Spring 2022

We had plans. Several. Turns out the first couple didn't work out. Initially, we thought about returning to the Bahamas, which never materialized due to the Covid testing rules that seemed to change on a weekly basis making it frustrating to even think about island hopping which was our usual routine. Scratch the Bahamas. Next we discussed traveling up the East Coast with fellow boaters Dan and Sharon aboard Rhumbline. Our other traveling companions, Jack & Carol on Toucana and Tony & Kaaren aboard Peacock had decided to head south to the Keys. They left in mid-April.  We had all good intentions of leaving around the same time but Rhumbline had boat issues that delayed our initial departure. So, Jeff and I took off north to Sarasota for 10 days just to get out on the water. We went to the Venice Yacht Club and met up with local friends, Bruce & Ellen, there for dinner. The following day we left for the Bird Key Yacht Club in Sarasota and stayed for two nights. It became our goal to find FCYC reciprocal clubs to explore, something we really hadn't taken advantage of much. We walked to St. Armands Circle, shopped and had lunch. It was quite warm and Cappy had to rest in the shady grass on our way back. He enjoyed being carried on the final stretch.

Landing gear is down

ICW approaching Venice

Leaving Venice

The picnic sand bar just inside the Venice Inlet

Downtown Sarasota from Bird Key

The next day we motored to Long Boat Key and anchored on the north end, near Mar Vista a nice restaurant on the water. Unfortunately, they no longer allow dogs on the property, so we took our lunch back to the boat. We dinghied to a beach on the north side so Cappy could run and splash to his heart's content. Next stop was the Field Club, an historic club with an interesting story. The grounds are beautiful as is the club, which was once the winter home of Stanley and Sara Field, of the Marshall Field retail store in Chicago. We enjoyed a delicious lunch and walked the well kept grounds. When the property was sold, it was specified that it could only be used as a club. To read this interesting piece of Sarasota history, check this link: The Field Club history and this one: Field Club history

Where are the fisherman?

Looking for handouts

The Field Club

Courtyard

We headed back south the next morning, down the ICW and anchored at Don Pedro, a barrier island state park with a nice beach for the night. In the morning we hopped over to Pelican Bay, a favorite anchorage near home. Several of our boating friends were there already and we enjoyed a wonderful Easter breakfast onboard Bob & Mary Jane's boat, Julie Christine. One more stop for us before heading home was Captiva Yacht Club. We've been there before and love the fact that we can walk across the street to the beach. Our friends aboard Toucana came to Captiva on their way south to the Keys and we were able to have lunch together on April 19th before we wished each other well and left in opposite directions.

Mark & Helene, Bob & Mary Jane

The beach at Don Pedro State Park

Bob and Mary Jane

Wet, sandy Cappy

Jeff and I had plans to fly to CT on May 6th for a dear friend's celebration of life gathering and booked a flight out of Orlando, which seemed like a central location to reach from wherever we might be on the East Coast then. Turned out we were still at home and decided it wasn't worth heading out until after our flight so we waited until the 10th to depart with our friends Dan & Sharon. Boats all set to go, our plans changed. Again. With our shortened travel schedule, we scrapped our plans for the East Coast and left for the Keys as our friends had done earlier. Finally. We were on our way. First stop, Captiva. Next stop was Rose Marina in Marco Island. Further south to New Turkey Key, part of the 10,000 Islands that stretch from Marco Island to Cape Sable, where we anchored for the night. We found some shells and a port-a-potty, a rather unusual sight on a tiny slip of land. 

Shells from New Turkey Key

Sunset at New Turkey Key

We learned that our friends on Toucana & Peacock would be at  the Marathon Yacht Club on the 13th, 14th & 15th. So, we all gathered there for a few days and I was "surprised" with a dinner reservation for all of us at the Florida Keys Steak and Lobster House, a fantastic restaurant we had never been to. On the way, we were graced by a family of dolphins who wanted to play in our wakes. What a great way to turn 70! With escort dolphins and special friends helping to celebrate. The dessert was amazing! 

