Sailing The ICW….Slow But Sure Wins The Race!!!!

We're Here... Bradenton, FL

Winds moved into south west Florida, so we decided to take the Inter Coastal Waterway from Ft. Meyers Beach up to Bradenton.  The Gulf would have had some BIG waves and this 1^st mate didn’t want to give that a try!  Our first jaunt was from Ft. Meyers to Gasparilla Marina near Englewood, FL.  This was one of many lovely marinas we enjoyed on our three month adventure. Steve always uses a service called Active Captain and they always have info and ratings about places to stay.  Gasparilla was to have the cleanest showers and restrooms anywhere on the Gulf….so what’s not to like, right?  They lived up to their write up and even had a busy little bar and grill that was just the ticket for dinner that evening.

Saturday we sailed from Gasparilla to Sarasota.  A front went through by mid-morning and it turned cool and windy!  We had eight bridges to pass through on the trip.  Our mast has a height of 51 ft. so we usually have to ask for a “lift” from the bridge keepers along the way.  A big “shout out” to the bridge keepers in Florida for being the friendliest and nicest we have experienced on our whole trip!  Most of these bridges were “on demand” (we radio them and they lift the bridge) but two only opened on the hour and half hour.  If you get there at the “wrong” time you get to wait!!!!  I must say we made it through in record time, so that was a plus!  Due to the cold temps, we decided on Marina Jack’s Marina in downtown Sarasota for Saturday.  Our heating system was very welcome that night!  In fact, I think on the whole trip, we’ve used the heat more than the air conditioning….figure!

Marina Jack in Sarasota

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  

The last section of the trip was to Bradenton and was only a four hour sail.  I think I have failed to mention that all the way along the ICW you see all sorts of beautiful homes and boats.  Just when you think you have seen the biggest one, there’s another one around the bend.  Also, there are many dolphins, birds and fishermen.  The ICW is narrow in many areas and the water is shallow and so clear that you can see the fish and dolphins swimming by the boat.

We are now in port at the Twin Dolphin Marina!  We’re doing some necessary cleaning, washing and relaxing.  I have my ticket on South West Airlines for Friday to fly to Texas.  Steve has two buddies who are coming in to help him crew and sail Kathryn home to Padre Island.  The weather conditions on the Gulf are forecast to be MUCH calmer than his trip in November.  As I look at the map of the Gulf, I am amazed at the distance we have travelled in the course of four months.  The places we’ve gone and the people we’ve met have been amazing!  Thank you for joining us along the way.  I told Steve he is going to have to continue the blog to document his Gulf journey!  SO, stayed tuned, he may just do that for all of you readers!

Buford, Our First Crew Member Has Arrived

 

Lots of Houses

 

 

 

The Last Bridge

 

Birds

 

Downtown Sarasota

So Long Key West….We’re Heading Home!

Oh no, we’re not heading west to Corpus Christi…we are now on our way up the coastline of Florida to Bradenton.  This will be our final destination in our three month adventure of the Gulf states.  I made reservations today to fly back to Texas on the 21^st and Steve and his “crew” will bring Kathryn back to our home port on Padre Island in a few weeks (the weather Gods better be on good behavior for him this trip!).  BUT the adventure isn’t over yet, as we have a few more ports to visit before we head into Bradenton.

On my last blog, we were enjoying Key West and what it had to offer.  We always have a way of finding some good eating establishments/bars to enjoy.  On Saturday, we strolled along the wharf where there are hundreds of boats and many more people. A mommy manatee and her baby were entertaining the tourists, so I was able to get some good close ups of these delightful animals.  We, also, stopped by at the Schooner Wharf Bar and Sloppy Joe’s to hear some music and enjoy the crowd.  Dinner that evening was with Jimmy Buffet…well, his restaurant, that is!  Our mode of transportation, once again, was the local bus line.  The bus driver even had to stop the bus and reprimand three rather rowdy fellows in the back whose language had gotten a bit out of hand.  Either they were going to quiet down or enjoy walking!!!  I sat next to an author who proceeded to tell me her life story and the context of her new novels.  When I asked her a question about one of them she said, “Wow, you were really listening to me!”  Sunday, we took the dingy to a local restaurant near our marina called Hog Fish Grill.  I don’t think I have seen hog fish on many menus other than in Florida.  It is quite delicious and the restaurant has quite the following.  On the dingy ride over to Hog Fish, right next to our marina, was an old, large yacht.  The name on the side was Platinum.  This yacht belonged to Mick Jagger (probably purchased after one of his albums went platinum) and he later sold it to someone in Florida.  They had let it go into disrepair and it was being torn apart there at the boatyard.

