Florida Keys – here we come!We had a relatively smooth cruise across Florida Bay to Marathon today. Vivid blue skies and turquoise water.We were so happy to meet up with all of our cruising buddies at 1 Palm Court (Sombrero Marina). We had to anchor out in Hawks Channel since Marathon is a busy place this time of year and we couldn't get a slip or even a mooring ball. So we dinghied in to Sombrero for a big breakfast…
Due to very unpredictable weather lately and having to pick our weather days to move along our route we had to move quickly through the Everglades. This was disappointing for us as this is one of our favorite places. Tonight we anchored out near Indian Key. It was calm as could be tonight and we hope the weather holds for our trip to Marathon tomorrow.
From Fort Myers Beach we took the outside route to an anchorage just outside of the Naples harbor right in the middle of some amazing million dollar homes.On Tuesday we moved to the Naples City Dock's mooring field for a three day visit to catch up on some work and to visit with some friends from home who have rented a house down here for the winter.Our friends Gary and Carol (below), from Traverse City, picked us up on Tuesday…
After three days of extremely windy and cold weather we left Fort Myers Beach at day break, in relative calm waters, for the run to Naples.
First order of business when we arrived in the Fort Myers Beach harbor was to take on some fuel at Ballards (below). Jim enjoyed talking to the attendant, he had a lot of boating stories to tell.Next we had to grab a mooring ball to tie up to for the next three days.Our Looper friends Charlie and Linda, Freedom's Turn, joined us for a night, they are traveling down south from Michigan visiting all the Looper friends they met on…
A peaceful afternoon and evening in the right outside of Tarpon Point Marina. Tomorrow we head for Fort Myers Beach to wait out some predicted windy weather and to meet up with some friends.
We're at Tarpon Point Marina in Cape Coral today for a reunion with some boater friends that we have not seen in awhile. They have rented a condo here so we decided to stay at the marina for the night to visit with them. As you can see from the photos it is a very nice marina.
The last time we saw Andy & Mary Sarver, Good News and Brad and Patti Salvage on Salvage Crew was last spring in Solomons, Maryland. At that time they thought they may be renting a condo in Florida on the Gulf Coast side this winter sometime and as luck would have it we happened to be traveling through Cape Coral where they rented a condo together for a month.Happy hour was at the condo followed by dinner at a restaurant…
Early morning light in Pelican Bay was amazing. A bit windy while we were here and today we will be out in some of open, probably rough water as we make our way to Cape Coral.
We love the free dock the city of Venice provides for boaters. The downtown area is about a mile, or so, walk from the dock and the Crows Nest Restaurant, which we love, is just a few blocks away. Today we got here in time to see the Just Ducky tour boat drive up to and out the boat launch. This is our fourth time using this free dock.There is some talk that the city of Venice wants to do away…
From St. Pete we returned to Longboat Key to anchor for the night. This is our third time in this anchorage and each occasion has been delightful. There are several white pelicans here that we enjoy watching as they fish near our boat.
Even though the weather was not the best we still had a lot of fun in St. Pete. We got to visit with the Metro family, whom we met last year in Venice, Florida. Diane, Jim's mom was here with us for most of the time and it was a fun stop to share with her. We'll be back because this town has a lot to offer a visiting boater.We couldn't leave St. Pete without stocking up on veggies and…
St. Petersburg was our next stop and a place we had never been to before so all of us got to experience it together. The beauty of St. Pete, for boaters, is that the downtown area and everything one might need is within walking distance from the harbor. Restaurants, museums, grocery and drug store are all within walking distance along with five miles of park that graces the waterfront. Unfortunately it rained most of the time we were in St. Pete…
We just spent a wonderful week with Mom... aka Diane (Jim’s mother) and had a wonderful time. Diane, like Barby (Lisa’s mom) is very easy to have on the boat and goes with the flow as easily as if she always travels with us. A couple of days after her arrival we left Tarpon Springs for an anchorage but first we made a brief stop at Caledesi Island so we could walk the beach and collect sea shells. My mother…
Don't know what the big gesture Jim is performing for his mother (above left) but I'm pretty sure it has something to do with a boat story. Diane Thompson, Jim's mom, is on board with us for a week. While still in Tarpon Springs we rented a car and picked her up at the airport on Wednesday. Of course, as always when we have access to a vehicle we shopped all morning on our way to pick her up.We knew that both…
On Barby's last day on the boat Lisa's brother and family (Mart, Gina, Christina, Tanya and Craig) came up to Tarpon Springs from their home in Dunedin, Florida (only about ten miles away). We always love to stop on the west coast of Florida because it means we can visit with Mart and his family. They always take time to drive to us, wherever we are docked, for a good visit. When they left they took Barby along with them…
It is only about 14 miles from Caladesi Island to Tarpon Springs so the cruise should have taken only an hour and a half. This morning, in the dense fog, it took us twice as long to arrive.One of our favorite stops is Tarpon Springs. A week long visit to immerse ourselves in all things Greek... music, sponge divers, shells and of course the incredible food. We arrived mid-day at the Tarpon Springs Municipal Marina and we took off to…
We were to leave Caladesi Island today to go to Tarpon Springs but there were high winds and very unstable weather. No problem for us as Jim and I did some more exploring of the island. We took the 2.5-mile trail around the island and got our dose of fresh air for the day. We didn't see much wildlife but the hammock was lush and inviting.We took Thomas' advice and sat for a while and just listened.Today all the birds…
The weather held out today for an amazing walk on the beach. After all the cold weather we've experienced lately it was a real treat to soak up some warm sunshine. The pristine beaches of Caladesi Island provided the crew of Kismet an opportunity to collect some sea shells and much needed exercise. Tomorrow the weather appears to be degrading with heavy winds and rain. We may just have to stay another day.