Carol and I walked to the Turtle Hospital and were guided on a tour by a very talented educator. We learned about some of the diseases/injuries that are treated there. Quite interesting and informative.  A link to their website to learn more is here. Thanks for the birthday treat Carol!

 

An amazing birthday celebration with friends. From back to front: 
Me, Carol, Sharon, Karen and Jeff, Jack, Dan & Tony

Sunset in Marathon

The girls. Me, Sharon, Kaaren and Carol

One of the many turtles rehabbing at the hospital

Almost feeding time. 

Now to head deeper into the Keys. We bid farewell and made it to the Key West Bight marina where we stayed for two nights. It's always fun to wander around Key West and experience the shopping, food, ambiance and tons of roosters running around the streets. The Hemingway House was a must see. The story is an interesting one. Read it here: Hemingway House  We had a great last dinner at the 425 Bistro, a part of the Opal Key Resort and Marina near Mallory Square and watched the sun go down.

Roosters rule in Key West

Conch Republic for dinner

Inside the Hemingway House

Famous six toed cats

Nap time

Hemingway House pool

Key West Lighthouse

Bistro 425 in Key West

The following day was beautiful and we took a mooring at Looe Key to snorkel the reefs. I wish I still had my underwater camera as the fish were everywhere! Beautiful yellow tail snapper, sergeant majors, five eagle rays swimming in formation, a couple of barracuda and a small shark. I could have stayed all day. Later on that afternoon we anchored in New Found Harbor. Jeff and Dan snorkeled the reef just outside of a high dollar resort where a wedding was planned for that weekend. Apparently they rented the entire island for the extravaganza!

Dan enjoying the underwater life

Time to cool off in the clear water

At 8:15 the anchors were up and we were on our way to Islamorada, a 6.5 hour ride.  We had dinner at the Beach Cafe, a lovely spot with great food. The next day Sharon and I took advantage of the shopping there and came back with some good findings, all from the same boutique. We'll have to return to that one! 

Sunsets never disappoint

We spent the next two days at the Marathon Yacht Club, then settled on a 7:30 departure time for the next morning knowing we'd have a long travel day to Tiger Key. This is a pleasant anchorage with lots of turtle nests on the beaches. A short 1 hour trip the following morning to White Horse Key, recommended by a couple at Tiger Key proved to be a great anchorage as well. Three beaches offered treasures on each, one with a Weber grill that may or may not have floated up... Another beach had lots of living sea creatures and appeared to be a "nursery" of   sorts.   Cappy enjoyed playing with the crabs.

Off to Marco Island on Wednesday the 25th, for a two day stay at the Yacht Club there. We were keeping a sharp eye on the weather headed our way and made plans accordingly. We stayed at the Naples Yacht Club for the next two nights and took off on Sunday for the Captiva Yacht Club. It being Memorial Day weekend, reservations were a must, and we had made them days earlier. Captiva has only five slips. To our surprise (disbelief?) there was a Sea Ray in our reserved slip. Fortunately after straightening that out with them, they left and we were safely tucked in for the night. We love the beach there and I'm certain the dogs love it more. Gus, Penny and Cappy always love to get their yaya's out, dig for clams and take a dip in the water. After that we walked over to 'Tween Waters next door for a dip in the pool and dinner at the pool bar. Fun indeed. We all waited for the sun to go down while relaxing in the colorful Adirondacks on the beach, then made our way back to our boats for the evening. A strong thunderstorm that evening gave our boats a great rinse. 

On our way to Naples

Naples Yacht Club

Coming into Captiva

A hitchhiker with a true bird's eye view

Who, me?

Dan and Penny testing the water

Our little piece of paradise

Sunset on Captiva

The last leg of our trip would be the next day. We left Captiva at 12:45 and were home safely docked behind the house(s) at 4:20. Not exactly the trip we had originally considered, but one that was full of laughter and fun with great friends. What more could we ask for!

Back to Charlotte Harbor

As it turns out, it was quite windy in the Bahamas this spring according to some friends who had visited and people we know there, making moving about on boats difficult, waiting for a weather window. So, even though our plans kept changing, we ultimately had a fantastic time creating new memories and our weather was perfect. We boaters all agree on one thing: the sea is calling!