12/21/2010 SNAKE RIVER ANCHORAGE TO MARATHON MOORING

TUESDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 40 NM

Dan and I did some deep exploring in the Snake River and its ribbon-like streams. The distinctive aroma of the Everglades hit you upon entering one of these tributaries. It was the odor of life, death, decay, food and regeneration – “life’s cycle”.

WE PADDLED THE DINK BACK INTO THE EVERGLADES

We never did see an alligator but the mangrove was rife with birdlife. We found a wading, white bird that we thought might be a White Ibis, vultures, pelicans, swiftly darting kingfishers, and even a woodpecker.

WHITE IBIS?

LURKING VULTURE

WATCHFUL PELICAN

Paddling out one of the streams, we found a raccoon drinking from the waters. Dan let the dink float over towards him and we got within 10 feet. He just eyed us with curiosity and went on about his business. He showed no fear of us.

WE GOT "UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL" WITH THIS WET RACOON

By 10:00 the tide had raised enough for us to make our exit and we set off for Marathon. We basked in the warmth of sunshine as we ticked off the miles going south. So nice! Unfortunately for Captain Dan, much of the day he was also dodging the mine field of crab traps.

CRAB TRAP MARKER



LOOK CLOSELY AND YOU CAN SEE THE CRAB TRAP  MARKERS DOTTING THE WATERS


Soon we were passing under the Seven Mile Bridge and making our turn towards Marathon. We made a quick stop at Burdines for a drink and to check out their facilities then decided to go onto the moorings at the City of Marathon. While still at Burdines, Steven discovered that we had somehow managed to snag a crab trap rope and hacked it off. Guess we will (that’s we as in Dan) have to explore the prop and shaft to make sure none of the rope is still entangled. Always another job!

THE FAMOUS SEVEN MILE BRIDGE LINKING THE KEYS

BURDINES

Our assigned mooring ball was W9 and Steven skillfully snagged the rope and tied us up. Dan and I dinked to the office while Steven, now hooked back to the internet, made communications with Landmark College and engulfed himself in some work.

THE FAMOUS SEVEN MILE BRIDGE THAT LINKS THE KEYS

MARATHON MOORING FIELD

W9 OUR MOORING BALL

Dinner was a ding ride to Castaway, the oldest restaurant on the island. We sampled their alligator appetizer along with our meals of grouper, tuna and sushi. Mighty tasty meal!

12/20/2010 ANCHORAGE IN RUSSELL PASS TO ANCHORAGE IN SNAKE RIVER

MONDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 34 NM

QUEST ANCHORED IN RUSSELL PASS

Since a little exploration was in order this morning, Dan and Steven lowered the dink and we set off. Motoring back to the mouth o f Russell Pass, we passed a group with 1 kayak and 8 canoes that were paddling towards Everglade City.

PADDLING THE WATERS

STEVEN IN THE DINK

Stopping to investigate Indian Key, we discovered the remains of scads of horseshoe crabs. I wonder what predator feeds on these critters. The foundation of this island consists of layer upon layer of shells, some ground to near sand while others are intact.

HORSESHOE CRAB SHELLS

SAND IN THE MAKING

Soon it was time to head back and, once again, pull up anchor to move on. Still enchanted with the dolphin, Steven took time from his reading to snap more photos of their acrobatic dance.

LOOK WHAT WE PULLED  UP WITH THE ANCHOR




TRYING TO CAPTURE THE DOLPHIN MAGIC ON PHONE'S CAMERA

YOU JUST HAVE TO SMILE

We made it to Shark River, deep in the Everglades, just in time to anchor and enjoy the sunset. Our guide book to be on the alert for alligators and pesky mosquitoes but we sighted neither.

ENTERING THE SNAKE RIVER

CAPTURING THE FADING SUN

TONIGHT'S MOON



 

12/19/2010 NAPLES TO ANCHORAGE AT RUSSELL PASS NEAR EVERGLADES CITY

SUNDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 39 NM

After washing off the night deposits from the sea birds, we made our cast off preparations and made our way to the fuel dock to “fill ‘er up”. With that costly chore done, the Quest ambled past the beautiful Naples homes, through Gordon Pass and out into the Gulf for our day’s journey.



GETTING RID OF THE BIRD'S NIGHT DEPOSITS

STEVEN AT THE HELM AND DAN PLOTTING OUR COURSE

BEAUTIFUL NAPLES HOME

We all enjoyed being out in the “Big Waters”, watching sailors enjoying the breeze and admiring the huge condos from a distance.

CATCHING THE WIND

Entering the channel that reaches Everglades City, we crept off the main path and made anchor by Indian Key. It was so quiet and serene back here with just a few neighborhood birds and an anchored sailboat. We watched the sun set and the moon rise from our little hide away.

