January 26, February 9 2015, Fort Meyers, Cayo Costa to Marathon with Kathy and Dave

On Sunday, we managed to squeeze everyone into the dinghy and headed to shore.  The dinghy dock wasn't too full but there are places where the rubber rub stripping has been torn off the dock exposing nails so it took us a few tries to locate a suitable place to tie up.  Wouldn't do to have a punctured dinghy!

We walked to the beach and then walked across the Matanzas Pass Bridge (San Carlos Boulevard) with the goal of checking out the shrimp store where you can buy shrimp right off the boats.  But first we had to recharge at at one of 3 nearby restaurants.

Easy to choose you might be thinking.  Think again.  In a superb example of  group decisiveness,  we finally sat down after 30 minutes.  We ended up selecting a place Dave and Kathy had eaten at before.  I unfortunately cant remember the name of the place but I do remember its newly opened under new management.   And it was nice with seating overlooking the river.

After the recharge we did walk to the Trico Shrimp place along the river.  We looked at the boats and noted the marine parts store nearby was closed.  So we walked back across the bridge, stopping for yet another re-charge at Kilwins, an ice cream store along the beach.  

While there we were treated to watching a street entertainer setting up.  He was one of those guys in white makeup and dressed in all white that mimics a statue.  He really did look like a statue too.

We headed back to the boat around 4pm since we were expecting Russ and Kathy over for a few drinks.  We had met them at the laundry facility the day before and as we were heading in this morning I hailed them at their boat and invited them over.

And so they arrived, complete with a wine bladder.  Wine Bladder?  Yup.  Its basically boxed wine without the box, just the bag part.  She likes white wine too,  which gave the semi transparent bladder a yellowish appearance.  And yes, there was a strong likeness to a hospital catheter bag.  Quite funny!

We had a great time and when they left we sort of skipped dinner, ran the generator and made water.   Exciting evening!

Next morning we slept late.  Earlier, in the wee hours of the morning, we had a drenching downpour roll through.  The winds behind the front were forecast to be high, in the 20-30 mph range so I wanted to get moving early in the morning.

I took Dave into shore so he could get his car so he could drive it to Ft. Myers where we are taking the boat.   After I returned, we brought the dinghy onboard, even in the stiff winds.  And a few minutes later Kathy slipped the pendant off the boat and we motored out of Ft. Myers Beach into the little bay there where it was pretty rough.  Rough enough to take water over the bow.  Kathy, undeterred, stayed out there on the foredeck through most of it.

Kathy enjoying the wind on our way to Ft. Myers

We got to the Ft. Myers Yacht Basin and they assigned us to D dock again.  D dock is a long dock where we can tie along side.  It's in a little basin protected from the swells of the river.  It was a little dicey going into the narrow entrance because of the wave action, but we made it ok and, using the wind for a change, got the boat spun around and to the dock without an issue.  Once we were tied up it took a bit of huffing and puffing to push the boat off the dock far enough to get some fenders between the hull and the posts but we managed.

Docking at Ft. Meyers with Kath handling the bow lines

We settled in and had an early dinner.  Kathy elected to do dishes and as I came in from a short walk, she said the water was off.  The re-occurring nightmare returned.  Water pump failed so tomorrow morning I tackle that heinous job.   Meanwhile I hopped on the bike and brought 3 water jugs back from publix s we could flush toilets and brush teeth etc.  The joys …

Next morning the generator guy, Todd, from Gulf Coast Marine Electric came aboard and tweaked the generator for us.  He upped the voltage a little and adjusted the frequency and speed.   And found a loose wire and took care of that.  We ran it a few times with a load and he pronounced it fit and healthy.  Yeah!

Down that hole is where I go (rhyme unintentional) 

Now the water pump.  I installed the spare pump I had months ago.  It was working just fine when I tested it.  So I  moved the batteries back and replaced the access hatch.  Put all my tools, lights etc. away.  I was done, and without much trouble either.

Whatever curse I aimed at Neptune at some point in the past must have finally caught his attention.   Not two hours later the pump failed.  No water.

