Cape Sable to Islamorada

December 8,2015

Tuesday 

Miles traveled 40

Total miles traveled-1678

Day 88

Sorry folks, I'm almost a month behind in blogging.. We arrived in the Keys on December 8th.. We are so excited to be here and see the friends we left behind down here.. 

The day we left Cape Sanle was over cast and raining on again off again. No dinghy ride in the morning for Buster.. We were anxious to get to the Keys..Buster has his tickle turf but still won't use it..

The waters were calm.. And the crab traps abundant ..

Before turning off the ICW into the marina we were greeted by a dolphin.. More smiles

We were prepared to anchor out from the marina if the rain was heavy and the winds tricky... But there was a slight window of easy docking.. 

We got tied up .. When it began to rain again.. We are so Jazzed to Make it to PYH   Back with our "tribe"

Marco Island to Cape Sable (anchorage)

December 7,2015

Monday

Miles travel-42

Total miles traveled-1638

Day 86

We never lost sight of land but we did loose sight of civilization. We got a little rain but the seas were calm. We dropped anchor, then took Buster ashore!

Very peaceful and loaded with shells.

I gathered a few shells as keepsake.

Sunset was beautiful. 

On this day, we honor those at Pearl Harbor, but also my Dad. His ashes were scattered to the winds while George Burns sang "Old Bones" Mack Davis sang"Hard to be Humble " ukulele played "Amazing Grace " and "I'll get by"

Dads flower trail

ashes... Love you Dad...

Ft Myers (Salty Sam's) to Marco Island (Rose Marina)

December 3,2015

Thursday 

Miles traveled-42

Total miles traveled-1596

Also December 4,5,6

Days 82,83,84,85

I'm behind on this blog by a couple of weeks so I need to think back and share. As I recall it was overcast or raining much of the time in Marco. But we timed it just right to walk to the store and explore around our area.

It's a nice area and many little upscale shops. And it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas. With a Nautical twist.

Cute shops and marina at Espenadas. Also one of the places they said would be packed to watch the boat parade.

We opted to stay at the marina and see what we could see.

We had front row viewing.. 

We ended up staying an extra day or two before heading south into the Mangroves.there would be no marinas or places to stop other than to anchor out before reaching the Keys.

Island life.. Here we come!

Burnt Store Marina (Punta Gorda) to Salty Sam's Marina (Ft Myers)

December 2,2016

Wedsnday 

Miles traveled 42.7

Total miles traveled-1554

Day 81

We really liked our time here at Burnt ️Store Marina. If offered much.. Other than shopping.

More bridges

And feathered greeters.

Dock side restaurants were decorated for Christmas.

Another port with a pirate ship

And a pirate tree.

A fun photo opportunity .

It's getting more and more tropical

And looking more like Christmas!

We even found a string of lights to join in the festivities .

A Pool and Hot Tub at Punta Gorda

December 1,2015

Tuesday

Miles traveled-0

Day 80

It was a beautiful marina and great place to relax 

Sunrise was great and walking Buster was easy. Nice reflexion on the pond.

This little Palm tree got special treatment with this walkway 

Knot Yet looks pretty nice at this marina

This Hot Tub and Pool were wonderful!!

Both were heated and an easy walk from the boat 

Sarasota to Burnt Store Marina , Punta Gorda

November 30th,2015

Monday

Miles traveled-59

Total miles traveled-1511.3

Day 79

Sarasota was nice .. But it's time to head to Punta Gorda. We had some big and fancy yachts near us at the marina.

Waterfront property in this area are elegant .

 And this glass house was amazing !! 

This was more my style. But I'm sure way out of my price range.. Fun to look!!

There was plenty to look at along this stretch of the ICW.

Even a plain ugly building was painted to show there towns history.. 

We had at least a dozen Bruges to go under or through..  There were a couple of 9' swing bridges . And the bridge operators were accommodating... Except one... Always checking our clearance . Kind of close... But we made it.

Old bridge9'.. New bridge(under construction) 24' both swing... Only opened at certain times.. We had a 40 minute wait ... Not too bad I have heard others who waited 2 hours or better for this bridge... What's Ya gonna do... Drop anchor grad a bite to eat.. Chillax...

This old bridge is for the birds now

These gals don't have to concern themselves with bridges.

Or this guy.

Must be a good fishing spot.. Even the bird likes it.

Some just come for the coffee and view.

These guys come for the fun!!!

It is such a thrill to watch them.. And they're watching us.. Without a doubt!

 This group had a few young(smaller) with them.

Burnt Store Marina is very nice.. 

Not too busy the two nights we were there. Their restaurant is an easy walk.

Sheryl Corso and her husband John have lived in Punta Gorda since 1999. We have known them our children were in Preschool in  Montesory in Webster NY.

It's been a few years since we last saw them it was a real treat to catch up with them tonight!

They too have been involved with boating over their years. They keep their boat up at their summer home up in the Thousand Islands now.. Hopefully we will see them up there in 2017.