3/17-3/29 Stuart and Vero Beach

March 17-22
We returned to Stuart, which is home to many sailfish tournaments.

We really like Sunset Bay Marina and we picked up a mooring ball. Always the cheaper option! And you still get to use the amenities.
This is a lovely facility with shady porches, gas grills, a fancy lounge with a big screen TV, and a new fire pit. Sam, the manager, takes the boaters around town several times a week to run errands and grocery shop.
They invited all the guests for a traditional St Patricks Day dinner.

Sunset Bay Marina Office and Clubhouse

The new gas fire pit.  A favorite spot for chilly evenings.

Sam, the manager and bus driver

We rode our bikes 4 miles to the Total Wine store for provisions north. Bob was thrilled to find a nice selection of craft beers in cans.

We met up with 2 couples we knew from Boot Key Harbor, Terry and Barbara from NC on Wind Whisperer. They joined us for a Kadey Krogen Open House and Fish Fry. We even brought our checkbook along. Unfortunately the 44 foot one we liked was $850,000, so we didn't have sufficient funds!

Also met up again with Irene and Jay from Vermont on Escapaid.

Went to the free Sunday afternoon concert on the riverfront again- Lily Lavon.  Excellent again!

March 23-29 On to Vero Beach

It was a day's travel north to Vero Beach. The marina there also has a mooring field. And a free city wide bus system with a stop at the marina.

It was a hot and humid week, so we walked or took our dinghy to the beach several times for a refreshing swim in the ocean.

selfie on the beach

And we had Happy Hour with Phil and Bonnie from Annapolis (also met them in Marathon) on Windaway. Also went back to the Driftwood Inn and had lunch at Waldos.

Happy Hour goes on despite the rain! Phil and Bonnie headed back to Windaway.

3/13- 3/16 Across the Okeechobee Waterway

March 13
The Okeechobee Waterway cuts right through Florida, from the western Gulf coast over to the eastern Atlantic coast.

We departed at first light, now later with the time change, 07:30. Passed by Sanibel Island, then turned north onto the Caloosahatchee River. Another beautiful day!

Entering the waterway

Saw numerous farms and orange orchards along the way. A big change, very rural!

Went through the first of 5 locks on this trip. Like an elevator going up!

Bob holding the lock lines. It sometimes got a little choppy.

Spent the night at a free dock in La Belle and met several other boaters at the dock transiting. 

March 14

We continued on and made it to Moore Haven. It was a rather depressed waterfront city.  But we found an outstanding little Mexican restaurant we could walk to. Saw a lot of alligators today, onshore and swimming along the shoreline.

This big guy is sunning on the rock.

March 15

Headed out again on the canal. And then entered Lake Okeechobee.

Travelled 19 miles across the lake to a more narrow canal.  Went through another lock and then saw the dreaded 49 foot railroad bridge. Our mast is 47 feet plus antennae and wind instruments.

We inched through under this bridge with Carol on the bow. Made it with about 6" to spare! What a relief!

Our last lock on the St Lucie River.  Elevator going down!

Spent the night at Indiantown Marina.  This is a popular spot to store your boat if you want to skip the trip north on the ICW.

March 16

Finished the waterway and arrived on the east coast of Florida- Stuart and the Sunset Bay Marina. 

3/7-3/12 Spring Break in Fort Myers Beach

March 7
We travelled 35 miles from Naples north to Fort Myers Beach. We were happy to get a mooring ball here. Just 2 blocks to the beach! We walked all around this colorful, casual, funky town! College spring break was in full swing! The San Carlos bridge comes right into the center of town- an area known as Times Square. This is where the shops and restaurants are.

Coming into Fort Myers Beach 

Looking down on the beach from a rooftop bar.

The mooring field- we were way out there!

March 8

We met Carol's cousin Ann and her partner, Arch for lunch. They are retired teachers from Pennsylvania and winter down here. Got reacquainted and talked a lot about Gram and Gramp's trips to this area. Ann and Arch took us out to their "villa".  It was a lovely neighborhood with tikis and multiple pools. A great home with airy porches and very beachy!

