We snuck away quietly from Karen's dock at about 6:45 this morning. It was a tight turn around in the canal, but Ray did perfect. Thankfully the Atlantic waters smoothed as the day went on once we exited Sisters Creek. They were predicted to be one to three footers so we were going to try to stay as close to shore as possible. Remember, add them together, and this time they were on the port stern, making it a little rolly. Ray thought they would get better once we were beyond the Seven Mile Bridge. The seas flow under the bridge creating quite a current. He was right. When we crossed the Bahia Honda Channel though it got quite bumpy, again because of the flow through action between the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. It continually subsided after that, especially when the wind direction changed, which was not predicted but helped us. When they switched to Northwest the islands helped to block it.
We pulled into Stock Island Marina just after 1:00 p.m. after 46 miles, most of which we have never traveled before. Bill and Patty were here to grab our lines and greet us. They had already text to ask if we wanted to go dinghying after our arrival. We thought that sounded good, especially if we could get in the water to cool off.
We were not here long at all when we headed out along with Patty's sister Annette and her husband Barney to the sandbar. It is just a shallow spot of sand just east of here where boats go to anchor and wade in the water. It felt good. After a while when Barney could not make Annette a drink because he forgot the vodka he thought he brought, we decided to dinghy over to Hurricane Hole just to the west of the marina. We recognized places we have been by land. It always looks so different by water. Ray and I went ahead and had dinner while we were there. It was a great place to watch people and fish with fishing boats, rental boats, a dive shop, tarpon, etc. all right there. By the time we dinghied out of there we just barely caught the cloud covered sunset.
We're looking forward to this new adventure here so close to Key West. We plan on staying a month before we return to Marathon whenever the weather is right at that time.
Friday, November 20, 2015
Thursday, November 19, 2015
Chicken Pox
Happy 52nd birthday to Ray! How exciting. He got to wake up in Little Shark River in the middle of the Everglades Swamp. Nothing but wildlife. I did make him French Toast for breakfast.
I thought it would be a better idea to wait until the sun was up before we pulled up anchor. That way the bugs would not be so bad. So at 7:00 a.m. we headed out. We could barely get everything done that needed to be done. We were being eaten alive by No Seeums. I mean there were swarms of them. I'm trying to get all of the electronics on, steer the boat the way Ray is telling me to go as he is lifting the anchor, put a towel over shoulders to try to protect myself some, getting it caught in the steering wheel, all while swatting everywhere. Head, legs, arms. As soon as Ray could see the anchor he hollered for me to GO! The guy in the other boat at anchor was on his dinghy/fishing boat bragging to us that they were not bothering him. He had a full screened jacket and bee keeper hat/hood on. It took quite a while for them to dissipate. The floor beneath my feet was literally polka dotted with them. We both had bites all over us that looked like Chicken Pox for a couple of hours. We keep swearing we are not going to go there again, but there are not many choices. Next time we might try Indian Key.
At least the waves weren't bad. Maybe about one footers all day. Dodging the crab traps was the worst part once we got away from the bugs.
We pulled into Boot Key Harbor and stopped at Burdines fuel dock. We decided to put about 30 gallons of diesel in the starboard side. We have run the generator all night almost every night we have been at anchor because it has been so warm and humid, even at night. That depleted the fuel from the starboard tank enough to make us list a little bit. We also wanted to get the free ice you get when you get fuel. They are willing to give you about two laundry baskets full. We couldn't even fit one, but we were glad our beer would be cold once we got to our destination and we could start celebrating Ray's birthday.
We pulled away from Burdines at 2:30 p.m., traveled through Boot Key Harbor and the canals to our friend Karen's dock. She was so gracious to let us have full accommodations including a pool and transportation when we tied up behind her house at 3:00 p.m. after 52 miles of travel.