Ok, so I once again moved the batteries, hung upside down in a hole, removed the pump, made up another wiring harness and installed my other spare pump.  If any one is keeping count, this was pump number two.

I didn't even curse when it failed a few minutes later.

So Dave kindly drove  me to West Marine where I returned one of the failed pumps (I brought both of the failed pumps along not knowing which one was under warranty), purchased an extended warranty plan for $23 so that when they fail again I’ll get a new pump for free (they cost $170 now).  But then a surprise bonus!  The West Marine guy gave me another new pump for the older pump that was near out of warranty.  So now I have 2 new pumps for basically $23.  

I was on a roll.  If I were in Vegas I'm be rich.  But it will be satisfaction just to hear the sweet whirring of a new pump.     

Curse not ye Neptune lest ye find theyself upside down in a dark, wet bilge.

While Dave and I were at West Marine Greg and Dona stopped by.  So when we returned to the boat everyone was up on the fly bridge having a party.  I of course went right to work on the water pump, hanging upside down in the bilge where I could hear the laughter from two decks above.

And yes, once I had it installed it worked just fine so I figure I have 6 months with a working pump before it fails again.  I wonder though.   Will I be treated to another opportunity to install three water pumps!

Mary, Dona and Greg and Fords Garage (poor photo, sorry!)

I eventually joined everyone up on the flybridge and after a while Dave and Kathy went off into town and we (Greg, Dona, Mary and I) walked over Fords Garage after an hour and had dinner there.  Greg and Dona decided to stay on the boat instead of driving to Ft. Myers Beach the next day.  But all we had were couches.  We dug out all the extra bedding etc. and I guess everyone slept ok.  Not much else we could provide for comfort unfortunately.  They had left by the time I woke up.  I think I slept late though and Dona is one of those early risers.

We headed to Sanibel Florida with Dave and Kathy the next day to see Linda, an old  friend of Kathy's.  We had a little picnic lunch on the beach and then Dave and I went to the Dunes, golf course on the island.  Not to play, but to just hit some golf balls while Mary, Linda and Kathy soured the beach for stuff. 

Thats Dave in the dark clothes.

My rusty clubs still work!  We'll leave any analysis of my swing for later.

We eventually met up at the beach again and dropped Linda off at her place and headed back to Ft.Myers.  We stopped at the Publix there to grab some dinner.

The next day Kathy and Dave volunteered and did a great job of tidying up the boat while Mary and I showered before the gang arrived around noon.  We were having a party!

The gang are Chip and Pat, Jeff and Judy, couples we spent numerous months on the rivers as we made our way south on our Great Loop journey last year.

They all  arrived around 12;30pm and we had a great time catching up.  We headed out to lunch at, where else, Fords Garage.  Dave and Kathy joined us too and we had a riotous time telling and retelling stories from our river travels together. 

Chip and Pat are down here by car while Jeff and Judy are living on their boat in Venice and will be heading our way in a few days as they head to Ft. Lauderdale.

We finally, I think much to the relief of the Fords Garage staff, left the place and walked back to the boat where we engaged in another little party before everyone left.  Chip and Pat had to drive back to Tampa which is a quite a hike from Ft. Myers, we bid farewell  late afternoon. I don’t think we've laughed quite this much in months!  Great to see everyone again.

After they had gone we hit the Publix to stock up for the trip to Marathon.  We’ll be anchored out for about 10 days as we make our way first to Cayo Costa State Park until Monday or Tuesday, then Ft. Myers Beach for fuel and then down the west coast to the Keys.  Gotta have sufficient quantities of beverages and food stuffs!

At Cayo Costa we'll be meeting up with Dave and Joann and maybe even Jeff and Judy who'll be cruising right by there in a few days. 

We hauled ourselves out of Ft. Myers around 9am, right on schedule.  But before we left Dave and I pumped out the holding tank.   But I noticed the tank watch indicators ceased to show an empty tank.   Guess I get to look forward to removing the sensors and cleaning them. 

