Monday, May 17. Said a temporary goodbye to Boot Key Harbor for the summer. Admiral Tanya at the helm, we departed mooring ball D8 at 0700. Sails up once we passed under the 7 Mile Bridge, leaving the Atlantic behind and returning to the Gulf of Mexico. Winds were stiff at 17-20 mph with gusts to 25. So we reefed both sails and enjoyed a very sporty ride at an average 7.5 knots, arriving at our North Cape Sable anchorage at 1330. Showers off the transom before a yummy dinner of Instant Pot Egg Roll Bowls, which Tanya had to improvise since we had no cell or internet service and her recipe is on Pinterest. Not the best planning!
Tuesday morning May 18 begins with a try out of our new Nemo compact dive system. On a boat lots of things go bump in the night. But hearing more and different bumps than usual, Captain Todd fears we may have picked up a crab or lobster bouy during yesterday’s sail. So out comes Nemo, a device that allows short dives with no air tank. Nemo in the water, and donning mask and flippers, Todd makes a thorough inspection of Casstaway’s belly, only to (thankfully) find nothing amiss. That done, we make a late departure for our next anchorage at Marco Island. With both sails reefed we arrive at Smokehouse Bay in plenty of time for cocktails and a delicious spaghetti dinner.
A lazy day on Wednesday, May 19. Tanya serves delicious Chicken Enchiladas for dinner using a recipe she adapted courtesy of Chef Wendy on EWWE2. On Thursday. May 20, we go ashore to pick up some fresh produce, enjoy a nice walk, and have a scrumptious pizza lunch at Joey’s. Thanks to Captains Angela and Perry Covey for the recommendation! Friday, May 21 Todd breaks out the watermaker and we are then good for tomorrow’s departure.
On to Ft Myers Beach Saturday, May 22. Another stiff ride with full sails until we heel at 25 degrees, Todd clenches, and Tanya lands on her butt in the cockpit. Sails immediately reefed, Todd and Tanya decide that after three months at Boot Key perhaps we need to ease back into our comfort zone a little more slowly. Aside from that hiccup it was a fun sail enjoying dolphin and two sea turtle sightings. By mid afternoon we are tied to ball 46, way in the “back 40” at Mantanzas Mooring Field, having waved hello to our Boot Key friends Scott and Mary Wheeler on Salt Wife on our way past.
Sunday, May 23 was hot and sunny so we enjoyed a restful day just hanging on the boat. Todd grilled a monster ribeye which we shared for dinner. Side note: our ribeyes come from our favorite grocery/produce market, Detwilers, in Palmetto, Florida. Captain Eric on EWWE2 has been kind enough to pick some up for us the last two times he made a land journey. These steaks look like small roasts and are the absolute best! Thanks again to the crew of EWWE2 for showing us what a steak REALLY is!
Monday, May 24 we go ashore at Ft Myers Beach for a day of fun, food, and libations.
We depart Mantanzas on Tuesday, May 25 for a qpick motor to Ding Darling National Wildlife Refuge. A couple of power boats are anchored across the bay, but we are the only sailboat in this little stretch of the world. A nice swim, a warm shower off the stern, cocktails, and a delicious dinner of grilled teriyaki pork chops and brown rice with carrots, water chestnuts, cashews, and green onions. Life is good.
A short and choppy dinghy exploration on Wednesday, May 26 yielded few wildlife sightings but the foliage views were lovely.
Rise and shine on Thursday, May 27. With virtually no wind, we make another short motor, this time to one of our favorite spots – Pelican Bay at Cayo Costa State Park, the southern shore of the Charlotte Harbor channel entrance. With the Memorial Day holiday weekend beginning we want to arrive a day early to nab a good spot as we expect this popular anchorage to fill quickly. We arrived to join only four other boats at anchor, which quickly blossoms to 18 by sunset.
Can’t wait to see who and how many may be joining us before the weekend is over!