Since it is Ray's day, he wanted to go to Sunset Grille for a prime rib dinner. At about 4:30 p.m. Karen drove us there after picking up Terese. Mike and Cheri met us there too. It's great to see winter friends again! The table we wanted wasn't available. Mike said that he thought the prime rib was better and cheaper at Florida Steak and Lobster House during the early bird special and you get dessert included. We all loaded up and backtracked. Ray said it was not as good, but still enjoyed it. We continued the night without Mike and Cheri at Dockside for some music. Jay and Nancy and Chuck and Catherine joined us there.
I thought it would be a better idea to wait until the sun was up before we pulled up anchor. That way the bugs would not be so bad. So at 7:00 a.m. we headed out. We could barely get everything done that needed to be done. We were being eaten alive by No Seeums. I mean there were swarms of them. I'm trying to get all of the electronics on, steer the boat the way Ray is telling me to go as he is lifting the anchor, put a towel over shoulders to try to protect myself some, getting it caught in the steering wheel, all while swatting everywhere. Head, legs, arms. As soon as Ray could see the anchor he hollered for me to GO! The guy in the other boat at anchor was on his dinghy/fishing boat bragging to us that they were not bothering him. He had a full screened jacket and bee keeper hat/hood on. It took quite a while for them to dissipate. The floor beneath my feet was literally polka dotted with them. We both had bites all over us that looked like Chicken Pox for a couple of hours. We keep swearing we are not going to go there again, but there are not many choices. Next time we might try Indian Key.
At least the waves weren't bad. Maybe about one footers all day. Dodging the crab traps was the worst part once we got away from the bugs.
We pulled into Boot Key Harbor and stopped at Burdines fuel dock. We decided to put about 30 gallons of diesel in the starboard side. We have run the generator all night almost every night we have been at anchor because it has been so warm and humid, even at night. That depleted the fuel from the starboard tank enough to make us list a little bit. We also wanted to get the free ice you get when you get fuel. They are willing to give you about two laundry baskets full. We couldn't even fit one, but we were glad our beer would be cold once we got to our destination and we could start celebrating Ray's birthday.
We pulled away from Burdines at 2:30 p.m., traveled through Boot Key Harbor and the canals to our friend Karen's dock. She was so gracious to let us have full accommodations including a pool and transportation when we tied up behind her house at 3:00 p.m. after 52 miles of travel.
Since it is Ray's day, he wanted to go to Sunset Grille for a prime rib dinner. At about 4:30 p.m. Karen drove us there after picking up Terese. Mike and Cheri met us there too. It's great to see winter friends again! The table we wanted wasn't available. Mike said that he thought the prime rib was better and cheaper at Florida Steak and Lobster House during the early bird special and you get dessert included. We all loaded up and backtracked. Ray said it was not as good, but still enjoyed it. We continued the night without Mike and Cheri at Dockside for some music. Jay and Nancy and Chuck and Catherine joined us there.
Wednesday, November 18, 2015
Handed to Us
We had a fun and relaxing extra day in Marco Island. We walked up to West Marine from Rose Marina where you can dinghy dock for $5.00 per day. I got some fishing supplies to replace all that was lost on Monday. They did not have a circuit breaker like we need for the macerator pump though, and we forgot to check about a cup for the First Mate's seat. Napa didn't have the circuit breaker either, but they did have an in-line fuse for our Auto Pilot replacement parts coming.
We decided we would go to Snook's for dinner, looking forward to the lobster macaroni and cheese. This is the first place we ever had it. We were disappointed to find out it was no longer on the menu. So we just had an appetizer and went back to Marco Island Brewery but we didn't have pizza this time.
At 6:30 this morning Ray lifted the anchor by hand once again. We traveled through the marked channel among the mangroves by Goodland and out Coon Key Pass. We thought this way would help keep us closer to shore so the waves wouldn't be so bad. Remember we stayed that extra day in Marco Island so we wouldn't have to do it in Little Shark River in order to make Thursday and Friday's travel days better. We didn't say today would be okay, right? The seas were predicted to be two to three feet with an occasional four footer. All boaters say that you should add those together. That was probably close to true. The good thing was that the waves were directly at the bow. The bad thing was that we had to slow down to be able to ride them. It took us almost 12 hours to go 61 miles. It was like riding a bull for almost that long without the spinning. Therefore we saw sunrise and sunset.
