Port Charlotte-Longboat Key Nov 15-Dec 11

 When we left the boat in storage in March, COVID-19 was a new mystery to us. Little did we realize what an impact it would have on the country as well as the entire world.  We are thankful that we remained healthy and safe. On November 15 we flew to Punta Gorda, back to the Pura Vida dos where she has been stored since March.  She was a dirty mess when we arrived but after 3 days of work and cleaning she was looking pretty good again.  After leaving the storage yard at Safe Cove, our first stop was Fisherman's Village Marina where we spent 2 nights.  This gave us time to provision and do some annual maintenance.

On Friday, November 20, we were ready to roll! We decided we were going to stay on the Gulf side of Florida and enjoy the warm Gulf waters and sandy beaches. We spent 2 nights anchored out near Cayo Costa. Ever since we anchored out here when we did the Loop, we heard stories about a small channel through the mangroves named "The Tunnel of Love".  We decided it was time to check it out. The further in we traveled the narrower and shallower it got. In fact as we neared the end we had to push the dinghy along with a pole. When we reached the small lake at the end we were greeted by a rather large alligator sunning himself and looking for lunch. We made a speedy exit. 

On Sunday, we moved north 10 miles to another of our favorite anchorages just off Gasparilla Island near Gasparilla Pass.  We stayed here 2 nights and enjoyed the hot, sunny, calm weather. The dinghy once again got a lot of use. While out on the Gulf of Mexico we had fun watching a pod of dolphins, a slew of sharks and a manatee swim near the dinghy.  Steve even jumped in and swam next to the manatee! 

On Tuesday, after fueling up the boat at Gasparilla Marina (diesel was $1.95/gallon - an all time low for us - woohoo!) we cruised another 10 miles north to Englewood.  Here we anchored out and enjoyed dinner at a local restaurant under the stars.  Another amazing day. 

Wednesday we went out Stump Pass and traveled 30 miles on the Gulf of Mexico to Big Sarasota Pass inlet where we dropped anchor just south of Longboat Key. Thursday - Thanksgiving - was a gorgeous, hot day. We headed a little further north to the pass between Longboat Key and Anna Maria Island where we dropped the hook for the night.  The beautiful day called for a dinghy ride to the Gulf and then to the sandbar just inside the inlet.  The evening was warm and calm. It was one of the most beautiful, peaceful, starry nights we have ever experienced on anchor. We have so much to be thankful for. 

After 7 nights on anchor, it was time for a marina. We cruised a short distance up the intracoastal to Tampa Bay where we turned onto the Manatee River to Bradenton. Our marina for the night was Twin Dolphin Marina. 

Saturday morning our friends Paul & Cindy flew in from Michigan.  The weather was still great, but we knew it was going to change in a couple of days, so as soon as they arrived, we headed out to enjoy a couple nights on anchor with them. After 2 great nights on anchor, we headed back to Twin Dolphin Marina. The winds picked up and the temperatures dropped - as forecasted. The next 2 days we explored the area by rental car. 

Wednesday morning our friends left to fly back home. The winds finally calmed down again so we were able to head out and spend a couple nights on the hook before heading to our final destination of Longboat Key Club Moorings. 

On December 7, Steve flew home and Sheli's mom flew in. The girls had a great few days enjoying time together. It was fun checking out the local shopping, dining and beaches. 

Poling our way through the "Tunnel of Love"

Anchor duty

Thanksgiving night. Wow!

Anna Maria Island with Paul & Cindy

Dolphins love our wake!

Sheli & Mom at Mote Aquarium

Longboat Key Club

  

 

Fort Myers Beach-Port Charlotte - Mar 11-18

Just one more week left of this year's adventure.  On Wednesday, March 11, we left Fort Myers Beach and traveled a short 8 miles to an anchorage just off of Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge located on Sanibel Island.  We were beginning to hear rumblings about the Coronavirus and were happy to be on anchor away from "the world".  Our timing was good in regards to the weather as the winds finally dropped so it was perfect for anchoring out.  We took advantage of this fabulous weather and stayed "on the hook" for the next 4 nights.  We spent 2 nights just off of Cabbage Key, 1 night near Cayo Costa and 1 night near Boca Grande.

We just learned the term "social distancing" and felt we were in the perfect place to follow these guidelines.  Days were spent relaxing, swimming and exploring via dinghy.  It was hard to imagine while we were enjoying our solitude, the rest of the world was starting to go nuts.

On Monday, we pulled into Fisherman's Village Marina in Punta Gorda. We started prepping the boat for storage. (always a sad day)  That evening we went out to dinner at a local restaurant in Fisherman's Village.  Little did we know, this would be our last dining out experience for months!

Tuesday morning we cruised 10 miles across Charlotte Harbor and thru the lock which put us in fresh water for our last 8 miles to the storage yard. That afternoon the PV2 was pulled out. We spent the afternoon stripping the upholstery from the flybridge, and storing it inside the boat where we run a dehumidifier for the summer. We spent the night onboard and flew home the next day.  We came back to Michigan on March 18 as scheduled which was 6 weeks earlier than last year. With the Covoid-19 virus coming on fast and hard, we were very thankful to be home.