We have always wanted to visit Caladesi Island. Lisa's brother, Mart, who lives in Florida has been telling about this island for years. While Barby was traveling with us we made it a priority to visit at least for one night as we make our way to Tarpon Springs.Caladesi Island was named the No. 1 Beach in America by Dr. Stephen Leatherman, A.K.A. Dr. Beach. The marina has 108 slips and as you can see it was mostly empty today.…
Barby (Lisa's mother) enjoyed the ride to Caladesi Island today. We ran outside on the bow quite often to watch the dolphins swimming and playing alongside our boat. Lots of bridges today but no long delays.We came to this one area where there appeared to be hundreds of seagulls dotting the water. As we got closer we could see why, because of the cold weather Florida has had lately a lot of fish have been dying and this one particular…
Longboat Key was busy today. Lots of boats anchored, mostly sailboats. We were lucky to see some white pelicans fishing near our boat. We grilled steaks on the back of the boat and played cards.We were hailed on the radio today by James & Sharon Angel on Blue Angel as they were passing us heading south. The Angels have completed their Loop and still enjoy cruising.Loopers Joe & Joyce Essery, Takitez II, anchored shortly after we did and stopped by…
We've come to Venice, Florida to rent a car to pick up my (Lisa) mother from Dunedin for a week long cruise on Kismet.Jim stayed on the boat while I rented a car to drive up to my brother's house in Dunedin. We had a fun visit with my two niece's, Tanya and Christina and her son Ethan and nephew, Craig. We had a fun ride back to the boat stopping for lunch and a little shopping on the way.
A couple of anchorages on our way to Venice. It's been windy and a little cold at night but we still enjoy the peacefulness of swinging on the hook.
Jim took this shot of the beautiful orchids, which were behind a gauze curtain that protected them from the chilly weather, while I shopped for fresh produce at the Fort Myers Farmers Market, held every Thursday downtown under the Caloosahatchee bridge.Another highlight of spending a few nights in Fort Myers was that we ran into Fred and Joan Myers. They have a winter home in the area and were just visiting Fort Myers for a Senior Expo and decided to…
We were warned by a east bound boater that there was lots of "ice" ahead and to be careful as it was pretty thick. Well, we knew it was cold but we were surprised that we may run into an ice slick on a river in Florida. Our eyes were wide open and looking for the glistening "white" stuff but as we approached this bed of water hyacinths we laughed as suddenly we were pretty sure the boater said "hyacinth"…
Tonight's accommodations were exceptional, simple, quiet and easy. The town of LaBelle provides this free dock for boaters to tie up for a safe place to stay for the night.
When we left our spot on the "dolphins" this morning we sailed right through the lock since it has been completely open since we arrived last night. So our first lock today was a breeze.Not a whole lot to see while out in the middle of Lake Okeechobee but when you start to approach the other side, Coot Bay and Clewiston (on the west shore), it is a visual delight. Different from anywhere else we have been with the dead…
We had a peaceful stop tonight tied up to a couple of the big "dolphins,"these are sets of 6 pilings, spaced 45 to 60 feet apart, situated by locks for barges and pleasure craft to tie up to while waiting for the lock to open or to spend the night if one so chooses. We tied up to this set located just before the Port Mayaca Lock which separates the St. Lucie Canal and Lake Okeechobee. The lock was open…
It’s always a treat for us to be able to catch up with friends from home while we’re boating. The Ways (Scott, Angie, Hilary, Amber and Tyler of Charlevoix left on a family educational adventure last fall (www.waybigadventure.com) and were staying on Nettles Island visiting Angie’s mother, Teresa, when we arrived to the island. For perspective Nettles Island is just off Hutchinson Island and the ICW about 10 miles NE of Stuart, Florida. The small island started out as a…
The city of Cocoa also has a nice free dock for boaters passing through with a view overlooking the city's lights. We had dinner at Thai Thai Sushi Bar. Excellent choice, the fried rice was to die for.Haulover Canal is a pretty cut through the Canaveral National Seashore Park area. Lots of fishermen dot this canal in little boats or onshore.We love to see white pelicans. There was a flock of them at Fort Matanzas the other day and we…
A quick stop in downtown New Smyrna for the night at the free dock. This dock on the edge of the town's park We love this little bakery (below) and always pick up something to make our morning even sweeter.