SUNSET IN RUSSELL PASS

THE WATCHFUL MOON

12/18/2010 NAPLES CITY DOCK

SATURDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 0 NM

NAPLES CITY DOCK

Farmers Market Day in Naples, how could we resist? Dan and I came home with some good loot! Kobe beef bacon, smoked Andouille sausage, Napa cabbage for Alexis’ salad, some yummy Chinese dumplings and a lovely little herb garden. We were having a delightful time until we began feeling little drops, then scurried back for Quest before the deluge began.

MY HERB GARDEN

Dan decided to use this rainy morning to begin rewiring the electrical panel in preparation for the installation of the inverter. The rain came and went, the sun burst out, the sun set - and still he worked. I am happy to report that that phase of the project has been successfully completed!!

DAN, HARD AT WORK!

Steven and I made use of the sunny afternoon by riding the bikes to beautiful Naples Beach. We combed for shells and even dipped our toes into the cold water. No swimming for us weenies, or any other brave folks that we saw.

STEVEN WALKING THE NAPLES BEACH SHORE

NAPLES BEACH PIER

Dan had a most productive day while Steven really got into his vacation mode by sleeping late, touring, relaxing and reading Chasing The Dime by Michael Connelly.

Cover of Chasing the Dime

12/17/2010 MOSS MARINA IN FT. MYERS TO THE CITY DOCK IN NAPLES

FRIDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 26 NM

Now we’re talking! The sun is shining and no sweatshirt is needed!!

Friday is Farmers Market Day here in Ft. Myers so Steven and I perused their stalls. We came home with a mighty tasty pineapple, lots of veggies, a slab of smoked mullet, some German bread and an “air plant” to perk up the Quest. It now lives in a shell that Craig Porter found on the beach of Puerto Abreojos in February.

MY PRETTY  NEW "AIR PLANT"

Steven and Dan made quick work of getting the Quest ready to cast off and soon we were making our way out of the shelter of the bay and out into the waters of the gulf. It was the perfect day to be cruising. Folks were beginning to venture out to enjoy the warm sunshine; walking on the beach, para-sailing, looking for shells and boating. We kicked back and enjoyed each minute.

DAN AND STEVEN STOWING THE RAMP



FOLKS ENJOYING THE SEA, SHORE AND SKY



Not everyone was enjoying! We found this boat hard aground just before we made our way out into the open waters. Someone was not happy!

OOPS!

With only a short distance to travel, soon we were seeing Naples in the distance. Steven was totally enchanted by the official greeters, the charming dolphin. They cavorted all around us, each one vying for our attention.

NORTH NAPLES

We made the turn into Naples Bay and were blown away by some of the magnificent homes. Holy cow! This spread was especially impressive with the main house to the left and the “pool house” off to the right. We didn’t see too many For Sale signs along these shores.

THIS IS THE WHOLE ESTATE

NOW FOR A CLOSE UP OF THE MAIN HOUSE

AND THE POOL HOUSE

The folks at the Naples City Dock welcomed us with homemade Christmas cookies as we checked in and gave us the scoop on the nearby areas to explore.

Image via Wikipedia



This sailboat from Colchester, VT is moored just off our bow and September Song, a boat we traveled with in Illinois, is docked just across from us in the yacht Club. Hay Mac, wish you were here!

COLCHESTER, VT

SEPTEMBER SONG

At dinnertime we made our way to 3ed Street, the home of many ritzy shops and restaurants. We dined at Tommy Bahamas where we had some nice live music going on, the world passing by our street-side table, tasty food and pretty drinks.

PRETTY DRINKS

12/16/2010 MOSS MARINA AT FT. MYERS BEACH

THURSDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 0 NM

THE SUN IS JUST BEGINING TO RISE AS WE LOOK TOWARDS
THE SAN CARLOS BLVD. BRIDGE

Whoa, I think we might be getting a taste of the famous Florida winter weather. The sky is clear and sunny, the winds have totally died down and the temperature is rising to a lovely position in the 70s. Nice!

Our morning bike ride took us to a cute little breakfast joint called the Heavenly Biscuit where we had fresh squeezed orange and grapefruit juices and the best breakfast sandwiches ever. Now this is my kind of fast food! If you want to give it a try, you will find it on the corner of Mango and Estero Blvd.




TAKE A LOOK AT THEIR MENUE



We picked up another Enterprise rental car and made the long trek back to Jim Gilmour’s Farmers Mold in St. Petersburg. Dan had used his address for the shipping of the new satellite antennae, mounting stand and inverter. Now Dan has added these projects to his list. Funny, I bet the TV gets taken care of long before some of those other things that have been on the list for ages!

After a leisurely dinner with Jim, we headed back to Ft. Myers to await Steven’s flight. Even with all the bad weather in the East and Midwest, he made it and was only about an hour late. We are very glad to have him here with us for the next 10 days!

I am so excited to be able to pass on this next bit of fabulous news. Tim and Meg Tyree have announced that they are expecting the arrival of a little Tyree sometime in June!!!!! We are so happy for you! With Becky’s 3, this will bring Grandma Debbie up to 4 grandchildren.

TIM AND MEG EAGER ANTICIPATING THE JUNE ARRIVAL
OF THEIR BUNDLE OF JOY