Exploring New Destinations On Florida's West Coast

March 22 - April 3, 2013

Our plan had been to leave the Keys and travel up the east coast of Florida back to Stuart.   However, I prefer the west coast and our friends, Gail and John, (from Hawaii trip and many trips on Gotta Smile) were renting a house in Sanibel for the month of March.  I was able to convince Brian, Bonnie and Jon that this would be a more interesting trip.  It didn't really take a lot of convincing.  Mostly, I mentioned it and all agreed.  

Sun setting behind the 7 mile bridge in Marathon.



After anchoring in Marathon, we had one beautiful day with little wind and flat water to get to Naples. It was 89 degrees with perfect conditions. 12 hours and 116 miles later we dropped our anchor in a canal surrounded by executive homes. It was critical to push that far because the next few days were going to be anything but perfect. Heavy winds would be directed at our bow, which makes for uncomfortable travel. Sunday was a short trip to an anchorage just off Sanibel.  Monday we arrived at the Sanibel Marina and were assigned a slip next to Grandma Dot's.  This popular restaurant seemed to always have a crowd waiting to eat.  Everyone was entertained as Brian docked us in a tight spot with heavy wind.  He looked like a pro and this was an excellent moment to do it right!  John and Gail arrived for lunch and the fun began.  I was hoping that everyone would enjoy one another.  No worry there.  For the next three days we shopped, toured, ate and played Farkel.  John and Gale have a big Expedition that easily carried all 6 of us and our loot.  The 3 guys did a little bike riding, mostly because the girls took the car!  Everyone had a great time.  We said good-bye Wednesday afternoon and about 8:30 they returned to show Gotta Smile to friends from the island.  Ok, one more round of good-byes.  

 

Things got a little nutty after waiting over an hour
for a dinner table.  I began serving mints from this
crocodile head to guests as they left. 

The Expedition filled after a Costco run....lots of
goodies and six people.  We should be a Ford ad!
I don't think we have ever done a vacation with
John and Gail that did not involve a Costco run.
We even did one in Kauai.   

Thursday we traveled 26 miles to Cayo Costa's Pelican Bay.  This is a state park that has been recommended to us by numerous boaters.  For me -- heaven!  We were anchored in a large protected bay with sandy beaches only a short dingy ride away.   For two days we took the dingy to the park dock where we got a ride on the tractor tram to the gulf side of the island.  We walked the beach, picked up a few shells, ate a simple picnic lunch and looked at the blue, blue water.  Back on the dingy we explored other inlets and spits of sand before going back to our boats.  Bonnie and I shared the 'galley slave' duties by having dinner on Bon Voyage two nights and Gotta Smile the other.  Easter Sunday we got really adventurous and took the dingy a short two miles to Cabbage Key.  This is another one of the many restaurants that claim to have inspired Jimmy Buffet to write 'Cheeseburger In Paradise'.  It was a little slice of paradise so who knows?               

The welcome center at Cayo Costa State Park.

   

 

Walking the beach!

Done walking, done with lunch -- time for a nap!



The park offered informal classes.  While the guys
took one on fishing, Bonnie and I went to a jewelry
class.  The teacher was overwhelmed with too many
students so Bonnie and I rolled up our sleeves and
assisted.  We are now Jr. Park Rangers! 



Dingin around in the dingy.

 

The restaurant at Cabbage Key has dollar bills taped
to the walls, ceiling, and posts of the bar.  They estimate
$70,000 at any time.  As the tape releases and they fall
to the floor, they are collected and put in trash bags. 
When they have $10,000 they donate the money to a
local charity.      

After lunch, we hiked the nature trail around the
grounds.

Also enjoying the trail - an ibis decked out with red
legs and beak. 

On April Fool's Day we finished exploring new destinations by visiting Punta Gorda.  The marina was adjacent to Fisherman's Village -- a shopping mall with attached condos.  It wasn't my favorite stop this month, but we did accomplish one thing -- I've been trying to convince Brian that he should buy a hat that gives his face and ears better sun protection than a baseball cap.  We finally found one.  Now if he will just wear it!    

 After Punta Gorda we retraced our steps across the Okeechobee with an anchorage at Pine Island and the city dock in Morehaven before arriving back in Stuart for a month.   

Gotta smile -- we're lovin the ride!