Skinny Waters- Phat Weather

Blog Shark River

We finally pulled up anchor in Punta Gorda and left the temptations of Ruth Decker’s eclairs, banana cream pie, meat loaf and other assorted goodies.   We weighed the anchor and noticed it too had gained a few pounds over the holidays. 

Made our way south and stayed on a mooring ball at Fort Meyers Beach.  There’s a  new paradigm throughout  Florida.  Instead of boaters anchoring wherever there may be a spot, Florida is trying out a system of mooring fields in harbors.  We were pleasantly surprised at our first mooring ball experience.  For a nominal fee ($13.00 a day), we were provided a dingy dock, showers, pump-out, fresh water, and laundry room. 

From the busyness of the beach we sailed south for the ten thousand islands with a quick over-niter at Marco Island.

 The trade winds have been out of the East almost every day and it is great to be actually sailing again. I am sure we must look smart with our main sail, jib, and jenny out.  We also had our drifter flying with its University of Florida (go gators) colors too. 

  Thanks to Lee, Marlene and Nels  Sonderfan’s friend,  for guiding us into Rabbit Key Pass.  What a trip worming our way through the mangroves and watching the GPS reading less than five feet.  We had such a great anchorage though,  that we stayed an extra day to view the magnificent stars, visit with locals, and do some site seeing in Everglade City.  The Sonderfans cooked us crab cakes and trout, served fresh veggies from the area and insisted we drink their Yuengling, yum.  Our tour of the Rod and Gun Club, an ancient, semi-famous watering hole and inn in Everglades city, was awesome and seeing where Mr. Watson died was cool, too. 

Shark River is where we are now.  It is the buggiest,  most beautiful spot you can imagine.  We got trapped in paradise because after two days here, we ran out of beer and ice and were anxious to leave but, the weather had other plans for us.  Beers or no beers, when the weather lady says: “Winds gusting to 30 MPH today with small craft warnings”, I guess we can enjoy one more day in paradise. 

Lee, Marlene, Nels

 Old painting at Rod and Gun Club

 Little Shark River

I'm just waitin' on you.

That was the First Mate writing-  this is Cap'n Davey.  We had a rousing sail south from Shark River to Vaca Key (Marathon) , a course of about 50 mi. over the shallows (8') of Florida Bay.  Marathon Harbor, which has over 200 mooring balls and various marinas was full up with a waiting list so we found a nice anchorage off the north side of the key.  Only down side is that it's open to the north.  Fortunately, the predom. winds are ESE.  People are very friendly, and we have easy access to shopping etc.  Spent Sun. eve watching Eli beat up on pretty boy Tommy at the Hurricane Bar and grill.  Cool.  Have had a few rain showers to wash the salt off the boat.  We are both healthy and happy and wish the same for all y'all.  Jan and Dave