We got into Little Shark River at about 6:00 p.m. There was already a boat in there. We presumed it was one we saw closer to shore today. Ray dropped the anchor and as soon as we thought it was set we went below deck to escape the bugs. We ended up running the generator all night as the winds laid down and the humidity was stifling. It took us a little while to get the air conditioners running. You see, on a boat air conditioners pick up the sea water and cycle it through for the cooling process. That pick up/intake is at about mid-ship for us. If you get air in that pick up line it creates a vacuum and they will not work. That is exactly what happened. We came so far out of the water on the waves that air got into that line. This is the second time this has ever happened to us.
We decided we would go to Snook's for dinner, looking forward to the lobster macaroni and cheese. This is the first place we ever had it. We were disappointed to find out it was no longer on the menu. So we just had an appetizer and went back to Marco Island Brewery but we didn't have pizza this time.
At 6:30 this morning Ray lifted the anchor by hand once again. We traveled through the marked channel among the mangroves by Goodland and out Coon Key Pass. We thought this way would help keep us closer to shore so the waves wouldn't be so bad. Remember we stayed that extra day in Marco Island so we wouldn't have to do it in Little Shark River in order to make Thursday and Friday's travel days better. We didn't say today would be okay, right? The seas were predicted to be two to three feet with an occasional four footer. All boaters say that you should add those together. That was probably close to true. The good thing was that the waves were directly at the bow. The bad thing was that we had to slow down to be able to ride them. It took us almost 12 hours to go 61 miles. It was like riding a bull for almost that long without the spinning. Therefore we saw sunrise and sunset.
We got into Little Shark River at about 6:00 p.m. There was already a boat in there. We presumed it was one we saw closer to shore today. Ray dropped the anchor and as soon as we thought it was set we went below deck to escape the bugs. We ended up running the generator all night as the winds laid down and the humidity was stifling. It took us a little while to get the air conditioners running. You see, on a boat air conditioners pick up the sea water and cycle it through for the cooling process. That pick up/intake is at about mid-ship for us. If you get air in that pick up line it creates a vacuum and they will not work. That is exactly what happened. We came so far out of the water on the waves that air got into that line. This is the second time this has ever happened to us.
Monday, November 16, 2015
Where did these winds come from?
Last Monday night we went to The Lighthouse as we usually do for their Happy Hour. We decided to try their pizza for once but it was pretty disappointing though edible. Ray got picked up at 5:00 Tuesday morning and had a successful boat delivery of a 58 foot Bertram from Ft. Lauderdale to Ft. Myers returning on Friday of last week. Meanwhile Linda enjoyed herself at Ft. Myers Beach. A walk was enjoyed each day but the temperatures and humidity were so high that the afternoons were spent inside the boat in the air conditioning. A couple of puzzles were assembled from the boaters lounge despite the missing and mixed up pieces. On Thursday Carolyn and Jeff pulled in from Venice with "Liberty" around 4:30 in the afternoon. They got settled in once they let the three dogs off to do their business after holding it all day. We relaxed outside eating peanuts and washing them down with adult beverages. After dark I dinghied them over to Bonita Bills for some good music and dinner. Of course adult beverages continued.
We made a trip to Walmart Friday morning after Carolyn brought me a delicious homemade breakfast. Soon after our return to the marina Ray was ready to be picked up in Ft. Myers so we headed back out. By evening Carolyn had still not fully recuperated from the night before so it was just us and Jeff that went to dinner at the Mantanzas Inn Restaurant. That ended up being one of our best meals in Ft. Myers Beach. Now we know.
