January 19 – 24, Marathon, FL

 

Marathon is a great place to vacation.  We have adapted well to staying in one place, adjusting to island time, and the warm weather and sunshine.  We will be updating the blog and our activity about once a week while we are in one place.

This week we spent time cleaning and washing the boat, getting the dinghy set up, adjusting the lines for the tides and winds, and general maintenance.  We are sterned into the slip here cause the finger piers are so short that we are getting on and off the boat from the swim platform.  The step to the pier also changes with the tides – sometimes a level step and sometimes a huge 3 foot step up.  We had to lift the dinghy out of the water and then slide it back into the water from the pier because we could not get the dinghy between the boat and the dock.  Now that the problem is solved we have access to exploring Key Colony with all the canals and small harbors.    

The bikes have also been removed and put to good use.  The harbor is at mile marker (MM) 53.  As some of you know, things in the Keys are identified as to their location by mile markers.  The heart of Marathon is at MM 47-49, so Tom and I have been doing a lot of bike riding.  Two days this week we have ridden 9-10 miles depending if we go exploring at the other marinas or if we need a loaf of bread.  The marina has a nice pool which is a good place for a refreshing dip after those bike rides.  It is also 2 miles to Pat and Jim’s house so that has become a regular stop for us too.

The choice of activities for the island lifestyle is many.  Tom has enjoyed fishing in the Gulf with Jim.  In fact, he was the only one who did any “catching” that day of fishing.  Hopefully the weather will permit a few more fishing trips so we can eventually have a neighborhood fish fry. 

 

There are also bocce ball games which involve the neighborhood, cocktails and slowly rolling heavy wooden balls on the court.  This week there were 16 of us playing.  Fun.  Pat and I have done a little shopping, out of necessity of course.  The local movie theater is a popular place on Fridays when the new movie comes out.  It has 100 seats and swivel chairs.  They seem to be arranged somewhat randomly with round tables placed conveniently to hold your popcorn, soda and beer.  It is very busy on a cool, windy night in Marathon.   

Last night we experienced one of the best things of the keys – which was a very casual local dock party.  There were about 16 of us who gathered on the dock, enjoyed delicious fresh cooked lobster and then musical entertainment.  Sal, our neighbor, Donnie, guy in the next sailboat and a Louis, a “local” guy from Portugal played guitars and the harmonica and sang.  They played Buffet, country, sing-a-longs, and ballads as we sat on the dock, with a breeze blowing and cold beers.  I could do this every night.  We were told there are a lot of musicians here and many play at the bars for free, or at open mic night so we will definitely be searching for those places.

 

The other great things in the Keys are the food and the restaurants and the Happy Hours.  Many of the local places have Happy Hours which basically means that the beer is a reasonable price and the appetizers are discounted in price.  At Sparky’s, they serve 25 cent wings and shrimp.  Four of us ate 40 wings and 30 shrimp. Not bad but the table next to us had 80 wings.  We will return to Sparky’s again.  Tarpon Creek also had discounted appetizers so there we enjoyed shrimp, sliders, calamari and conch fritters.  It also seems that ice cream is a necessity so Sweet Savannahs is becoming a regular stop.  Many times when Tom and I ride the bikes we become parched and need our thirst quenched so we have also stopped at Brass Monkey and Herbies.  I think you could frequent a different restaurant every day and still not run out of eating options.   

As you can probably tell, we are enjoying our vacation spot in the Florida Keys.  We are still planning on cruising again in a month - - but you can never be sure.  

Jan.17-18, 2015 Everglade City to Little Shark River

Jan 17-18: Everglade City to Little Shark River

 

Departed at 0907 from Indian Key pass.  Ran just inside the Everglades National Park boundary to avoid the crab pots.  Water was nice, ride was smooth.  Had a problem with port engine alternator, but that seemed to sort itself out as the temperature returned to normal.  We continued to check it every thirty minutes for a couple of hours and so far so good.    We encountered more crab pots outside the park boundaries the farther south we traveled.  We arrived at Little Shark River and proceeded up past the lagoon and anchored at the 11 foot depth mark on the chart.  Anchor was down at 1443.  The rest of the afternoon was relaxing until 1505 when Colletta landed her first sea trout.  It was a keeper but she threw it back.  We were in the cabin before dusk to avoid the attack of the mosquitoes.  We were only partially successful, as Colletta spent most of the evening killing mosquitoes rather than watching the movie on the computer.

