Aquamarina Palm Harbour Marina in Cape Haze, Florida
Day #237: From last evening I beat Mike at cribbage. The two of us were up at 6:30 A.M. for coffee, banana bread, grapefruit and cookies. The weather was partly sunny with temperatures in the high 60's the forecast was for winds to increase to 15 with gusts 20-30 miles per hour. At 10:15 A.M. Mike and I headed over to "It's OK 2" to head out with Kyle and Ed to Useppa Island. Kyle had worked with Sandy from Aquamarina Palm Harbour as she made arrangements for "It's OK 2" to dock at the marina at Useppa and reservations for lunch on the island. The four of us headed out with the winds starting to increase but the ride on the flying bridge was warm and delightful. The four experienced some spray to the flying bridge which was fun. "It's OK 2" docked at Useppa. Ed, Kyle, Mike and I registered with the island staff deciding that they had time to walk part of the island before lunch as we had reservations at 1 P.M at the Collier Inn. The island is beautiful and full of palm trees and banyan trees mixed in it's botanical garden. There are island homes, cottages and suites. The four of us enjoyed the beautiful flowers and trees along the walking trail. At 1:00 P.M. we had a great lunch outside at the Collier Inn. The temperature was 72 degrees but the clouds moved in and the winds were gusty. After lunch we completed the walking tour of the island. Before leaving the island the four of us headed to the gift shop to purchase some items. Ed thought it a better idea that he drive the boat from the lower helm as the winds had picked up and Charlotte Harbor was getting rough. Ed was correct, we were in the inside of "It's OK 2" when waves were hitting the starboard beam in seas that Ed characterized as "snotty". Once the boat was in the intercoastal the ride was much smoother. The boat arrived back at Aquamarina at 5:30 P.M. where Jan and David assisted with helping with dock lines. The six of us enjoyed cocktails on "It's OK 2". Finally it was time for Mike and I to head back to the "Parrot Bay" after a great day with Kyle and Ed. We had a light dinner onboard followed by blogging and reading.
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Dolphin jumping in "It's OK 2"s wake.
Entering Useppa Island channel.
"Lady Chadwick" tour boat arrived at Useppa Marina just prior to us arriving.
Useppa Marina dock master office.
This was at the beginning of the tour. There were beautiful flowers in the ground, growing in pots attached to the trees and growing out of the trees. |
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King of the coconut.
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| Marty from Aquamarina Palm Harbour Marina had told us that we would enjoy the "pink path" and we did. |
Banyan tree.
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Ed, Kyle and me at the banyan tree.
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Mike and Patty at the banyan tree.
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The banyan tree and "pink path".
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Another beautiful banyan tree.
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| Here the flowers are in pots attached to the tree. |
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Ibis
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Ed, Kyle, Mike and I had a great meal at The Collier Inn.
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This hammock hasn't been used in a bit look at the Spanish moss.
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One of the homes on the island. Beautiful palm trees leading up to the house.
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| Different looking palm tree with a triangle in its trunk. |
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Seed pod from a mahogany tree.
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| Beautiful butterfly garden but there were no butterflies when the group passed by the area. |
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| Our group had a great day on Useppa Island. |