On Friday night the cold front came in as predicted. Thankfully the temperatures and humidity dropped, but boy did the winds pick up. We had paid for a week at Moss Marina and it was time for us to go. The daily rates were so ridiculous compared to the weekly rate. A mooring ball is much cheaper. We debated our decision for a while though. We were inside a small basin in the marina with a sailboat on our leeward side. With lines wrapped around pilings to hold us tight to pivot and Jeff on Carolyn's soft side dinghy pushing our bow like a tug boat, we got out of there with no problems. We picked up mooring ball 23 for who knew how long. We paid for two nights trying to be optimistic. That afternoon we all bar hopped and ate pizza on the Upper Deck. Not the best ever, but it was okay.
Sunday afternoon we all decided to walk the beach even though we were afraid we were going to get sandblasted the way the winds were blowing in the harbor. We were amazed at how calm it was on the beach. With the east winds it was very pleasant and the Gulf was smoother. That helped us to confirm that we would most likely leave Ft. Myers Beach on Monday. Meanwhile we ended up at this little biker bar where they were ending a Poker Run benefiting Toys for Tots. It was fun, entertaining, and they had the coldest beer, although in a can, in their old fashioned wooden coolers. We made our way to a couple more places all saying that the biker bar was better. For dinner we decided on Doc Fords. Jeff had never been there despite reading the series of books. We had a wonderful time. We met Judy who was at the end of the bar by herself but decided to stay when we four clowns showed up. She looked like Ray's mom when we approached. She said she wanted to enjoy our company rather than go home to an empty house since her husband had passed away about a year ago. Of course Jeff could relate. Her husband lost a leg to smoking before succumbing to lung cancer all in a matter of four months. We could relate to that from Ray's father. After Judy left we watched the end of the Giants/Patriots game. That was exciting and Carolyn was happy with the outcome. The couple on the other side of us started up conversation with us during that time. Upon introductions we learned her name was Linda. Just the day before, although I often do, I thought how I have never met a Linda younger than me. Now I have. Her boyfriend touted on how Linda was a good name. We then told them that was Jeff's wife's name. I think there were a whole lot of spirits with us that night to remind us so much of them.
This morning we decided to go for it. We untied from mooring ball 23 at 6:45 a.m. We said if it was too rough when we got to the Gulf we would turn around. It was not bad at all. We then said if it got worse we would go in at Naples and take the inside route. The waves were barely two foot at worst with just a few hitting us just right to get our attention and splash up onto the helm. By the time we got closer to shore near Naples the waves weren't even six inches so we continued on the outside to Marco Island to anchor around 1:00 p.m. after 41 miles of travel. I did some fishing while Ray did some napping before dinghying in to shore for dinner. Finally some good pizza at Marco Island Brewery.
Upon checking the weather again we decided we would stay in Marco for an extra night rather than in Shark River tomorrow. The weather for continuing on to Marathon looks better if we wait one more day.
We made a trip to Walmart Friday morning after Carolyn brought me a delicious homemade breakfast. Soon after our return to the marina Ray was ready to be picked up in Ft. Myers so we headed back out. By evening Carolyn had still not fully recuperated from the night before so it was just us and Jeff that went to dinner at the Mantanzas Inn Restaurant. That ended up being one of our best meals in Ft. Myers Beach. Now we know.
On Friday night the cold front came in as predicted. Thankfully the temperatures and humidity dropped, but boy did the winds pick up. We had paid for a week at Moss Marina and it was time for us to go. The daily rates were so ridiculous compared to the weekly rate. A mooring ball is much cheaper. We debated our decision for a while though. We were inside a small basin in the marina with a sailboat on our leeward side. With lines wrapped around pilings to hold us tight to pivot and Jeff on Carolyn's soft side dinghy pushing our bow like a tug boat, we got out of there with no problems. We picked up mooring ball 23 for who knew how long. We paid for two nights trying to be optimistic. That afternoon we all bar hopped and ate pizza on the Upper Deck. Not the best ever, but it was okay.