Smooth waters on the way to Cayo Costa

Anchored on a sand spit near the entrance to Pelican Bay

Kathy hung on the bow most of the trip and was treated to several dolphins who seemed to take an interest pity in us even though we have an inferior bow wave.  They much prefer a more curvaceous bow wave.   But today they hung with us for quite awhile riding along on our bow.  Kathy took several pictures.

We entered Pelican Bay, which is the bay where the Cayo Costa anchorage is located, and hit a small patch of shoaling where the depth sounder alarm blared for a few seconds.   We anchored near a sailboat and when Kathy went over to see how they were adjusting to us being so near them, they related how uncomfortable they were with us being so close and hoped we'd move.  No comment on naivety but we moved so they'd have a comfy night.  

I like to anchored in this spot where its 8-10 feet deep.  They were right on the middle and evidently haven't had much experience with anchorages.  Just like us a year ago.

Dave walking along the sand spit While Mary rests in the dinghy

We went to the park/beach the next day. Nice walk.  Mary found shells and we bought ice cream.  Came back and had some nice cocktail partying with the sun going down on the top deck.

Next day, same thing.  Went into the park, walked the beach came back aboard and enjoyed the sunset and David's muffins which he baked in our new oven.  Mary is so proud.

The anchorage.  Pelican Bay at Cayo Costa

Cayo Costa Beach

Generator starting acting a little nutty this morning so I’ll have to talk with the Todd, the generator tech in Ft. Myers.  We’ll have to go back there for some additional work if I cant get it to where it provides a steady voltage.  My only shot at this is to lubricate the governor/throttle linkage.

Dave and Joanne have arrived in Bokeelia which is on the north end of Pine Island.  We're hoping we'll see them tomorrow.

Had a nice weather window today so we all went to Cabbage Key.  Floyd and the other cast of animal characters were there.  We visited here last year where Floyd stole my hamburger.  This time he ate Marys burger.  

Floyd patrolling the entrance to the restaurant 

Dave at the bar.  Yes, those are dollar bills on the wall

View from the dining patio

Floyd, the well fed heron

One of several tortoises 

And it wouldn't be compete with out a few ducks

Returned to the boat right before a rain shower hit us.  Then the winds picked up out of the north and we rocked and rolled all night.

The next morning was windy.  Mary and I tried to head out to Bokeelia to see Dave and Joanne but we were taking water over the bow as we got out into the sound.  So we turned back into the anchorage and instead we went to shore and headed for the lagoon where there are gators.

I walked ahead with the idea that I could call the others to inform them of the route and if it was worth while.  I called, but no one had their phone with them.  Never made it to the lagoon either.  The trail (Osprey) led around to the shore and then along the mangrove encrusted beach with no apparent access to the lagoon.

We returned to the boat where Dave and I finished up the radar install.  All we have left to do is cut the cover plates for the holes.

Later in the afternoon we were surprised by Dave and Joanne zooming in to the anchorage.  The swells moderated enough for them to run over here.  What a great surprise! 

Moon over BeachQuest at Cayo Costa

Generator started acting up again tonight so when we get to Ft. Myers we’re getting the voltage regulator!  Leaving for Ft. Myers tomorrow around 10:30

We arrived and were assigned to D dock again.  Nice!  But before we went there to tie up we stopped for fuel and a pump out. 

Jeff and Judy's , Just Fakin It right behind us

Jeff and Judy had called us on the radio earlier telling us they were thinking of staying at the yacht basin too.  And sure they were waiting for us.  They were on D dock as well, right behind us!  We had a few drinks on board and then headed over to a Mexican place for dinner!  Fun times!  The weather was turning bad and we were snug on the dock when the rains hit that evening.  Winds picked up to.

We putzed around the next day boat enduring the heavy north winds.  Dave and I finished up the radar move project and tackled the dockside water project. 

Removed the unrepairable small radar and re-located the larger one here

We did a minimal shopping after we went to the Home Depot to buy the necessary fittings for the dockside water project.  Hit a goodwill store and then went to Publix only to turn around and head back to Goodwill to fetch Mary's purse which she left at the checkout.  We picked up lunch at Publix and subway and just stayed aboard the rest of the day.

Todd brought a new voltage regulator next morning and spent a few hours tweaking it.  Now it seems to work ok.