Steve Enjoying Downtown Key West

Mama Manatee and Her Baby

 

 

Sloppy Joes on Duval St

Platinum

Dinner at the Hogfish Grill

If you are familiar with the map of Florida, you’ll remember that Key West is directly south of Ft. Meyers.  So, for the quickest route from Key West to Ft. Meyers Beach is to go north for 120 miles and you’re there!  So, on Monday that is just what we did!  This meant we had to sail for 21 hours, which is an overnight sail.  The seas on the Gulf were absolutely perfect!!!  CALM and FLAT!  There was no trouble with sea sickness on this little trip!  We arrived in Ft. Meyers around 10:00 AM on Tuesday.  We both were a bit tired, since we had to take turns doing watches, but there isn’t too much happening on the Gulf during the night.  There was almost a full moon, so we had our own personal lighting!  The only other thing of interest was a giant sea turtle swimming with his flippers in the air.

A Couple of Cruisers Flashing Us as We Leave Key West

Good-bye Key West

 

Sunset on the Gulf North of Key West

We are leaving in the morning to follow the Inter Coastal Waterway up to Bradenton.  Today we have had rain and wind, which tends to “stir up” the Gulf’s waters.  The ICW is a waterway inside the coastline and tends to be much calmer.  So, those are our plans for the next week.  The trip is coming to an end soon, but the fun keeps on going J.  Thanks again to all of our followers on the blog!  We get some very nice feedback!

The Keys…Marathon and Key West

It’s a BEAUTIFUL day in Paradise as I begin my blogging this AM.  As they say, “What’s not to like?”  Blue skies up above, warm temperatures and MANY interesting people to meet and enjoy!

As I had mentioned in my last blog, we had just arrived in Marathon.  Marathon happens to be a very likeable place for boaters to spend the winter, leave for the Bahamas from and a fun place to party, so…..we found “no place in the inn”.  We did find safe harbor in the city marina, but were given #13 just to be in line for a mooring ball.  This place almost looked like a city in its self…..hundreds of boats for as far as you could see.  SO, we spent two days there anchored and then decided Key West was in our best interest.  In the meantime, we had fun riding around in the dingy and finding fun little places and a restaurant with a pull up dingy dock.  A local (or probably I should say Gulf Coast) singer/band leader, Eric Stone owned the Dockside Bar and Grill.  He’s the chef as well as the entertainment in the evening.  As we sat at our table we were entertained by a manatee swimming up to the dock.  They are such graceful creatures and seem to be everywhere down here.



Kathryn at Anchor in Marathon



Dingy Dock in Marathon



Lunch at Dockside

Manatee Stopped by for Lunch Too

Wednesday we headed out into the Atlantic for our sail to Key West and Stock Island Marina.  I couldn’t wipe the smile off of Steve’s face, as this was our all time best sail EVER!  No motor, just sailing along at around 6.8 to 7.4 knots (for you sailors out there) surrounded by aqua colored water and the Keys to our right!  It is about 40 miles to Key West from Marathon and we made it in record time, also!

If You Look Real Close You Can See She is About Ready to Feed the Fish, But She Didn't

Stock Island Marina is very new and we are loving the facilities!  We are a ways from downtown Key West, so we’re using the local bus system.  That, in its self, is an adventure!  One quickly learns to appreciate the little things in life, like a car in the garage that you just hop into and go!  BUT the interesting people you meet on the bus is a “hoot”.  Some locals, some boaters and tourist….one never knows.  In fact, one evening we met a couple who had lived in Chesterton, IN and he had been a professor in education at IUN until he took a position in Texas!  Small world, heh?  

Key West is known for its quirky side and you just never know what you’re going to see or who you will meet.  With that in mind, I’m going to give you a few examples of some of our favorites!

*Another “bus adventure”.  We met an artistic couple waiting for the bus.  They had just finished their “gig” on Mallory Square selling their wares.  (You have to be asked to be there, and then draw numbers for where you can set up.)  We talked to them the whole way to our “stop” at the marina, but saw them on Mallory Square the next day.  We were like their long lost family and just had to have a picture taken with them!

Our New Artist Friend Lucinda

*Mallory Square is known for all of its “acts” or “talents” to watch while people wait for the sun to go down!  It’s one busy place.  We stopped to watch a young acrobatic juggler perform and Steve was picked to be in his act.  They not only have to be quite talented to do what they do, but they, also, have quite a comedy show to go along with their act.  Steve and two other fellows had to hold his unicycle while he mounted it and juggled a sword, burning torches and an ax!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

*The Green Parrot Bar….As we walked into this infamous establishment, it was PACKED!  A very friendly gentleman told us there were two bar stools next to him and we could have them!  He was quite sure Steve was Kenny Rogers (Gee, have we heard that before???)  Anyhow, he was VERY outgoing, or maybe had been at the Green Parrot a little too long, but he had to tell us who he was!  For you sports fans of the 70’s this might jog your memories!  Louie Griammona came out of Utah State (now a Hall of Famer there) to play for the NY Jets and the Philadelphia Eagles as a running back and has a Super Bowl ring to prove it.  Oh, the people you meet!  Just to prove it, Steve had to buy a tee shirt J

Nancy and Her New Friend, Louie...