Sunday afternoon we all decided to walk the beach even though we were afraid we were going to get sandblasted the way the winds were blowing in the harbor. We were amazed at how calm it was on the beach. With the east winds it was very pleasant and the Gulf was smoother. That helped us to confirm that we would most likely leave Ft. Myers Beach on Monday. Meanwhile we ended up at this little biker bar where they were ending a Poker Run benefiting Toys for Tots. It was fun, entertaining, and they had the coldest beer, although in a can, in their old fashioned wooden coolers. We made our way to a couple more places all saying that the biker bar was better. For dinner we decided on Doc Fords. Jeff had never been there despite reading the series of books. We had a wonderful time. We met Judy who was at the end of the bar by herself but decided to stay when we four clowns showed up. She looked like Ray's mom when we approached. She said she wanted to enjoy our company rather than go home to an empty house since her husband had passed away about a year ago. Of course Jeff could relate. Her husband lost a leg to smoking before succumbing to lung cancer all in a matter of four months. We could relate to that from Ray's father. After Judy left we watched the end of the Giants/Patriots game. That was exciting and Carolyn was happy with the outcome. The couple on the other side of us started up conversation with us during that time. Upon introductions we learned her name was Linda. Just the day before, although I often do, I thought how I have never met a Linda younger than me. Now I have. Her boyfriend touted on how Linda was a good name. We then told them that was Jeff's wife's name. I think there were a whole lot of spirits with us that night to remind us so much of them.
This morning we decided to go for it. We untied from mooring ball 23 at 6:45 a.m. We said if it was too rough when we got to the Gulf we would turn around. It was not bad at all. We then said if it got worse we would go in at Naples and take the inside route. The waves were barely two foot at worst with just a few hitting us just right to get our attention and splash up onto the helm. By the time we got closer to shore near Naples the waves weren't even six inches so we continued on the outside to Marco Island to anchor around 1:00 p.m. after 41 miles of travel. I did some fishing while Ray did some napping before dinghying in to shore for dinner. Finally some good pizza at Marco Island Brewery.
Upon checking the weather again we decided we would stay in Marco for an extra night rather than in Shark River tomorrow. The weather for continuing on to Marathon looks better if we wait one more day.
Saturday, November 7, 2015
No Pot of Gold
We had a fun filled three days in Venice. Lots of laughs with Jeff and Carolyn. They were kind enough to take us to the grocery store, lunch, traveling around running errands with them, happy hours and dinners. Of course we had to spend some time at Jeff's favorite, Snake Island, while Carolyn stayed back and made us a wonderful Prime Rib dinner on Thursday night. We appreciate all of their kindness and hospitality. We wanted them to follow us today, but the fretter was not convinced they were ready enough. We hope they will be behind us shortly.
At 6:45 a.m. we untied from the free dock in Venice, where we had no problem staying for three nights despite the sign posted that stated no mooring between midnight and 6:00 a.m. There were actually three boats there for last night. I was not feeling well after one too many pumpkin beers yesterday evening, so I drove in the hopes that I would not have to move around much. A couple of naps and I was feeling better by early afternoon. I was glad to be back to "normal" for the short ride in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A storm was to our west building up the waves a little bit so they were mostly on our beam.
Once inside the protected harbor of Ft. Myers Beach everything was calm and we barely got a spit of rain on the boat despite seeing several areas of storm clouds around us. We pulled into slip B6 at Moss Marina after 64 miles and almost ten hours of travel. We usually grab a mooring ball here, but next week Ray has a boat delivery job from Ft. Lauderdale to Ft. Myers so I will be here alone for a few days. Ray was more concerned than I, but then did make a good point ~ it has been record high temperatures down here since we crossed the Gulf last week. Even while anchored and tied to the free dock we have had to run the generator and air conditioning during the night. Ray estimated that cost to be about $12.00 per night. With that on top of the $15.00 per night mooring ball fee, he decided it was not that much more money to dock and have electricity and water. We will be here at least a week. If next Saturday the weather is not good enough to continue south we will most likely wait on a mooring ball until it is.