 

The Admiral trying to catch dinner.

After a scrumptious breakfast made by the captain, we launched the dinghy to go exploring.  We followed the channel all the way to Oyster Bay which was a large body of water within the Everglades.  It is everything you would expect a Florida swamp to be.  Mangroves on both sides of the river with swift flowing tides.  The wild life consisted of many different kinds of birds, manatee, sea turtles and dolphins.  The dolphins were amazing as they hunted dinner among the mangrove roots.  They were in very shallow water chasing their dinner at low tide.  Their feeding and splashing in shallow water also attracted herons looking to pick up an easy dinner from any wounded fish.  We watched two trawlers come into the channel.  They can up river on a dinghy ride when they saw our Looper flag.  They stopped to say Hi and then invited us back to their boat for cocktails.  They were Jim and Belinda on Rickshaw and Gabe and Gail on Sea Wolf.  After sharing and charting discussions, we will leave together in the morning all heading to Marathon.

Cocktail hour after heavy work fishing

 

Sunset on the Little Shark River taken from inside the boat because the mosquitoes would  carry you off if you were outside

 

Thursday Jan. 15, 2015 Rose Marina, Marco Island to Everglades City Anchorage

 

We got up at 0730 planning an early departure from the marina but sometimes things don’t work like we planned. The Key West Express parks right across the dock from us and today they don’t depart until 0830. Not wanting to get in his way as we went to the fuel dock we waited for him to depart. We then pulled over to the fuel dock for fuel and a pump out of the holding tank. I had not purchased fuel since back in Carrabelle, FL at Thanksgiving and although I still had 300 gallons or so of fuel the price here is $2.65 a gallon and I can’t believe it will be any cheaper in the Keys, which is where we are headed. We topped off the tanks with 160 gallons and were on our way. We had talked to our friends Chuck and Arlene who own a boat down here on Marco about exiting the Marco River. You save a lot of time because you don’t have to go so far out into the Gulf to get around the Cape Romano shoals. They said if we left at high tide we should not have any problems. They were right about the water depth but even with directions on the chart, we had to stop a couple of times and think about which markers we should be following. Their wisdom and info paid off and we made it through the Marco River and into the Gulf without mishap. You have to get used to skinny (shallow) water down along the west coast of Florida, 12 feet of water is living large. We had times where the depth finder was down to 1.9 feet under the keel, that’s about 6.5 feet of water total.

We pulled into Indian Key anchorage by Everglades City, Fl. We are up a river about 4.5 miles from downtown, very rustic and quiet. We hope the mosquitoes wouldn’t be too bad tonight.

These are all white pelicans by Indian Key near Everglades City

Marker 8.5 restaurant in Goodland where we lunched with Chuck and Arlene

 

January 12 – 14, 2015: Fort Myers to Marco Island

Up early today and out of slip by 0715.  Our goal was to get to Marco Island before the rain was to hit later in the afternoon. (It never did arrive) it is about 33 miles to Marco.  Upon leaving the channel, we encountered 4-5 dolphin just playing and even tossing a fish around between them.  We have seen dolphin everyday on the water, some in the distance, some up close and personal , some casually swimming along and others “flying” and even jumping completely out of the water.  They are amazing and very fun to watch.  This was our first day on the gulf and the water was great, calm to 1 foot chop.  We can only hope for this great of water again.  The ride was pleasant and we recognized many landmarks and areas along the shore.  We even called some friends, (Dan, Pat, Bill) and told them to wave at us as we cruise by.  We arrived at Rose Marina ($1.60/ft./day) on Marco Island and were pleased to be docked close to Jason and his family. 