We decided to leave the next day so we had to cancel another Dave and Joanne lunch so we could make preparations to leave.

Recently open for business right at the dock!

I think Kathy likes her Pampano 

Kathy had found a fisherman who was selling fresh fish right on the dock so we wandered over there and nabbed a few pounds of fish, crab and shrimp.

We ate on board and then went to bed because of the early 7:30 departure. 

Entering Marco Island

Next morning we were all up, sorta, and got off the dock by 7:35.  It was a 63 mile trek to Marco Island and Smokehouse Bay which is  a wonderfully protected anchorage.  Came in there around 3:30 and relaxed on th boat before dinner.  Another golf looper couple was anchored nearby and we exchanged info on Little Shark River .  We plan to leave early tomorrow morning to catch the falling tide and have enough time to make river.  Then to Marathon the next day before the weather begins to turn bad in the evening.

We left at 7AM today, well behind journey who we talked with last night.  We left so early for two reasons.  One was to catch the tide before it fell to far.  Low tide was around 9:20 so we had some time to leave the anchorage through the narrow and sometimes shallow channel. 

The other reason is simply to beat the weather into marathon.  It supposed to get nasty late Monday night.  Today though its pretty nice and tonight the forecast is for east winds and calm seas so we’ll try and anchor off of Shark river or my favorite, Cape Sable.

A boat that had passed us yesterday followed us out this morning and we talked a bit on the radio are loosely traveling together.  They think they'll join us tonight off the cape.

Voyager with Mike and Diana from Michigan followed us to Cape Sable.  We were within a mile of the anchorage spot when his engines both quit.  We went back to stay with them until he got one going and then followed us up to the anchorage which was about 200 yards off shore and free of swells making it much calmer for him to tinker with his engines.

We invited them over for cocktails and had a wonderful time.  After they left we grilled and heard

Sunset at Cape Sable

him fire up the engines later that evening.  Our on mistake was keeping all the doors open.  Invading hordes of no-see-ums just ate me alive.  And we all were murdering mosquitoes for a good portion of the evening.  The next morning I had to spray the fly bridge there were so many mosquitoes up there. 

Note to self:  anchor half a mile off shore at Cape Sable

Next morning we were up and moving around 8am.  Voyager was running fine.  We had smooth seas for the most part until the 7 mile bridge when it started getting rough.  And then rougher as we past through the bridge.

Seven Mile Bridge and Marathon a few miles to the left

It was a relief to enter the smooth water of  Boot Key Harbor.  But it was very crowded leaving very little room for us to anchor.  We ended up anchoring by R18 and sort of poking out in the channel.  There are high winds forecast for the next few days but we seem to be anchored securely albeit pretty close to a Canadian boat, Devine.  Once we swing around to the north we’ll be out of the channel and my perfect eye measurement has us clearing the Canadian boat by at least 20 yards.

Once the anchor was set we immediately launched the dinghy and headed into the City Marina to get on the wait list for  mooring ball.  The dockmaster on duty noted our 46 foot length and wouldn’t assign us a normal (45 ft. and under ) mooring ball.  Last year they did and we were assigned a ball within two days.

We were put on the big mooring ball wait list.  In our experience these larger mooring balls are filled by boats staying for months down here.  So it may be a long wait even though we are #1 on the list.

As I was waiting for Mary I spotted Steve and Liz and sort crept up and jumped out at Steve around a corner of the laundry building.  He about had a heart attack.  But it was so good see them again!

We got our dinghy and bike tags and headed back to the boat.  It rained a little and the winds did clock round to the northwest and began to blow in earnest.  But we held just fine.   We'll see what awaits us tomorrow!

January 15-26 Cayo Costa and Ft. Meyers Beach

Sunset anchored near Alligator Creek

We dallied around until about noon today before getting the tow line on the dinghy and lifting the anchor.  Mary found a number of little crabs on the anchor and chain that seemed to enjoy being on the deck so we left them alone.  Besides they weren't all that keen on being moved anyway.

