Each year a group of us friends get together to celebrate the 4th of July on a sail boat.  We have done this for many years now and although the trip in many ways is routine, the pleasure and fun is not routine.  Every year has different high points.

The pre-cruise plans do vary each year.  We have arrived early in the afternoon and enjoyed dinner at one of the many wonderful restaurants in downtown St. Peterburg.  One year we stayed overnight at a downtown hotel and spent the week in the city.

We leave from the marina in St. Petersburg by "The Pier."  Our time to meet for sailing is 6:00 PM and those that choose the "cruise only" activities generally arrive at the last minute.

Our cruise each year is on the "Magic" which is a 51' Morgan Sailing Ketch.  A ketch is a sailing craft with two masts: a main mast, and a shorter mizzen mast abaft (rearward of) the main mast. Both masts are rigged mainly fore-and-aft.

The Magic is skillfully navigated by Captain Randal and First Mate Fred.  They have hosted us every year.  We make our reservations through Dolphin Landings at www.dolphinlandings.com.  But, don't try it for 4th of July as we have it locked up each year.

We leave the marina to enjoy the final rays of light for the day in order to catch the sun setting over downtown St. Pete.

Then there was the most beautiful sunset we have seen in several years

We then pull into the harbor for the fireworks

And tradition continues ...