Heading North from Marathon

We headed north from Marathon with intention of crossing to the Bahamas, but Fitzcat hit something in the water and damaged the sail drive on the starboard side. We anchored with our friends on the Great Catsby, calling a diver from Towboat US to check the damage. Here is a picture of the Great Catsby















Headed into Black Point to have damage checked by mechanics.












Cruising Biscayne Bay in light winds.

Marathon

Approaching the 7 mile bridge

It really is 7 miles long.

Entering the harbor in Marathon.

There is a mooring field here for 260 boats. I never seem to tire of the wonderful sunsets

Goodlands to the Little Shark River in the Everglades

Fitzie rides in the dinghy in Don's jacket.

This was most unusual. We were sailing off the coast and saw this fire. Later, the Coast Guard announced that the Everglades Park was doing a controlled burn. We never did understand why.
Little Shark River in the Everglades.

At anchor in the Little Shark River.

Goodlands, Florida

We had so much fun in Goodlands at this funky place called Stan's Idle Hour. Even Fitzie was welcome.

Fitzie

The entertainer sang "Puppy Love" to Fitzie.

Stan's has some unique characters.

Southwest Florida

Storm coming in the anchorage in Ft. Myers Beach.

Motoring through the ICW between Marco Island and Goodlands.

It is very common to see Osprey build nests in the daymarks along the waterways. There is an osprey in this nest. Osprey come back to the same nest year after year and, each year the nests become more elaborate.

We arrive in Goodland. How many wonderful sunsets on the west side of Florida can there be?

Cabbage Key

The famous inn at Cabbage Key where Jimmy Buffett wrote Cheeseburger in Paradise.

Look at all these dollar bills. The story is that at one time a fisherman took a bill and wrote his name on it, posting it in the restaurant. Should he come back without any money, the bill would be there. It is considered good fortune for all others to do the same.

"Floyd". He would like to know if he can join us for dinner.

This picture, taken from Cabbage Key, with Fitzcat anchored in the background.

Cruising from Indian Rocks Beach to Venice

Storm on ICW just before we get started.

Our dock inVenice

Bob, Terry, Chet, and Sharon drive down to see us and have dinner with us at the Crow's Nest in Venice.

Cruising in very light winds off the Florida coast.