Unfortunately, after our informative tour of Fort Matanzas, we had a little dinghy accident. As we were dragging the dinghy off the sand and into the water we suddenly heard a loud hissing sound coming from underneath one of the pontoons. A sharp shell embedded in the sand had sliced a six inch gash on one side of the dinghy. OPPS!!!After an initial moment of panic, we were wondering how we would get across the cold water, which had quite…
We were fortunate to tour Fort Matanzas when Kevin McCarthy was on duty as the tour guide. In my next life I would love to have Kevin as my history teacher. He has a very good grasp of local history and delivers his knowledge with lots of zest and enthusiasm.The Matanzas Inlet is 14 miles south of St. Augustine. The construction of Fort Matanzas (the spanish word for “slaughter”) in 1740-42, was Spain’s last effort to ward off British encroachments on…
Cold and a little dreary this time in St. Augustine. We did a quick walk around the downtown district and decided it was just not that enjoyable in the cold so we headed over to one of our favorite Cuban restaurants, Habana Village to put some warm food in our tummies. This is the only restaurant we have ever found that serves fried yucca which is similar to a fried potato but a little heavier. We found this little gem…
Refueling at Palm Cove Marina then on to an anchorage at Pine Island.Dinner was on Bella Luna tonight. Grilled pork chops, mashed potatoes and pear salad. Yummy!!! After that a quick game of Liverpool and lots of hugs as Bella Luna takes off early in the morning without us. Unfortunately we had to split up as our schedules differ. They need to be south quicker to meet up with friends who will accompany them to Marathon and we need to…
Quite by happen-chance we hooked up with Terry and Judi Wilcox who keep their Huckins, Litenup III, at the Huckins Marina just up the river from where we’re docked. They had us over to their boat where we discussed long distance cruising as well as getting a tour of their 65-foot wooden classic. We enjoyed dinner together a few nights later at the Florida Yacht Club and really got to delve into our mutual boating passions.Huckins was started here in…
After a two-night layover, due to high winds, in Palatka, our last stop on the St. Johns River was also where we began it. However that day, a couple of weeks ago, Bella Luna was with us heading south on the river.One of the nicest things about traveling on this river during the off season is that, other than the small fishing or pleasure boats we only saw one or two boats our size the whole trip DOWN & BACK. Look…
It's cold and rainy today so we sought refuge at the free dock in Welaka. We made note of this dock as we were heading south on the river. As boaters are always looking for an inexpensive (or even better) free dockage. We think it's important to make sure we go into town to re-provision, eat at a restaurant and make use of the town's services when visiting a town dock, especially one that is provided free of charge to the boating…
After another leasurely morning and with no exact destination in mind other than turning our boat around and heading north towards Jacksonville, we decided to make a big day of it by traveling 34 miles to Silver Glen Springs, just off Lake George.Silver Glen Springs We weren't sure we could make it into this reportedly shallow area but we were determined to give it a good try. Wow, are we ever glad we did. Silver Glen Springs goes about three-quarter's of…
Because we were only traveling eight miles today we had a leisurely morning at anchor enjoying the beauty of nature before heading to Hontoon Island State Park. In the course of these eight miles we saw three bald eagles, five or six mannatee, several alligators and a big stork.The only way onto Hontoon Island is by private boat or a pontoon ferry that runs from across the river. This is a State Park that has slips for dockage with a…
After our farewell with Louis and Diane we had a nice walk through Sanford before we embarked for a leasurely eight mile cruise north, to an oxbow across from Wekiva River. We had heard taking a dinghy ride up this river was something we should not miss and we were not disappointed. The river meanders back off of the St Johns River for about five miles and the further you navigate back the wilder it becomes. Wild in that this…
For the last six weeks we have had the pleasure of sharing our boating travels with Louis and Diane Wade, Bella Luna. We have had dinners on-board one or the other boat or we've all gone out to have a taste of the local cuisine. We've played games, made repairs to our boats, visited with each other's friends and family, took shore excursions and just plain had fun.So it was bittersweet today when we gave each other hugs and said goodbye…
Sanford, Florida, the most southern point on the St. Johns River concludes the first half of our trip before we head north and stop at some places we missed on the way south. So we decided to stay two days so that we could take our time exploring.Between rain showers though we walked into the quaint downtown where we (Louis, Diane, Lisa and I) had a very authentic Germany dinner at Hollenbach’s Willowtree Café. The food was exceptional and to…
A beautiful, tropical spot to anchor for the night. Shortly after the anchors are set the dinghies are dropped for a trip over to visit Blue Spring State Park, just around the bend from our boats.Blue Spring State Park One of the wildlife highlights of our St Johns trip so far happened today at Blue Springs. We anchored just around the bend from the springs and dinghied over to see what all the fuss was about.First of all Blue Springs is…
