February 26, 2011

Engine 644 hours; Fuel 174 gallons; lat 026 27 73; long 082 05 42

We raised anchor this morning and we found out why we had such a good hold. It was covered in mud so it must have been buried deep. However a few drops in the water cleared it off and then Brenda washed it off with the hose. We set out down the waterway, around the southern tip of Sanibel Island and crossed under the bridge leading to the Gulf. Once we got under the bridge it was foggy and we had limited visibility. That did not deter some of the go fast boats though as as they raced around. Radar gave us some warning as to their wherabouts and our horn hopefully gave them some warning of ours.

In any case we made it out past the marker buoys where it cleared up and set a course for Naples. It was a beautiful sunny day and it finally got too hot to be up top so we went to the lower helm. Lots and lots of crab pots, one string I saw must have run for about 3 miles - maybe more.

We arrived at Naples around 2 and entered the channel to go the the Naples City Dock. I forgot it was a weekend. It reminded me of the water traffic around South Bay Cove in Georgian Bay on the weekend. I think a lot of people don't have a lot of training on operating a powerboat. Turn the key on, and let her rip even in the channel.

We got in and tied up and went for a drink a the local restaurant/pub. We then went for a walk around and discovered that there was an art show this weekend about 3 blocks from the dock. Unfortunately, it was just closing up so we are going tomorrow. There are artists and craftspeople exhibiting from all over the eastern US, not just Naples.

After our walk we went back to the restaurant for dinner. Surprise, surprise, it was a great dinner. Should have known by the fact that there was an hour wait time to get back in. It was a popular place but we finally got in and got a patio table under the stars.

I think we will stay here until Tuesday. Gulf looks like it will get a little gusty on Monday so we will wait. Besides we are not expected in Marathon until the 7. I think we will phone to let them know we will be arriving earlier.