Exploring near Captiva Island

Anchored out.

Breakfast view at Cabbage Key

Hello from Cabbage Key water tower.

Hello down there!

Lovely Boca Grande Pass

Last night on anchor.
Time to head back to reality.

Out of the water until next winter.

Sharing our storage area with a "land yacht"

Bimini-Fort Myers Beach - Feb 24-Mar 10

With mixed emotions we left Bimini on Monday, February 24.  Our month in the Bahamas was magical yet challenging.   The sun shone, the temps were hot and the waters were amazing but the winds were a constant factor. Our decision to cross back to Miami was driven by a lull in the winds.  Monday waves were predicted to be 2-3 feet with the rest of the week building to 10-14 feet.  So off we went.  Our crossing was rolly but comfortable.  We crossed directly to Miami where we spent the night on anchor.

Tuesday we took a slip at Prime Marina in Coconut Grove where we were able to stock up on provisions which were pretty much depleted during our stay in the Bahamas.  That night we enjoyed Taco Tuesday at our new favorite haunt - Sandbar Sports Grill. Best tacos ever! Wednesday morning we traveled 40 miles and anchored near Key Largo under Hwy 1, a 65ft interstate bridge. Captain "Think a Lot" new we would swing when the tide changed at 1am...so we set our alarm clock for 1:30am. Good thing, because the PV2 had swung to within 4ft of a massive concrete bridge footing. We tightened our stern line, went back to bed and tried to sleep.

Thursday we headed to Islamorada where we anchored out in Snake Creek for 3 nights. Once again the winds limited our exploring options but we made the best of it and still were able to dinghy to Hog Heaven for fabulous smoked pork & brisket.  The sun continued to shine, so as long as we dodged the winds, we were fine.

On Tuesday, we pulled the hook early and began our long cruise up to Florida's west coast. We traveled 120 miles on the Gulf of Mexico to Marco Island where we anchored out for 2 nights.  Our exciting discovery was a Winn Dixie grocery store with a dinghy dock! Awesome!!!! Saturday we took the dinghy to Goodland, a quaint fishing village located in the southeast corner of Marco Island. So cute. Yummy lunch.

Next stop, Fort Myers Beach.  We spent 2 nights at Moss Marina and 3 nights at Salty Sam's Marina. Our friends Paul & Cindy joined us on Saturday and spent 3 nights with us.  We had fun anchoring out 2 of the nights - one night near Captiva Island and one night near St James City. On Tuesday we dropped our friends off back at Fort Myers Beach in order for them to catch their flight back to Michigan.

Back in the USA!
Anchorage near Miami

This anchorage required us to tie a stern line to the mangroves

to control swinging with the tides.

Toilet Seat Pass!
A pass thru the shallows near Tavernier Key marked with toilet seats.

Captain Adorable 

Dinghy expedition with Paul & Cindy

Silly girls!

Hand rubbed, deep fried BACON!
Doesn’t get much better than that!

Pink Palm Tree - love it!

Bimini Bahamas - February 9-24

Our home from February 9-24 was Bimini Cove Marina on South Bimini. We spent 2 weeks enjoying the amazing waters, the sights, and fun people. Mornings were spent on projects and sitting on the beach with our friends DD and Maya from Germany. The entertainment on the beach was watching boats navigate the tricky entrance into the harbor. We often saw boats run aground on the sandbar near the entrance. Ouch!  Afternoons were spent exploring the turquoise waters around both North and South Bimini. Evenings called for a beach walk to watch the sunset. We even saw the green flash! 

We will let pictures tell the story of our highlights in Bimini.

Our view off the back of the boat at Bimini Cove

Hey Ray, hey Ray, where you going?

Romantic couple

Shark research ship. Many research teams come to study the sharks in the Bimini waters.

Great day for a swim! No sharks here!

Fresh lobster delivery 

Captain prepping the lobster 

Good eating!

Beach walk. Gorgeous empty beach!

Happy Captain exploring by dinghy

Happy first mate exploring by land

Bimini - Rides & Wrecks

Off for our daily expedition!

Enjoying the crystal clear warm waters

90 degree water temps, crossing the shallow flats.

Captain Relax

Local fine dining establishment.
Great conch salad!

The Roald Amundsen
German Tall Ship sails the world with crews of volunteers,
training them on seamanship.

Fuel ship attempting to deliver fuel to Bimini Cove.
They float a hose from the tanker to the box in the foreground.
Today was too rough, so they will be back...sometime!!!
(Bimini Cove is now out of diesel & gas until they return....sometime)

Captain Rescue! Sailboat grounded in the channel.
Should have waited for high tide!

Woke up one morning to find this yacht wrecked on the reef.

Same boat. Next day, after big storm swept it off the reef.

Upside down plane wreck in shallow water

This one has been here awhile