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