We weren't in a crowded anchorage

From where we are anchored near Alligator Creek, it was 18 miles to Cayo Costa State Park and the anchorage there, Pelican Bay.  Cloudy, and rather cool but for a 20 minute spell the sun did make an appearance and it suddenly became  really warm.  Didn't last long though.

I had loaded up an old track of ours when we had anchored here last year because the entrance can be a bit shallow.  The recommended method to enter the anchorage is to run a bearing line from red buoy #74 to sign indicating the area is a slow no wake zone.  Then you make a slight turn and run parallel to the shore for a few hundred yards before turning into the larger bay.  I followed that track and was happy to see a tour boat was pretty much following the same route we were going to take.

We spotted a tour boat leaving the anchorage area so I idled outside the channel for a few minutes so he could leave without us crowding the area of deep water.  Its narrow in there so I figured I'd be graciou and let him leave.  Of course it wasn't all altruistic.   I wanted to observe his course out so I could follow hist track back in.  I figured he knew where the deep water existed.  And I've never seen a tour boat go aground.

Entering Cayo Costa anchorage

And so in we went following what I hoped was the tour boat's course.  And we found 6 feet was the lowest depth we encountered.

Anchored!

There was a large catamaran anchored almost right where we were last year so I went in a little further, dropped the anchor  and we were secured in a few minutes. 

Tinkering with the radar

While Mary went below to nap I took apart the fly bridge radar and cleaned out all the electrical contacts.  Its been acting flaky of late and that’s usually an electrical issue since the radars are known for being very reliable.  We’ll see.

Did a few other minor chores and then sat down and read for a bit.  Seems we are grilling tonight.  Its cool, near 60 and will dip into the 50’s tonight and tomorrow night.  Luckily we have plenty of blankets and a marginal supply of rum on board so we should be fine.  Heck, we could be up north where 50 is considered a searing hot day!

Discovered, after much fiddling around, that the the flybridge radar is kaput.  No power and following the troubleshooting guide it appears to be a system board component.  So looks like we’re down to only one radar.  The parts for these old radars is pretty much non-existent.  Oh well.

Crowded dock so we had to ti up at the end

We finally took the dinghy into shore today.  It was a rather bouncy night, the anchorage being open to the north winds and just to help matters, the Peace river offers a long, long fetch for the swells to build.  I did see we could have gone deeper into the anchorage but I think it would have been marginally less bouncy.  There is a little cove we could have gone into as well but its full from what I can see and the entrance is tricky.  Since the weather is supposed to be moderating anyway we decided to just stay put.

The long road to the beach

Cayo Costa State Park charges $2 per person per day.  So we paid, and Mary hit the camp store before we headed off to the beach ¾ of  mile away.  Half way there the volunteer who drives a trucked towed people mover (truck towing a large cart with benches) pulled up to see if we wanted a ride.  Mary I went, I walked.  I got to the beach and headed to the point a few miles up the coast while Mary headed in the other direction to poke at shells.

We met back at the beach entrance path which, I should add is unmarked and easy passed by if your not careful.  We starting walking back to the docks where we left the dinghy and ran into Randy and Vicki, old cruising friends of ours who had been at the Gold Looper Rendezvous in Ft. Meyers.   They had just come into the the anchorage and were taking their dog, Heidi for a little stroll.  We talked for a while and were going to have a few drinks with them later but ended up just staying on board.

The Cayo Costa beach

Even though we were in the area, we elected not to attend the Gold Looper Rendezvous.  Now though seeing how many people we knew who had attended we probably should have gone.

This morning, well this afternoon actually, we went into shore and took a trail towards what we thought was a small alligator infested lagoon but turned out to be a private road to private homes.  It was a surprise, but there are 12 private homes in the islands interior.  Seems the state is selling the property.  And we noticed two private realtor signs.

And we found out there is a little basin where these folks keep their boats, Sellers Canal.  We tried to get in there but ended up in the shallows and couldn’t see a way through the mud flats.  That is until I actually looked at a chart and sure enough there is a narrow two foot contour line very near to shore which is the route around this point and into an area where Sellers Canal is located.  Tomorrow. 