The visit at Marco was wonderful.  We spent time with the family.  Jason, April, Colton, Wyatt and Wyatt, (have to get all their names in the blog) were home on Monday and we spent time with them catching up, playing air hockey, inspecting the gardens, and enjoying listening to 3 brothers chatter.  We had visits also with many friends.  Bill Reynolds stopped by the boat, as did Bob and Fran Phinney (Lake Michigan cruising friends) and Chuck and Arlene Custer (fellow boaters and MTOA members).  We got a little taste of the island by doing some exploring on foot and by stopping at a few restaurants. (The Sandbar, Marker 8.5).  We are already looking forward to returning in March and seeing these friends again and spending even more time on the island.

Salty Sam's Marina in Fort Myers

You can rent your own pirate ship here.

If you are a Doc Ford fan this is his rum bar in Ft. Myers

 

January 11, 2015 Cayo Costo State Park to Fort Myers Beach

 

We pulled up the anchor and headed out of our anchorage cautiously. We were leaving a little before low tide so we wanted to retrace our path that we used to enter the anchorage. It is great to have a chart plotter that leaves tracks so you can follow them out of skinny water. The day before, a large trawler had run aground exiting the anchorage. We were out in the intercoastal waterway by 0930 heading south. On the way to Fort Myers Beach, Colletta called Salty Sam’s Marina and got us a slip for the night. It was not a tough day navigation wise but the boat traffic was amazing. Narrow waterways with lots of fast moving boats zooming around can make one nervous. We have found that even though Florida boaters boat 12 months a year there are those that are complete idiots and totally ignorant of common courtesy. Go figure.

As we were pulling up to the Sanibel Island Bridge a boat pulls alongside of us and yells. Lo and behold it is Dave Schau with friends on Dave’s new boat. Dave is a member and friend from our yacht club back in New Buffalo, Mi. I told him we were staying at Salty Sam’s so he said he would call later.

 

We pulled into Salty Sam’s at 1405 with much effort after the wind and the current blew us around a little and ended up docking next to Tom and Linda in Rayidance.  We were anxious to get up to the bar to see the Green Bay football game, but there was no urgency as the crowds cheers and boos could be heard anywhere in the marina and let us know what was happening with the game.  We joined 2 couples in the bar at an open table and of course they were wearing their green and gold. Shortly Dave and Sue Schau surprised us by walking into the bar.  It was great seeing them and they too seemed pleased to have “old” friends from up north to catch up with.  Dave has a gorgeous new boat, so we cajoled a short ride.  It is plain to see that they enjoy their home in Ft. Myers and their new boat! 

 

Packer fans at Salty Sam's

 

Dave and Sue Schau's beautiful boat

 

 

 

 

January 9-10 Cape Haze to Pelican Bay – Cayo Costa State Park

 

With the sun shining brightly, we pulled up anchor and started south.  50 feet of the anchor was covered with heavy, thick white sand from being anchored and drug thru the bottom in the wind.  It took Colletta some time to bring in the anchor and rinse it off.  She also made a mess but nothing that could not be rinsed off.  In heading south we encountered more bridges and more fishermen, both fishing close and in the channel and driving fast in the channel to catch their next big fish. As we got close to the state park, watching the charts and water depth was mandatory!! “Turn straight west at the red marker, drive parallel to the sandbar, stay in at least 5 feet of water.”  While piloting very slowly, we noticed sailboats anchored and power boats tucked in behind on island, so we joined them.  Tom moored us in 8 feet of water. Once we were settled, Tom lowered the dinghy and we were off to the Park.  We walked the paths, walked the gulf beach and sat and enjoyed the birds.  It was good to be on land and get some exercise and some sun.   The wind continued to blow and even increased into the night.  Tom was up and down all night to check the dinghy, adjust its lines, and check the anchor.