At 6:45 a.m. we untied from the free dock in Venice, where we had no problem staying for three nights despite the sign posted that stated no mooring between midnight and 6:00 a.m. There were actually three boats there for last night. I was not feeling well after one too many pumpkin beers yesterday evening, so I drove in the hopes that I would not have to move around much. A couple of naps and I was feeling better by early afternoon. I was glad to be back to "normal" for the short ride in the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico. A storm was to our west building up the waves a little bit so they were mostly on our beam.
 |
| Picture does not do it justice, but we could actually see the end of this rainbow on the water as we entered Ft. Myers Beach. |
Wednesday, November 4, 2015
Fresh Water Rinse
It was four nights at anchor in Redington Shores. On Sunday Ray's childhood friends Scott and Kevin came to have lunch with us. On Monday we drove over to Orlando to visit Noelle and Abbie. On Tuesday William and Judy came to anchor with us on "Optimystique". A trolley ride and walk to lunch at Mike's Pizza at about 1:00 p.m. along with "The Bar-B" continued into a stop at Lulu's to quench our thirst from the hot walk back to the trolley that took us to Wahoo's into dinner. Scott came to see us again along with his girlfriend Lisa, Barbara's daughter Heidi also joined us when she got off of work. It was a fun time that lasted a little too late into the night.
Therefore we did not make first light this morning. William was ribbing us a little bit about that but said second light was okay. At 7:30 a.m. Ray pulled up the muddy anchor by hand again. We still have not been able to get the windlass off despite continuous attempts, even again today while underway. We cruised along trying to keep an average seven mile per hour speed. Tampa Bay was probably the smoothest we have ever been across it.
Just about the time we got to Sarasota it started raining. We wanted it. We had not been able to wash the salt off the boat yet since the Gulf crossing and it's a mess. When it really poured at the south end of Sarasota Bay Ray got out there in his bathing suit, put some soap on the scrub pad and washed it the best he could with the help of the good Lord.
After that it was even steamier outside. They are breaking record high temperatures around here and the humidity is just ridiculous. We continued on sweating all the way.
Once we were through our last bridge opening of two today we called Jeff on "Jeremiah" to let him know we were close to Venice. At about 4:45 p.m. he dinghied over and showed us how to navigate into the free dock after 61 miles of travel for us today. We caught up on how everyone's summer went.
After the sun went down and helped to cool it off a little bit we followed Jeff in our dinghy over to his house so he could take the dogs back. Then the three of us hopped in our dinghy to have dinner at Pops with Jeff guiding us with his local knowledge through the mangroves. Carolyn from Maryland met us there via car. We had a lovely late evening again before dinghying back.
We will stay here at the free dock until Saturday or until they kick us off.
Therefore we did not make first light this morning. William was ribbing us a little bit about that but said second light was okay. At 7:30 a.m. Ray pulled up the muddy anchor by hand again. We still have not been able to get the windlass off despite continuous attempts, even again today while underway. We cruised along trying to keep an average seven mile per hour speed. Tampa Bay was probably the smoothest we have ever been across it.
Just about the time we got to Sarasota it started raining. We wanted it. We had not been able to wash the salt off the boat yet since the Gulf crossing and it's a mess. When it really poured at the south end of Sarasota Bay Ray got out there in his bathing suit, put some soap on the scrub pad and washed it the best he could with the help of the good Lord.
After that it was even steamier outside. They are breaking record high temperatures around here and the humidity is just ridiculous. We continued on sweating all the way.
Once we were through our last bridge opening of two today we called Jeff on "Jeremiah" to let him know we were close to Venice. At about 4:45 p.m. he dinghied over and showed us how to navigate into the free dock after 61 miles of travel for us today. We caught up on how everyone's summer went.
After the sun went down and helped to cool it off a little bit we followed Jeff in our dinghy over to his house so he could take the dogs back. Then the three of us hopped in our dinghy to have dinner at Pops with Jeff guiding us with his local knowledge through the mangroves. Carolyn from Maryland met us there via car. We had a lovely late evening again before dinghying back.
We will stay here at the free dock until Saturday or until they kick us off.
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