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!
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| Stone crab claws at The Keys Fishery |
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| 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. |
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| 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!
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| Great day for bow riding! |
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| Fishing underway- just a few nibbles. |
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.
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| Lunch with Tammy and Micheal on Aria. |
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| Coming into Marco Island |
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!
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| Carol doing laundry on the city dock in Naples |
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| Waterfront estate in Naples. |
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