Exploring Cayo Costo state Park

 

The next day was cool, overcast and still windy.  We decided to remain at this anchorage again for another day and hope for calmer seas tomorrow.  Tom studied the charts and caught up on his reading.  Colletta again worked on her cleaning list.  In the afternoon we went for a ride in the dinghy and explored the island area and some coves.  There are places that the water is really shallow.  We even ran aground in the dinghy.  We then joined Tom and Linda on Radiance – a couple we met at Turtle Cove in Tarpon Springs.  We enjoyed cocktails and sharing boating experiences.  They are gold Loopers which means they have done the Loop more than once; so once again we asked them questions and got some traveling hints from them.  After a delicious dinner of a new chicken recipe prepared by Capt. Tom on Greeks Folly, we relaxed and enjoyed some football on TV. 

Our anchorage in Pelican Bay

 

January 7, 2015 Marina Jack’s Sarasota to Cape Haze

We got all off the necessary projects completed yesterday for today’s departure. Pumped out the holding tank and returned some charts to Wally on Beulah Belle and said our good byes. We departed the marina at 9:11 and headed back out into the intercoastal waterway. It is not difficult navigation but you do have to pay attention to the markers and not wonder out of the channel. It gets shallow very quickly if you do. We passed under many bridges heading south so far. Because our height is 19 feet most of the bridges we go underneath without them opening. This saves us time because some bridges open on a schedule on the hour and half hour or quarter past and quarter to the hour. If you nmiss the scheduled opening you have to wait until the next scheduled opening. Well today we had to have two bridges open for us. Luckily they both open on demand and are not on a schedule. The first was a lift bridge but the second was a swing bridge that the operator had to go to the center of the bridge to work the controls to open the bridge,. Very cool and very different.

The swing bridge in open position

 

The bridge tender on the open bridge

 

We arrived at an anchorage in Cape Haze, fl at 1445. Colletta had picked this out of the cruising guide and an internet program called Active Captain. We had heard of a forecasted gale warning for today night and high winds tomorrow so we were looking for a place that was well protected from the wind. We let out 75 feet of anchor chain and anchored in 12 feet of water.

Because of the high winds, we decided to say in this horseshoe shaped anchorage for a second day.  With the winds blowing fiercely, and the full moon at night, that makes the low tides very low.  While listening to the radio we heard of 2 boats that had run aground just 2 miles north of us.  We were glad to be in our safe little anchorage.  We used the day to do some maintenance:  window washing, inside cleaning and………

 

 

January 3-6, 2015 – Sarasota FL

 

Left anchorage by Whale Key and headed to Marina Jack’s.  We pulled in and had a great view of the Harbor and intercoastal.  We quickly walked downtown to the farmers market for fresh produce.  The place was “jumping” It was a beautiful sunny day and a lot of people wandering around. 

A view from our back deck, the neighbors

A closer look at the condos across the harbor from the marina

 

One reason for our stop here was to catch up with Wally and Mary Sue on Beulah Bell.  We found them, and enjoyed a quick beer.  We made a date for dinner, and joined them for a walk to the grocery store.  Wally and Tom cooked steaks, Mary Sue made the salad and we provided bakalava.  It was a wonderful dinner, catching up with friends, good food and even some NFL football. 

Sunday we went to church and Bible class at the Baptist church downtown with Wally and Mary Sue.  It is always good to go to church and Colletta was a little outside of her comfort zone but did enjoy the service.  The transit system in and around Sarasota is excellent.  The transit station is ½ mile from the harbor and the buses became our means of transportation for the next three days.  We rode over the Ringling Causeway Bridge and went to the Mote Marina Lab and Aquarium.   It is always fun to see fish and marine life.  It is the home of 2 of the biggest manatees we have ever seen and surprisingly, they love kale – delicious and nutritious.   A relaxing walk around the park by the marina and a beautiful sunset is always a great way to end the day – an added plus is the season premiere of Downton Abby!

Monday we cleaned the boat and enjoyed a relaxing visit with Bob and Laurie Wiesemann – long time boating friends.  Since they no longer own a boat, they enjoyed inspecting our floating home and conversation on the back sun deck.  After enjoying al fresco dining, they were kind enough to drop us off at the Ringling Museum were the two of us enjoyed some culture at the famous art museum.  The art was interesting, grounds were very lush, and we enjoyed walking around the property seeing the rose garden, intercoastal and huge banyan trees.  We enjoyed it so much that we returned to the Ringling grounds on Tuesday and spent 4 more hours finishing our tour of the other three building.  The Tibbal's miniature circus was phenomenal!!  Howard Tibbal spent over 50 years creating exact miniature replicas of circus life; everything from railroad cars to tiny silverware.  We highly recommend this stop for everyone. 

