Venice to Cape Coral, FL

Sunday, January 18, 2015

We would have liked to stay at Fisherman's Wharf and explore the area a little longer but it was a good day and we set off in late morning. Cruising from Venice to Gasparilla Marina at Placida, FL. was really beautiful as we passed by one grand home after another. We had 4 bridges to go under but we had enough clearance to pass through all but the last which was the swing bridge at Boca Grande. We were met by our friends Dan and Angie on Seahorse who helped us tie up – it is always great to see other Loopers!

Birds roosting on a mangrove covered island
 

One of many beautiful homes
 

Nice to see our old friends the white pelicans
 

We chuckle every time we see birds on a sandbar. We had heard of boats going off the channel and running aground. Our friend Mark always advised, "Don't go where you see birds walking!"
 

Captain’s Log January 18

Departed: Fisherman’s Wharf Marina, FL 8:05 a.m.
Engine hours: 3.4 hrs.
Actual hours: 3 hr. 10 min
Miles covered 24.05    Total for trip: 3577
Arrived: Gasparilla Marina, Placida, FL 11:15 p.m.
Wx: clear skies, temps in low 60s rising to 70, went through several bridges, one had to open and our timing was great – no waiting! Engine checks good – Serenity is purring like a kitten! Traveled with Young at Heart

The fishing boat next to us had a noisy osprey on the top roof
 

Monday, January 19, 2015

Short cruise today – the sun was shining and the winds were forecast to die down in the afternoon. We left for Cayo Costa in late morning and did encounter some rollers on Charlotte Bay. The water calmed down as we neared the island and we dropped our anchor in Pelican Bay. The water was shallow and we had lots of company.

Went for a walk with Dan and Angie before we left Gasparilla -
we have seen lots of decorative flamingos but no real ones yet
 

We dropped our dingy and fired up the little 2.5 horsepower propane motor and went  to Cayo Costa, an isolated island state park that can only be reached by boat. There were families loading and unloading camping gear on the small ferry that runs back and forth. We hitched a ride on an open wagon for the mile long jaunt to the beach and it felt good to sink my feet in the sand once again.

Angie snapped this picture of Dan and Kathy barefootin' in the Gulf
 

Later our friends on our accompanying boats gathered on our upper deck to toast Brenda and Glenn who would be crossing their wake the next day. A sailboat pulled in beside us and we recognized Last Mango with John and Karen who had been docked near us at Marker One Marina. They lowered their sailing tender and rowed over – Last Mango hadn’t see Glenn and Brenda since Grafton, IL so they had a warm reunion.

Glenn and Brenda are new Gold Loopers - crossing their wake
at Cayo Costa
 

Dan and Angie joined us on Serenity at the anchorage
 

Late afternoon sun is delightful!
 

Captain’s Log: January 19, 2015

Departed: Gasparilla Marina 11:00 a.m.
Engine hours: 1.5 hr. – 12.40 statute miles
Actual hours: 1.5 hr.   
Arrived: Pelican Bay anchorage at Cayo Costa 12:30
Wx: clear, windy NE 10- 15, calm later in the day after we were at anchor
Traveled with Young at Heart and Seahorse

January 20, 2015 - Tuesday

We had a pleasant night at anchor but the red sky in the morning was not such a good omen. The skies were overcast and it looked like rain. Our three boat armada cruised out the shallow and narrow channel. I heard a splashing noise and looked back to see a dolphin following us almost under the swim platform in the prop wash. I don’t know if it was slapping its tail in pleasure or to let us know it was there, but it followed us for quite a way.

John captured this early sunrise while the other boats still
had their anchor lights on
 

Later we met a ferry boat taking passengers to one of the islands and the passengers were all on the upper deck looking down the side. There were dolphins playing and doing flips in their wake. Entertaining!

This ferry seems to be listing to starboard!
The dolphins were too quick for me to capture.
 

So glad to see John's step-mom, Jean
 

Soon after we were tied up at Cape Coral Yacht Basin, Jean, John's stepmother, arrived to greet us and lend us her car while we were there. Of course, she had some errands to run - like shopping for a new sofa - so we were glad to drive her and give lots of advice along the way.

Captain’s Log: Jan 20, 2014

Departed: Pelican Bay anchorage at Cayo Costa 9:00 a.m.
Arrival: Cape Coral Yacht Basin 1:15 p.m.
Engine hours: 4.5/516 since beginning of trip
Actual hours: 4 hrs., 15 min Miles: 27.58Wx: overcast on departure, slight sprinkles, SE winds 5-10, Gentle cruise, no issues, traveled with Seahorse and Young at Heart.

January 20 - 28 in Cape Coral

We got to see our Vermont boating friends, Doug & Laura, and their
beautiful new home in Ft. Myers
 

Gold Looper celebration on Young at Heart
Steve & Gina, Kathy & John, Mark & Becky and Brenda & Glenn
 

Royal palms lining a street near the marina
 

We are waiting out some stormy and windy weather here in Cape Coral. If things improve as  predicted we will leave on Wednesday, Jan 28, for Marco Island and then the Keys. Meanwhile we will enjoy our visit here!