Another day at the beach

Today we had to be content with the beach and a ride into this little pool off the main anchorage.  If the water were warm it becomes a Manatee hangout.  Now though (the water temps are 70) they've all moved to warmer waters near power plants or warm springs up the rivers.

Exploring in the dinghy

We took the dinghy out into Charlotte Harbor and then over to Gasparilla Island and then just came back.  It wasn't rough, but it wasn't warm either so with Mary bundled up like an eskimo, we just headed back across the inlet back into Pelican Bay to the boat.   Pelican Bay is the by along side Cayo Costa State Park.

Did you know Gasparilla Island is named after Jose` Gaspar and there is a major festival, the Gasparilla Pirate Festival held in Tampa.   And there is also Gasparilla Sound which runs into Charlotte Harbor.  The Peace River flows into the sound.  Here's a map.

 It was a beautiful evening.  Calm, mostly warm while the sun was still out, and plenty of boats.  In fact I'd guess 20 boats came into today.

20 boats in the anchorage and only we hung a banner!

Today is Game day.  But first we embarked on a dinghy voyage of discovery and we went off in search of a route into this little cove where I’ve seen any number of large boats go in there.  It took a few tries but I finally found a way in.  Curving around three shallow areas we made it in easily.  Next time we anchor here that’s where we’ll stay since its much more protected.

Unsurprisingly, we met several other fans strutting around the island

After, we headed into shore and Mary talked with the ranger for awhile and came away with a few shells.  We walked down by the camping area and saw a number of camping families there.  The camping facilities are bare bones.  Bathrooms, and showers are spartan to say the least.  And no electricity.  Water is located by the bathrooms and you have to carry it back to the campsites.

We walked back and I got Mary to the boat in time so that we could do a recovering job on one of the dinghy seat backs.  And then of course the beginning of the Game!

Attitude Changer on the right

I went back to shore to walk the beach while Mary vented at the TV.  And as I reached the dock I saw a boat we knew about, Attitude Changer  with Ross and Barbara .  We met them in Marathon last year and rode the bus to Key West with them. 

We had a nice catch up talk before I left the docks for the beach.  As I approached the beach, I ran into another group of Loopers .  We stopped and talked a bit and exchanged stories of Waterford, NY where we were stranded for 6 weeks last year.  Small world!

It was getting dark so I could only enjoy an abbreviated beach walk.  I made it back to the dock and savored the calm quiet scene.  Placid water, calm winds and a sunset rivaling any I've seen before.   And suddenly, the serenity of a near silent anchorage erupted in muffled, but a clearly audible string of obscenities.  Recognizing the voice, I realized the game seemed to have taken a turn for the worse.

Yes, they (thats the Packers if you couldn't guess) lost.  Ouch.

Next morning of the 20 or so boats in the anchorage, 15 left around the same time.  We were the 16^th leaving around 10am on  rising tide.  Much easier to navigate out of here on a rising tide.

We made our way down the ICW and had a momentary issue because I had initially laid in a route taking us under the 26 foot section of the Sanibel Causeway Bridge.  I would have had to take two antenna’s down which is a pain.  So we switched and went through the standard channel which is a mile or so longer but no bridges.

Entering Ft. Myers

We pulled into Fort Myers Beach and wandered around the mooring field after being told we would be on ball 59.  Well, it was way off in the distance, about 3/4 of a mile on the east end.   The numbers on the mooring balls were difficult to read and we initially hooked up to ball #58.    A boater behind us warned that ball #58 was intended for only 35 foot vessels.    Dang!  We made a perfect pick up of the pendant (the rope attached to the mooring ball which is brought up and attached to the boat) and had the boat secured in about a minute.

Approaching ball #59

Ball #59 was one over so we moved and unlike the smooth operation snagging ball #58, this one took us several tries including having to untangle a line wrapped around a Stanchion and then rigging another, additional line because we got one tangled on the handrail rail.  I’m sure it was an entertaining sight but we finally managed to sort it all out and got both a port and starboard lines on the pendant forming a bridle.  Yeah!

