April 11, 2012

Hey - almost a month and lots of miles and I haven't updated this site!
From the Keys to the west coast of Florida - a full day's run through the rolly waters of Florida Bay into the Everglades.
Here's the "active stabilization" method I mentioned in the past.  Jerry's getting a good workout in this video while keeping the boat from rolling so much.

Little Shark River was a beautiful spot - mangrove lined, winding, peaceful.  But full of bugs!  Jerry stood on the foredeck for a few minutes and returned covered with no-see-ums.  The unusually warm winter provided the perfect nesting grounds for no-see-ums and mosquitos.  Here Jerry shows the mangroves outside from the comfort and protection of the cockpit with only a layer of plastic keeping the voracious bugs at bay.  His birthday cookie (made in the dutch oven) and stuffed shells for dinner.

March 16, 2012 Little Shark River

 The shoreline of the west coast of Florida, from the southern tip (Cape Sable) to Marco Island is tree-lined and desolate.  No hint of the condos, yachts, high rises, and people-filled beaches we're used to seeing.  Here's a shot of the sunrise as we make our way north.

Sunrise between Little Shark River and Everglades City.

We stopped at Marco Island and found a "creek"  to anchor up before heading to Fort Myers Beach.  Our friends Bob and Nancy live there on their trawler "Jolly Mon".  They have a nice spot on the "inside" of Estero Island with a short walk to the beaches of the gulf.  What fun we had catching up!
Fisherman on the ICW as we head north.......

Fisherman and Pelican waiting patiently.

Back to our favorite places from earlier this winter: Safety Harbor on North Captiva Island and Cayo Costa.  Best beach walks and places to watch birdlife!

There's an osprey chick in the nest above our anchorage at Safety Harbor.

An egret taken on our 8 mile hike on the beach and back to the boat.

And onto Mullett Key, Fort DeSoto Park.  We highly recommend this place!  So much to do - bike trails, the historic fort, places to kayak, picnic, swim, fish, boat and camp.  It was not so easy to access this time.  We came in from the Gulf side instead of Tampa Bay.  We were plotting carefully and repeatedly but the inlet into the area was not where it was supposed to be!  Rolling breakers and surf made it seem impossible to pass in to the anchorage area.  We didn't want to end up flotsam rolling in to the beach!  Turns out Mother Nature has rerouted the channel a half mile north of where it was shown on our new chart book.  It was a relief to find the deeper, dark water channel into the calm waters at Mullett Key.

Mullett Key looking out to Bunces Pass

Instead of going to St. Petersburg we met Patti at nearby Gulfport.

Patti aboard "Lutra"

"mouse" at Gulfport

As usual, we had a great visit with Patti.  Dinner on her boat.  Movies aboard "mouse".  Here Patti and Sula on the bench sit back for movie time while Mariah gets comfy on the floor in Jerry's spot.

Mariah, Patti, Sula

Patti drove us in her car to her Dad's (Barry) place in Tampa where we left our truck.  Barry and Alicia had a gourmet lunch for us as we all sat around and talked about, of course, sailing trips past and present.  We thanked them again for finding a place on their property to store our truck and trailer and then back to Gulfport.  The transition from 5 mph to 65 mph was scary as usual.
The truck hauled the boat with no problems.  Jerry had learned a lot by watching the fishermen back in Stuart, FL.  With the boat on the trailer I put the boat in forward, full speed ahead while Jerry drove the truck up the ramp and the boat out of the water.  The extra 36 hp from the boat's motor made the truck's job much easier.
Back to life on the boat on land.
First stop Leesburg, FL to visit with Charlie and Elsy.  We only had one night's visit with them on the way down so it was nice to spend a few days.
Charlie put the pontoon boat in the water and we toured Lake Griffin.

Our picnic spot for the afternoon

Charlie, Benji the dog, Aunt Jane, and Elsy posing for me

Our excitement - alligator spotting along the way.

 This one came up to the pontoon boat during our picnic looking for handouts.  The picture below with the lilly pads shows you how big this alligator (and more around the pontoon boat) was.  The big alligators weren't as cooperative for picture taking.

Charlie and I scouted the neighborhood for grapefruit and came back with a basket load!

Fresh picked grapefruit

Then onto Jacksonville to see Chris and Amy's new addition to the family.......

Chris holding Andrew (born 3/21/12)

A scrumptious Easter dinner was hosted by Chris and Amy's friends Chris and Heather Kopp.  They graciously allowed us to park the boat and truck in their driveway for the day/night.  The kids loved the boat -

Katarina, Donova, Alaina, Danielle

The next morning - on the road.......
We're currently "anchored" at Mom and Dad's place here in Newfield where we're adjusting from the sunny 80 degree days to the rainy 40 degree days.  Hey - the weather can only get better, right?!
Karen and Jerry