Thursday, February 8, 2018

Ft Myers Beach-Longboat Key - Feb 1-6

Thursday morning we left Salty Sam's and traveled back north 30 miles to the small island of Cayo Costa where we anchored out for 2 nights.  We had a wonderful day that was warm, sunny and low winds. Finally! In the afternoon we dinghyed over to a sandy beach and spent some time enjoying the warmth. It was a great night to grill out and take in the awesome starry night.

Friday morning the winds were still down and the seas were calm so we set out for a morning dinghy cruise. We traveled around the point onto the Gulf where we observed hammerhead sharks, rays and dolphins swimming near and under the dinghy in the clear shallow waters. Amazing!  After a brief pit stop on the boat we continued our dinghy quest the other direction 3 miles to Cabbage Key which is a 100 acre island "reminiscent of days gone by".  On the island we had burgers for lunch at the famous Cabbage Key Inn & Restaurant. The walls and ceiling are covered with dollar bills with patrons names written on them. As legend has it, sailors of by gone days would stick dollar bills with their name on it to the wall. This way when they returned, possibly empty handed, they were guaranteed a drink. There is currently said to be 70,000 one dollar bills adorning the walls.  After our burger lunch the first mate insisted on a walk, so we stopped at the dock and ranger station at Cayo Costa State Park. The walk was beautiful thru the palm forest and out to the beach. 

Saturday we traveled 20 miles to an anchorage near Englewood Beach. We walked the beach and had dinner at the White Elephant. 

Sunday on to Venice! Just a short 16 miles up the ICW we tied off at the Crows Nest Marina. The water at the inlet where the marina is located is clear aqua. Wow! We used Marina bicycles to visit downtown Venice. What a beautiful area of high end residential areas and palm lined streets. At night we watched the Super Bowl at the marina restaurant. 

Venice is only 23 miles from Longboat Key where we will be docking the the boat for an extended time. Captain and crew unanimously decided we needed one more night on anchor. Five miles short of Longboat we dropped the hook behind Otter Key. The night did not disappoint. The winds were calm. The temps were warm. The stars were spectacular. 

Tuesday we arrived at Longboat Key Club Moorings near Sarasota.  With Grand Haven 2200 miles in our rear view mirror, it's time to give the PV2 a well deserved rest. 





    Our private beach near Cayo Costa.


    Great calm night on the hook.


    Cabbage Key - dollar bills everywhere!


    Cayo Costa State Park.


   Captain Adorable!


    Local videoing dolphins in our wake.


     Otter Key sunset.




   Relaxing at Longboat Key.

Tuesday, February 6, 2018

Longboat Key-Ft Myers Beach - Jan 23-31

First we need to apologize to our dolphin friends. Last trip, we bragged them up so much and this time we have taken them for granted. Shame on us. They have been constant companions since arriving in Florida. At times, we don't even notice them until we hear a slap in our wake as they jump in the air and land on their back. This never fails to distract the first mate from her assigned duties. Love them!

Tuesday we traveled south on the ICW 45 miles to Stump Pass near Englewood. Here we pulled off the ICW behind a small island and dropped the hook, jumped in the dinghy and took off on a mission. Our mission was to find our way through a channel, down a backwater canal leading to a spot where Steve's friend and customer Kim Wagner is building a home. Kim met us at the end of the canal which is a short walk from his construction sight.  It was fun seeing the house under construction and learning about the Florida/hurricane building requirements.  We had been experiencing fog on and off throughout the day but by the time we pulled out of Kim's canal, the fog had set in again - thick!  We navigated by iPad to find our way back to the mothership.  Through the thick fog we traveled 2 miles to Royal Palm Marina for the evening. (Due to shallow waters, we had to enter late in the afternoon to catch high tide). The marina sent Bob out in a 16ft skiff to lead us in because their channel markers had been destroyed by hurricane Irma. As we were following him in through the dense fog, we  realized by watching our chart plotter that he was missing the channel and had to guide him by radio back into the channel. Crazy stuff!  That evening Larry (who works with Sheli at Ironwood Golf Course) and his wife Carole picked us up and took us to their favorite local pizza place. The food and fellowship were grand.

Wednesday morning we departed by 8am to again catch high tide out of the marina. We traveled 18 miles and anchored in a small protected channel near Boca Grande.  In the afternoon we dinghyed across to town.  While the first mate was happy walking and shopping, the captain became concerned about the status of the PV2 as the winds were picking up so shopping was cut short. It was a windy, rocky night.

Thursday's destination was Ft Myers Beach. After traveling 15 miles, we pulled into the marina at South Seas Resort on the north end of Captiva Island.  We enjoyed lunch with Steve's cousin Ross Hoezee and his wife Thea who were vacationing there with their kids and grandkids. Fun!
We continued another 15 miles to Salty Sam's Marina in Ft Myers Beach which was our home for the next 7 days.  During our week stay, we enjoyed time with Steve's uncle & aunt, Ken & Joyce Sterk, friends from Byron Center, Todd & Star, and friends from Keenan Marina, Gary & Lori.  Thanks to Gary & Lori for loaning us their car for a provisioning run!

Florida's winter weather this year continues to challenge us with cooler temps and high winds, but still enjoy every day and are thankful to be here.




    Cruising the ICW in the fog.



   Kim Wagner & Steve.


    Anybody seen the mothership?


    Larry & Sheli.


   Our night watchman.



    Ross Hoezee family.


     Ken & Joyce Sterk



    Gary & Lori


    Docked at Salty Sam's
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