We hopped in the dinghy and went into the Matanzas Hotel where the mooring field office is located.  The city owns the mooring field but contracts with the Matanzas Hotel to manage the operation of it.  Paid for the mooring, and walked to another bar next door for dinner. 

The dinghy dock.  Crowded so again we end up on the end

It was cold but we ate outside.  We were warned to lock up our dinghy because there have been reported thefts here.  And we also found out there are restaurants with docks near both the CVS and Publix.  The stores are 2 and 4 miles away if we walked there.  So I was thinking we'd just tie the dinghy at the restaurant docks and head to the store.

We're way beyond the big sailing ship right-center

So back to the boat and a chilly night.

Next morning we were off to the Publix for a shopping run.  We took the dinghy down the channel a few miles and arrived at Snook Bight Marina where we tied up at the dock reserved for restaurant guests.  The restaurant, Bayfront Bistro is a fancy place.  Being naive I suppose, I told the dock hand we were going to eat there and then shop and he said no issue.  So we went up and were seated.  White table clothes.  Its been awhile since we've eaten in such a fine establishment.  We had a drink and a some hor d'oeuvres and then left for the Publix.

We stocked up since it was just across the parking lot.  But we only stocked up a little.  The prices in there were astonishing.  Some items were more than a dollar greater than the Publix in Ft. Meyers.

We hauled it all back to the dinghy and since we were coming back this way again I passed on filling up the dinghy.  We managed to get all the groceries up out of the dinghy and into the boat.  By then it was late so we just stayed aboard.

I was getting a little concerned about the boat swinging into one of the day marks along the channel bounding the mooring field.  We would swing with the current and miss the post by 6 feet.  And that was after I pulled the pendant up to one of the bow cleats and attached it directly instead of using one of our lines.  But it looked ok as long as we kept the line taught.

Fish House Restaurant

Next morning we panned to be on the way to CVS by 8.  And so at 9:30 we left the boat and dinghied our way 4.5 miles down the Matanzas channel to The Fish House Restaurant where we tied up to the restaurant docks.  And once again I felt a trifle guilty and ordered coffee while Mary walked to the CVS a block away.  I joined her after 20 minutes and found her still standing in the pickup prescription line.

After several more minutes she found me reading a guitar magazine. All the chairs were occupied and what else was there to do but read magazines.  They had the prescription right there but couldn't give it to her because they hadn't prepared it yet.  Another hour it would take so we thought screw it but relented and told them we'd wait.  They said in 30 minutes it would be ready.  So we tried to check out with al the other stuff we bought (beach chairs, beach umbrella stack etc.) but even that took 15 minutes due to the large numbers of people, some of which were a bit, well slow.  Of course when we checked out we swiped Marys debit card and put in my pin number which caused the whole transaction to fail so they had to re-scan everything.  Yes, we got those, "you slow, old people" looks.

We went back to the marina/restaurant and hung around drinking coffee and called the Clay County tax office to get some clarification on registering our other dinghy.  Yes we have two. The second, smaller one was meant to ferry dogs to the beach.  Now that we have a motor for it it must be registered.  And that of course means fees and paperwork.  ugh ...

As for the dog, well after the Bahamas.

Once we had all the registration info we went back to CVS and got in and out in five minutes.  Before, we had evidently hit the busy time when we first arrived.

We went back to the boat stopping to fuel up at the marina near the "Publix". and then got back to our boat and packed it up with beach paraphernalia.  We were headed over Sanibel Island to see Dave and Kathy, Susan, Aunt Laura, and Mark and Amy.  And Colin, Kathy and Dave's grandson.

We had to traverse a long, channel in order to get out into the Gulf.   And it was, for the most part, a slow speed zone except for a short 1/2 segment.  So instead of zipping right out into the Gulf, we had to putter along the shore for 30 minutes.  Once out there though it was a quick  ride to the beaches of Sanibel where we anchored the dinghy in front of their condo and had a little beach party.

I took Colin and Susan out for a short dinghy spin.  Even got Colin to drive as we returned to the beach.

Sanibel Beach Party

We had to decline the offer for dinner, wanting to get back before the evening winds kicked up the swell on the Gulf.  So we left around 5ish.

