March 1, 2011

Lat 26 07 95; long 081 47 57; Fuel 164 gal; Eng 649.48

Left Naples this morning at around 9:30 and got out into the channel which was considerably less busy than when we came in on Saturday. Were followed out by a former Looper on a boat named Odysea and they contacted us for a chat. They were from North Carolina and heading up to the Okechobee Waterway to cross over to the other side of Florida to go home. They completed the Loop in 2007. They explained why it was very skinny water in some parts of the channel coming down from Sarasota. The tides shift the sand all the time and it is best to read which way the tide is flowing and stay on the opposite side since the tide will be taking sand with them.

We got out in the Gulf and went out beyond the three mile limit and turned south. Again lots of crab pots and always had to keep an eye open for them. I had charted our route last night and basically we asked Auto to take us to Indian Key. Worked very well and arrived on time. Just had to watch for the crab pots.

When we arrived at Indian River, we were going to originally anchor out but we needed a good anchorage that was sheltered because a cold front was bringing some bad weather in. The anchorage we chose looked good but the entrance was not the depth shown on the charts so we proceeded into Everglade City and tied up at the Rod and Gun Club for the night. As we traveled into the Everglades City, there were numerous areas of skinny water likely because it was low tide. Tomorrow, when we leave, we leave on the flood not the ebb so that the water should be a little deeper (hopefully). This place is quite a contrast with Naples - this is the backwoods.

Went to dinner at a great restaurant in town which we had eaten at when we visited the Everglades City by car three weeks ago. Great meal. We had to walk back in the rain because the cold front had come through. This is the first rain we have had since Brenda came down in January.

Tomorrow we head for Shark River.