I could probably go on and on, but won’t bore you with any other quirky things we have had the pleasure to do or see.  It’s a great life in Key West and the weather is wonderful.

Dinner at Antonio's

 

Drinks at Mallory Square

 

A Ford Model TT, Converted to a Bar

 

Cruise Ship Ready to Leave Key West

 

Crab Pots and Fishing Poles

Ninth Floor of Pink Shell Resort Overlooking Marina

There's Kathryn

In our last blog entry, we were enjoying all the sights and entertainment in Ft. Meyers Beach.  Before I enter into my above mentioned title, I must include our final days in Ft. Meyers.  Last Tuesday was a GLORIOUS 80 plus degree day and that, of course, brought out all the tourists and boaters.  There was a virtual boat parade behind our boat!  Dick and Cindy Jordan had planned a drive up from Bonita Springs for a visit and dinner!  They got into the typical Ft. Meyers Beach traffic jam that occurs when everyone wants to be on the beach.  They sat for over an hour in traffic just trying to get to our marina (and we thought Chicago traffic was bad!!!)  After finally arriving, we spent an hour or so just enjoying some adult beverages and talk on our boat.  Since their experience with traffic was not a good one, we decided on Nemo’s Restaurant on the beach for dinner (close by and not much driving!).  We got introduced to “bang, bang shrimp” which is now becoming a favorite of ours.  Dick and Cindy are both originally from Chicago and Indiana, so our memories go way back. Wednesday, our friends the Smiths wanted to do dinner again.  So, believe it or not, it was Bang, Bang Shrimp night at Bonefish Grill and we were just the group who wanted to enjoy it!  Of course, most of the restaurants start their happy hours at four o’clock because of the “older set” that are their regular customers.  Needless to say, the place was packed!  Good meal…again!!!

Good Times, Good Friends the Smiths

Dick and Cindy Jordan. Catching up on Old Times

Bring on the Bang Bang Shrimp! 

 

Our plans were to leave Ft. Meyers on Thursday, but the weather did not cooperate!  That seems to be okay when you are retired and don’t really have to be somewhere. So, we sat out the rain and found some fun activities to keep us busy.  The Smiths came to our rescue on Friday, again!  Elaine is a good shopper and treated me to two of her favorite shops…shopping heaven!  They are, also, great at picking out good places to eat and Friday night was no exception.  When does that diet start????

Saturday, we awakened to beautiful sunny skies and we were off to Marco Island.  Our final destination is going to be Marathon Key, but it is a three day adventure to get there.  Marco Island was a lovely anchorage just to the north of all the hotels and high rises. The boaters and parisailers were enjoying the day, also.  Yesterday morning, we left on the second “leg” of the journey and ended up at Little Shark River.  For those of you who maybe want to know where that is…almost at the end of Florida and where the Keys begin to wind out into the Gulf.

Marco Island from our Anchorage

 

Now I can tell you about crab pots.  For those of you who love crab meat, the crab industry seems to be booming on the Gulf.  Ever since we left Clearwater back in December, we have seen our share of crab pots.  I like to describe them as little “time bombs” sticking out of the water (or perhaps a “cherry bomb”) They have a little hook or “fuse” at the top so that the boats can come by and pick them up.  At the bottom of this ball is a long line attached to the crab cage.  Now we have decided that some crab fishermen are rather methodical in their placement of their pots.  Others, sorry to say, seem to scatter them helter skelter all over the water.  So, for boaters you are constantly trying to dodge these little guys.  Why, you may ask?  If you would hit one, their line could get tangled in the prop of your boat.  Then the boat STOPS and someone has to go down in the water and get this “problem” untangled.  NOT a good thing!  So, lots of your day is spent dodging these guys.  And when I say there are a lot of them, I can’t make that more clear.  So,in the midst of this yesterday, Steve decided to try out his new hobby…fishing.  He has his Florida fishing license, a new pole and all the equipment that goes along with this new found sport.  We just drag a line along and hope for the best.  Well, yesterday we’d get so excited when the line started to unwind as if a fish were attached.  Only to find out we had snagged an above mentioned POT!  BUT finally, success!  Steve pulled out a barracuda.  At least that is the picture we found in our fish book that looked the most like our catch.  It was a “catch and release” since we were dodging pots and had no time to take care of a fish.

The New Pole

 

Steve's First Catch...  A Bit Too Small to Keep

 

Last night, we anchored at the Little Shark River (no sharks spotted…he, he!)  After a lovely sunset and a dinner from the grill, we tried listening to the Super Bowl on the radio, but it was a bit scratchy.  There was not internet, no TV, or phone reception because we were far from any other cities or towers. An old fashion kind of night, I believe.  We left early this AM for Marathon Key and will arrive around three o’clock.  We’ll once again be back in civilization J  So,we are back watching out for pots and enjoying a beautiful, calm, sunny Gulf.  Life doesn’t get much better than that, right!

Two of the 10 Billion Crab Pots We Dodged