Got back to the boat and grilled chicken.

Next morning as is our normal routine, I run the generator for a few hours to re-charge the battery bank.  Lately though it been acting a little funky only putting out 90 volts for several minutes.  It's supposed to be 120 volts.   So I called a tech place and made arrangements for them to check it out when we're in Ft. Meyers next week.

Dont recall boats like this around Oconomowoc

We decided to hang out on the Fort Meyers Beach.  So we again packed the dinghy and headed out taking 30 minutes to get into the Gulf.   On the way during our slow ride along the shore,  we noticed a large yacht, No Vacancy.  With a home port of Oconomowoc!  Weird.

We ran along the beach for a few miles, past the pier and pulled into the beach where the crowds of beach goers wasn't so oppressive.  There are a lot of people down here!   We deployed the anchor and set up our little beach area complete with umbrella, and two beach chairs (new from CVS!).  We read, and took a few walks, one back to the pier and then DQ there for ice cream.

Our little beach spot

Around 4pm the sun was getting low so we reversed the unloading process and took off down the beach to the inlet and into the Matanzas channel to the boat.  Great sunset!

We finally got the small dinghy registration form filled out and I went back to shore to mail it.  On the way though I went by this other boat we knew we saw somewhere and since the owner was aboard I stopped and talked with him for a few minutes.  Turns out he was from Oconto, Wisconsin and Hi Seas Marina where we had kept a boat for a few years.  He even knew Pat and Ernie who owned the marina back when we were there.   A rapidly shrinking world at least for us.

I eventually made it to shore and mailed the letter before returning to the boat.   Mary made some stir fry and we ate, ran the generator and went to bed.  Terribly exciting night life we have..

Next morning we went  into shore to do laundry.  Ironically we met the couple from Oconto there along with another Oconto couple.  We spent awhile reminiscing!  Also had a conversation with Buluga, a sailboat couple Russ and Kathy.  Fun People.   We spent several hour doing laundry, giving us time for a walk and a stop at the local hardware store where I didn't buy any hardware but Mary bought a tootsie pop.

We eventually made it back to the laundry and decided to just eat at the Matanzas.  Ok, food but its right on the water so you pay for the ambiance I guess.

During the night the weather, as predicated, got worse.  Clouds, a few rain showers and escalating winds out of the north west.  Luckily we had shortened up our attachment to the mooring ball pendant because I noticed when we swung with the tides we were within 6 feet of one of the daymark along the north channel.  And with these northwest winds, we'd have banged the darn day mark for sure.

The morning saw winds in excess of 25 mph so the waves here were particularly boisterous.  The wind was blowing from the northwest while the tidal currents were in opposition.  Lots of swell and confused seas.  But we took the dinghy down to the marina near the publix anyway.  It was fine going there, not so much on the return trip.  Very wet ride back to the boat.  We were soaked.  So were the groceries.

Loaded and ready to take Dave and Kathy back to the boat

After we returned and off loaded the groceries, I went in to shore to get Dave and Kathy, but the dinghy dock was full as usual.  Worse though, were the rough conditions, a consequence of the high winds and opposing current.  There was no way we could have loaded the dinghy there.  So I had to sacrifice and pull next door to the Matanzas restaurant /bar and sip a few drinks waiting for them to show up.  Had a pleasant conversation  with a couple from Arkansas who were reluctantly heading back home the next day.  And yes, the restaurant is quite insistent that you aren't allowed tie up to their protected dock unless your spending money in the restaurant.  

  

Perfect.  Overnight parking and a liquor store

Dave and Kathy showed up soon after and we had a drink before loading up the dinghy.   Dave took  his car to a  parking lot where it could be left overnight.    We bounced our way back to the boat where Mary was making taco salad.  We had a few drinks, ate and watched a little TV while the generator was running.  Should be a cool tonight as the winds die down so it'll be a good evening. 

Dave and Kathy.

Tomorrow morning we leave for Ft. Meyers to meet the generator repair man.   Aren't you lucky Dave and Kathy.  Generator repair experiences are a rarity! :-)