Cruising on Last Dance


This blog archives the adventures of Glen and Jill Moore and provides a means of communication for friends and family. Exploration and adventure have been synonymous with boats and water for centuries. The joy of adventures shared while exploring new places and meeting new people has built a strong bond for Glen and Jill. Last Dance is the platform for the exploration.

"The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page." St. Augustine, 354 - 430

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” Mark Twain, 1835 - 1910

"There is nothing -- absolutely nothing -- half so much worth doing as simply messing around in boats." The Wind in the Willows, 1908, Kenneth Grahame, 1859 - 1932

"I've never believed speed and ease are conductive to living fully, becoming aware, or deepening memory, a tripod of urges to stabilize and lend meaning to life." River Horse: a log book of a boat across America, 1999, William Least Heat-Moon,1939 -

The Great Loop -- The current adventure is a circumnavigation of the Eastern United States, cruising north up the east coast through New York into Canada, across the Great Lakes to Chicago, navigating multiple river systems south to Mobile, along the Gulf coast to the Florida Keys and back to St. Augustine. This trip by boat is commonly referred to as the Great Loop. Progress and current location are indicated by the red line on the map to the right. It was titled the Traceless Path in recognition of a German sailor we met in St. Augustine who published booklets of his travels with hand-drawn, detailed maps describing his travels across the water as the Traceless Path.



Saturday, February 25, 2012

Clearwater Beach


Clearwater Beach has sprouted high rise condominiums and large hotels.  While these are the first and highest impact images as one approaches the island, there are interesting aspects of this town.



Art Deco hotels still stand,















churches have nautical doors,


















and, some old, locally-owned restaurants have survived.












In fact, Frenchy's has done so well that they now have three other locations in addition to the original.  For tourists without transportation, there is a Frenchymobile.  Note the grouper sandwich display on the roof, advertising one of their most famous menu offerings.





You do meet great people around cruising boats.  Another example occurred at Clearwater Beach where Harvey and Dana gave Last Dance a berth at their home dock.  The parents next door, Russell and Marion, loaned us their Mercedes for several trips into town.  Wonderful people along the waterways.  Photos below are from the backyard.


























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