
Ronan & Ryan

We hope everyone enjoyed their holiday and are wishing everyone all the best in the New Year! Hopefully, 2021 will give us all the opportunity to enjoy a more traditional and festive holiday season.

Cheers 2020
Cheers 2020
Beach snowman
Beach snowman

Caladesi Island State Park (Nov. 2019)

CALADESI ISLAND, FL – 2019 (By Theresa)

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Below is a short video-clip of our recent excursion to Caladesi Island State Park, a little slice of paradise about an hour south of our home port in Tarpon Springs, FL. Randyā€™s sister Patti joined us on our sojourn, making the trip even more special.

The swaying palms, pristine white sand beaches, and crystal clear aqua-marine waters rivaled many of the beaches we have visited in the Caribbean.

Caladesi Island State Park (Nov. 2019) Caladesi Island State Park (Nov. 2019)
Caladesi Island State Park (Nov. 2019) Caladesi Island State Park (Nov. 2019)

The island is also home to Ā scenic nature and hiking trails. We were fortunate enough to get a personal guided tour of the island with the park ranger and a nature trail guide.

Nature trail hike, Caladesi Island State Park (Nov. 2019)
Ryan on the nature trail hike, Caladesi Island State Park (Nov. 2019)

Patti, Park Ranger & Nature hike guide (Nov. 2019) Patti, Park Ranger & Nature hike guide (Nov. 2019)

Ryan on the nature trail, Caladesi Island State Park (Nov. 2019) Ryan on the nature trail, Caladesi Island State Park (Nov. 2019)
Patti, Caladesi Island State Park (Nov. 2019) Patti, Caladesi Island State Park (Nov. 2019)

We all enjoyed he beauty of the island and continue to love being out on the water.

R&R at the beach, Caladesi Island, FL (Oct. 2019) R&R at the beach, Caladesi Island, FL (Oct. 2019)
R&R at the beach, Caladesi Island, FL (Oct. 2019) R&R at the beach, Caladesi Island, FL (Oct. 2019)
Ronan & Randy (Nov. 2019) Ronan & Randy (Nov. 2019)
Randy & Patti (Nov. 2019) Randy & Patti (Nov. 2019)
Ryan at the helm cruising past Three Rooker Bar (Nov. 2019) Ryan at the helm, cruising past Three Rooker Bar (Nov. 2019)
Theresa & Marlow (Nov. 2019) Theresa & Marlow (Nov. 2019)
Randy on the bow, Caladesi Island, FL (Oct. 2019) Randy on the bow, Caladesi Island, FL (Oct. 2019)

In an ironic twist of fate, as we were departing Caladesi Island, we passed the incoming ferry. Later in the day, we received an email from friends of ours, Gail and Jason (S/V Two Fish) who were our boat marina neighbors in Grenada in 2015. Ā It Ā turns out they were on the ferry headed to Caladesi Island and snapped a photo of Pilotsā€™ Discretion in the channel departing the island.

Ferry to Caladesi Island State Park, FL (Oct. 2019) Ferry to Caladesi Island State Park, FL (Oct. 2019)
Pilotsā€™ Discretion leaving Caladesi Island (2019) Pilotsā€™ Discretion leaving Caladesi Island (2019)

It is a very small world indeed that our bows have passed in this fashion!

We have more boating adventures on the horizon. Details to follow.