The garden at the Ringling Art Museum

Entrance to the Ringling Circus Museum and the Tibbal's Miniature Exhibit

Colletta trying out bareback horse riding at the museum

A small part of the Tibbal's miniature circus

 The

Ca' d'Zan (House of John) John Ringling's house on Sarasota Bay


 

January 3, 2015   Whale Key to Marina Jack’s Marina

Anchor was up and we were on our way by 9:20 as we had a long way to travel today. Not really only 6 miles to Marrina Jack’s Marina in downtown Sarasota. We had called yesterday and had reserved a slip for 3 days. At a cost of $ 2.65 per foot per day I wanted to get into the marina as early as possible. The trip was uneventful as Sarasota Bay is pretty deep with just a couple of shoal areas to watch for. We pulled into our slip at the marina and were met by 2 dock hands to assist us. Tied up and plugged into electric by 10:35. We then headed off to the local farmer market which was very nice but crowded. A beautiful marina next to a park.

January 2^nd – Gulfport Anchorage to Whale Key

 

Awoke to dense fog, told Colletta to roll over and sleep in.   Fog slowly lifted and we were underway by 1130.  Followed charts to Tampa Bay, fog lifting as we went.  Turned south at 1230 and went parallel to Sunshine Parkway Bridge across the Bay.  There was no large ship traffic because they were fogged in, or should we say out as in out in the Gulf. 

Very shallow just out of the channel. you had better stay between the navigational buoys

a little foggy but much better then earlier this morning

 

 The Tampa Bay pilot office called Greeks Folly to ask us for visibility report of the bay so they could begin large ship traffic for the day.  We reported we could see both ends of the bridge so they could resume bringing  the big ships into the Bay.  Greeks Folly gives the OK and saves the day.  We cross the bay and continue on and just off Longboat Key we dropped the anchor just south of Whale Key at 1545.  Tom did captain “stuff” while Colletta washed a lure and tempted the fish.  Enjoyed leftover chicken for dinner and a nice quiet evening.  We anchored at this location because the wind was forecast to be out of the west.  However the wind shifted out of the east and we had a constant slap on the bow which did not affect our sleeping.

January 1, 2015

Back on the boat departing Tarpon springs, Florida

Well we returned to the boat from our holiday visit back to Homewood and Tinley Park , Illinois for the holidays. We returned to Turtle Cove Marina where we had left the boat and our two cats. Jim and Katie, marina employees had agreed for a slight fee  to feed and scoop the cats while we were gone. They did a nice job but cats will be cats and have special ways to show that they are not happy with you. In the case of our cats it is not allows using the litter box so, after washing down a couple of throw rugs and scrubbing the wood parquet floors in the v bunk the boat no longer smells like a couple of elephants have been peeing  in the boat. It never ceases to amaze me what terrible odors can be generated by such a small animal. So we had the rental car for half a day more so we provisioned the boat and got what we needed to head back out.

We did manage one more Greek dinner at our favorite Greek restaurant in Tarpon Springs, Costas and our waitress Voula. Also another loaf of Greek bread and baklava from National Bakery.

Double lamb shank and spaghetti dinner at Costa's

 

New Years Day was over cast as we waited for high tide to depart Turtle Cove Marina. The water gets a little shallow on the way to the gulf so we waited to make an easier trip. We departed at 10:40 and arrived out in the Gulf at 11:20 behind Anclote Island. We turned and headed south for warmer climates. We passed Dunedin, Clearwater, and Indian Rocks Beach on our way to Gulfport where we arrived at 1624 and anchored in front of the beautiful city of Gulfport among a fleet of sailboats.

Turtle Cove Marina our home since Dec. 1

departing and headingsouth

Looking down the channel in front of the sponge docks