When:          July 4, 2011

Where:         Clearwater to John’s Pass/Treasure Island & Return

Who:             The Matthews Family from Tennessee

With arrangements made through the concierge (Alison) at the Sandpearl Resort on Clearwater Beach, we took the Matthews Family from Tennessee on a water-borne tour on July 4^th.  We cruised from Clearwater Beach, going south on the Intra-Coastal Waterway, passing thru seven different beach towns on the Sand Key barrier island.

Our route took us past waterfront condos and residential communities, waterside restaurants, large clusters of mangrove trees growing in the salt water and dozens of other boaters enjoying the long holiday weekend.  We even passed by the only McDonald’s Restaurant with its own marina.

Meanwhile, everyone onboard was enjoying the relaxing gentle motion of the boat’s rocking, the fresh sea air, and the bright Florida sunshine.

Our destination was John’s Pass, between Madeira Beach and Treasure Island.  We docked at Gator’s on the Pass, a popular waterfront restaurant and sports bar.  The Matthews sat outside on the deck for their mid-day meal, joined by some friends who were staying in St. Pete Beach, a bit further down the beach from John’s Pass.

After everyone’s appetite was satisfied, we re-boarded “Dolce Vita” and entered the Gulf of Mexico for the return to Clearwater.  The north-bound trip took us along the 17-mile long beaches of Sand Key.  Along the way, we were visited by a couple of dolphin, but we were unsuccessful at getting them to play in our wake.

Finally, the afternoon’s cruise was over and the family disembarked in time to freshen up and catch the great fireworks shows that all the beach communities stage on this national holiday.