Water everywhere - beautiful water but when will i see land? - May 9 to 10, 2011

We slep in really late at Fort Myers Beach and took it easy, around 3pm we started getting ready - seems like an odd time to leave.  After fuelling up again including 14 gas cans, we left at 5pm. 

The sunset was nice. 

We followed the shore about 3 miles off shore until it was dark.  We could still see lights from building as we got further.  The waves were coming at us from the NW and it made it a little rough but it settled down around 10pm.  There was nothing to look at so i decided i might as well sleep on the deck.   

Mom and Dad stayed up all night and once in a while would wake me up by stepping over me.

The sunrise was beautiful but when i look around there was no land!!!!  only water... what am i going to do?

Daddy tried fishing for a while and then we followed some dolphins that were playing  in front of the boat.  And we saw quite a few giant turtles, again no pictures, someday we'll get one.

Only water forward

Only water behind us....

They sure seem to be having fun.

Around 10 am we finally saw a couple of boats, then an hour later we saw the first marker. 

Carnival Cruise Ship in port

It was still a long ride down the channel.  Our speed never changed 6.5 knots.  As we headed towards Key West, we saw lots of tour boats, fishing boats and then a cruise ship was docked at the entrance.  We had to go around Fleming Key, this time we didn't anchor. 

 

Boats anchored

Mommy layed down on the anchor pulpit and grabbed one of the many white balls floating.  She then tied us to it.  The boats around are all tied to one of these white balls, they call it Garrison Bight mooring field.  We picked one that was right next to another boat flying the Canadian flag. 

Mooring Field

It is now 1pm and i really need to get to land.  Mom and Dad are trying to get things organized quickly and we finally head to shore.  Its a long ride in, about 2 miles is what daddy said, they have a special dock only for dinghy.   We walked to the closest store to get more water and then headed back to the boat.  we chatted with our Canadian neighbor, which unfortunately is not headed south like us.  Mom and Dad are hoping to find a sailing buddy while we're in Key West.  We then went to bed early.  Tomorrow we'll visit Key West.

South to Fort Myers Beach - May 8, 2011

After a quick tender ride to shore and lots of attention as 2 tour boats has stopped at the Cayo Costa state park we went to the ICW again. 

We travelled thru the Pine Island Sound to San Carlos Bay where there was more bigs homes and lots of traffic being a Sunday.  

 




We then entered a narrow channel with sand bars to one side and went to a Marina!! Yeh!! Land!! 

Mommy said only 1 night to recharge batteries, do laundry and get a good night sleep because of our next step.  I wonder what that is??  We stayed at Moss Marina and everyone there was very nice.  They had a big casino cruise ship that was docked there.

 

My walks were short cause it was sos hot - so there is only a few pictures from this stop. 

I was also not allowed on their beach or the pier but did get a fair amount of attention. 

Fort Myers Beach

Pier of Fort Myers Beach

Old outboard engines decorate this building

Can't wait to see what we do tomorrow....

Encouter with Manatees and Cabbage Key!! - May 7, 2011

  This morning we went for a 3 mile walk thru Cayo Costa State Park. 

We saw a centipede, some people in tents, a beautiful beach (where i wasn't allowed) and some ospreys. 

 

I was exhausted!!! 

 

We went to the boat but i wasn't allowed off the zodiac.  We replenished our water and we went to a little canal thru the mangroves that led to a lagoon. 

We then saw these sea cows.  I guess they are called Manatees,  Daddy turned off the engine to not hurt them cause they are an endangered species. 

It was all good looking over the edge till one got under the zodiac and then i was nervous and started moving around.  Mom thought we might all fall in.  The Manatees seemed to be having fun.  We used the oars to get away from them, then started the engine to leave the lagoon.  We went around Punta Blanca Island to Cabbage Key - this island has no paved roads or cars.  It is only about 100 acres and only accessible by boat, helicopter or seaplane!  We found out that i wasn't allowed there so Mom and Dad took turns to go take pictures of this cool restaurant and turtles running around. 

Cabbage Key Inn Restaurant made famous by Jimmy Buffet's "Cheeseburger in Paradise".

Around $10,000 falls from the ceiling and walls each year and is given to charity.

We returned to the boat a different way, it seemed to take forever.  I was getting hot so mommy put a towel on my head, and that seemed to help with the heat. 

It was an early night to bed for all of us.



Me falling asleep on the steps when we got back.