March 9

Carol swam laps at the public pool, directly across from the beach!

Walked over to the Lani Kai Hotel- spring break headquarters, on the Gulf beach. The firefighters from Cincinnatti. put on a stage show here every year for 2 weeks in March.  They have been coming here for 29 years and raise money for charity.  It was a hoot with the guys dancing and bringing girls onstage and throwing out beads to the crowd.

Lani Kai- a kinda tacky Hawaiian themed hotel- Spring Break headquarters!

The Cincinatti Firefighter Show. Never seen anything like it!

March 10

Ann and Arch drove us over to Sanibel Island. We rented bikes and used the separated bicycle/pedestrian paths to explore the island.  Had lunch at Doc Fords. Quiet here.  This is the island known for shelling.

Sanibel Lighthouse

March 11

Did a day of provisioning. Bought shrimp at the market where the fleet docks.

March 12

Today was Fort Myers Beach famous Shrimp Festival! We joined Ann and Archs' friends and watched the parade downtown.

The firefighters had a float!

The shrimp ladies float!

This is a mermaid.

Then we went to dockside Bonita Bills and had fish sandwiches for lunch and listened and danced to the music of DJ Peppermint Patty playing the oldies. It was a riot!

Here is our fun-loving group!  Even Peppermint Patty came out for the photo!

Feb 22-March 6 Marathon to Naples

2/22- 2/28
We contracted a bad case of "Keys Disease" during our 3 month stay in Marathon! We had all the classic symptoms- frequent partying, inability to make a decision or deadline, and accomplishing very little daily!

We researched the Bahamas and the Florida west coast as destinations in terms of weather and wind forecasts. It has been a windy winter here! Rumor has it it has to do with El Nino.
Decided to run up the west coast of Florida, then head east across the Okeechobee Waterway. And then continue north on the ICW.

We provisioned and said goodbye to all our "summer camp" friends we had hung out with. Loved Boot Key Harbor!

Stone crab claws at The Keys Fishery

Captain Jack- At age 91 he still lives on his boat on the dock.  Uses this Home Depot cart as his walker! Lots of interesting characters here.

Our neighbors in Boot Key Harbor out for a farewell dinner.

2/29

Crossed Florida Bay headed north to explore the Everglades. We anchored in Little Shark River. Enjoyed watching the hard working pelicans dive for fish then struggle to get them down their throats. We dinghies around looking for alligators, but couldn't find any. So quiet!

Great day for bow riding!

Fishing underway- just a few nibbles.

3/1

On up the coast- The Everglades have miles of beautiful white sand beaches all along the Gulf, undeveloped.

Stopped in Ten Thousand Islands at Indian Key after a nice sailing day. Beautiful serene anchorage! Watched the dolphins feed around us.  Lots of tour boats from Everglades City.

3/2- 3/4

Continuing north, we came into Marco Island.  The Gulf was like a lake! Back to civilization. We met up with some friends from the Keys and anchored with them in Smokehouse Bay.  Went out to Mangos, dinner and dancing!

The next day we rented bikes and toured all around the island. Stopped at the Marco Island Historical Museum to learn how the island was developed. Almost every home lot is on a man made canal. And the beaches are wide with lovely fine white sand.

Lunch with Tammy and Micheal on Aria.

Coming into Marco Island

3/4- 3/7 

Took a short trip north to Naples. Had a nice sail with the jib. Able to get a mooring ball at the city dock. This is a fancy place! Women in high heels on the dock, men in capri pants and pastel shirts, fancy cars like Miami, private jets coming and going. We walked for miles throughout the town and to the pier and beach. Had lunch at Tin City, an old oyster processing plant on the river. Went to a jazz concert in the park. We were the youngest ones there!

Carol doing laundry on the city dock in Naples

Waterfront estate in Naples.