Yo Ho Ho – It’s The Salty Life for Me!

April 24 & 25, 2012

April 24

We’re on the move again.  And it feels great!  At 9:45 this morning we pulled out of Longboat Key, waved goodbye to our neighbors, Jim and Ann, and headed south.  I must confess, I was a little apprehensive about getting under way.  We had been in one place for four months and I was afraid I wouldn’t remember what to do.  Truth be told – I don’t have to do much once we have the lines disconnected and leave the slip.  I help with the driving, when Brian needs a break.  Other than that – it’s just meals and household chores until we anchor or pull into a slip.  We’re on the intercoastal, which is calmer than the gulf.  This is a fun section, because we are seeing all of the places that we drove past in the car.  The houses are much more impressive from the water side.  

Dolphins surrounding us

Dolphin and manatee sightings are still exciting for us and we’ve had lots today.  Plus, we’re observing the Osprey that are busy taking care of their fledglings.  Mileage markers are a perfect place for Osprey to build their nests…sturdy and close to their favorite food – fresh fish.  According to Google – the chicks are dependent upon the parents until the fall migration.  The adults have a wingspan of 5 - 6 feet and can dive foot first into the water to catch fish from 120 feet in the air.  Mighty impressive!
 
 At 7:30 we dropped our anchor in a quiet bay off Sanibel Island after traveling 78 miles.  We love the long day's of spring.  On our way down from Minnesota we had to anchor by 4:30 to be safe.  We still don’t know if we will cross Florida on the Okeechobee or go around the tip.  It all depends on how deep the water is in the rivers and lake.  Tomorrow morning will

 be decision time.  Fort Myers is where we turn east or continue south.  Tonight

we are directly behind another Krogen 48 named Almost Perfect from Treasure Island, FL.  

Osprey flying away from the camera with a large fish in his talons.

April 25
We met our sister ship’s crew this morning via the radios.  Bud and Pat are also headed to Stuart.  They confirmed what we thought -the Okeechobee route is too shallow for our boats.  So, the decision is made – we go around the tip.  Since they have made this trip many times, we are traveling with them.  First stop is a short hop to Naples – only 28 miles.  We arrived at the Sailing and Yacht Club around noon.  It appeared to be close to downtown.  Brian and I took off walking in search of lunch.  It was much further and much hotter than anticipated.  Good lunch and cute downtown.  Exercise completed for today.  Time for feet up and a cold drink.    


Hippo grazing in a backyard along the intercoastal.

If you live on San Pedro Island, you better be good
at reversing off the ferry.  There is no other way to
access the island.

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!