Aquamarina Palm Harbour Marina in Cape Haze, Florida to City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin in Fort Myers, Florida

Day #271: From last evening I beat Mike at cribbage. The two of us were both up at 6:00 A.M. to prepare for departure. At 6:30 A.M. the two of us put the anchor back in the holder as it has been on the bow of the boat so that it didn't get caught on the dock due to the tides.  At 6:45 A.M. Sheryl and Larry came aboard the "Parrot Bay" to say "goodbye". At 7:00 A.M. engines were started. At 7:15 A.M. Mike was backing the boat out of the slip-he did a great job in tight quarters. On our way out of the marina Mike sounded the boat's Kahlenberg horn (I'm sure that the marina patrons were happy to see the "Parrot Bay" heading out never to return). At 8:50 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was passing the Boca Grande inlet with a dolphin in it's wake. "Parrot Bay" at 9:30 A.M. passed by both Useppa Island and Cabbage Key. At 11:20 A.M. we have traveled as far South as we are going to and now are starting to head North. At 11:30 A.M. "Parrot Bay" was in the "miserable mile which is named because of the cross currents are terrific for sail boaters with such a narrow channel to maneuver. Cruising from green marker "1" to red "10". If you're outside the markers even a foot, you stand a good chance of running aground. We saw boat traffic that was very heavy but luckily it was headed West out of the Caloosahatchee River with very little traffic heading East like the "Parrot Bay". At 1:30 P.M. "Parrot Bay" was secured at D-6 at City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin. Today, Mike and I traveled 53 miles (so far this trip we have traveled 2540 miles).  The two of us decided that since we both only  had Pumpkin granola bars that we would go out to dinner. At 2:00 P.M. the two of us walked to "Ford's Garage" and had burgers for lunch/dinner. In 1885, inventor Thomas Alva Edison was cruising Florida's west coast and stopped to visit Fort Myers. He built his home "Seminole Lodge" as a winter retreat which Mike and I are hoping to visit on Monday. The two of us walked back to the marina for a few boat jobs followed by blogging. The plan is to stay at City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin for at least two nights then the two of us will re-evaluate the weather situation. Sunday night phone calls for Mike and myself.

Sunrise over Cape Haze.

Captain Mike looking out over Don Pedro anchorage.

One more look at the entrance to Don Pedro Island State Park. One of Mike and my favorite places on the trip.

Gasparilla swing bridge.  We lowered the mast so we could fit under without having to call the bridge tender to have the bridge swung open which is quicker.  

Gasparilla old railroad bridge. 

Boca Grande Rear Range (Gasparilla Island) Lighthouse.

Dolphin in "Parrot Bay's" wake.

Useppa Island was a great time with Ed and Kyle. 

Cabbage Key was a great time with Ed and Kyle as well. 

The osprey like to inhabit the channel markers along the intercoastal waterway.

"Lady Chadwick" from Captiva Cruises. 

This is as far south as Mike and I will go on this trip 26 deg, 28.418 min of North latitude. From now we start heading north.  

"Miserable Mile" 

People enjoy watching hundreds of boats out for a Sunday fun day.

Sanibel Causeway

"Miserable Mile" all of those little white dots that are heading toward "Parrot Bay" are boats and lots of them.

On the intercoastal waterway-looks like a fun time. 

"Parrot Bay's" NEBO track from Aquamarina Palm Harbour in Cape Haze, FL to City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin, Fort Myers, FL.

Dedicate in memory of Roland J. Duff who passed away May 7, 1995 while making a parachute jump in Russia at age 79. "This jump was in commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Normandy landing Rollie was an original pathfinder at the Merderet River LaFiere Bridge 2nd Bn 507th 82d Airborne WW2."

Over the bar at "Ford's Garage".

Shop Rag napkin and a radiator clamp for a napkin ring.

My hamburger and fries from "Ford's Garage".

The sink in the lady's room at "Ford's Garage". 

Restroom door handle at the "Ford's Garage".

Banyan tree near the marina.

"Parrot Bay" is docked here for a few nights. 

"Rumours" is a hair and spa which is a building on a floating barge at the marina.

"Parrot Bay" in her slip at the City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin.

Sitting on the boat this little one is all that you can hear in the marina along with mom when she is unhappy.

Beautiful sunset over Fort Myers.

Aquamarina Palm Harbour Marina in Cape Haze, Florida

Day #270: From last evening Mike beat me at cribbage. The two of us were up at 6:30 A.M. for coffee, grapefruit and Rice Krispies. After reviewing wind/weather apps and listening to the local weather we decided that we would leave on Sunday. I called City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin to see if they could accommodate the "Parrot Bay" one day earlier which they were able to do so I changed our reservation. The two of us launched the dinghy for one more trip to the Don Pedro Island State Park. Mike and I had a great time collecting shark teeth. At 10:30 A.M. it was time to head back to the boat to start getting ready for departure on Sunday. We had lunch onboard the boat before getting the buggy down to walk to Publix for a few food items. After Publix we were very hot so the two of us decided to take one more dip in the pool. At 4:00 P.M. it was time to start getting the boat ready so I started two loads of laundry. Mike and I lowered the mast, removed the seat and dashboard covers, I prepared the items that will be needed for the flying bridge, Mike gathered the charts and removed the sun awnings. At 6:00 P.M. the two of us said our goodbyes to people that we met here at the marina and have spent time with over the last 4 months. Both the two of us very much enjoyed the friendships that we both made and how the liveaboard community accepted us into their family. The two of us headed over to say a final goodbye to our friends Sheryl and Larry. After we headed back to the boat to complete a few more boat jobs before retiring for reading and blogging.

This sailboat has been just down from and right next to the "Parrot Bay". Finally today the owner came to take the sailboat to a different marina.

It has been a great four months but it's time to move on.

Here I am looking for shark teeth one last time on Don Pedro Island State Park (thanks Mike!).

Look who came to say "goodbye". Busy chasing fish along the seawall.
 

Cruising next to the "Parrot Bay".

Busy playing under the dock in the north marina basin.
 

At sunset, Roger and Mike blew their conch shells.  

Aquamarina Palm Harbour Marina in Cape Haze, Florida

Day #269: Mike and I were up at 6:00 A.M. for coffee, grapefruit, cookies and mini lemon poppy seed muffins. After breakfast the two of us launched the dinghy heading for Don Pedro Island State Park. Due to the winds yesterday the beach had turned over so the beach had new shells and shark teeth. At 10:30 A.M. we headed back to the marina. The two of us had lunch onboard before taking the rental car back to Enterprise. Upon returning to the boat from Enterprise we headed to the pool. Mike and I were joined by Larry, Sheryl, Betsy and Sue. It was partly sunny with temperatures in the mid-70's. I did two loads of laundry while frolicking in the pool.  At 4:30 P.M. Betsy, Sue, Mike and I headed to the Placida Grille for a going away celebration. The four of us had a great meal. Great to spend time with our new friends. At 6:30 P.M. we headed back to the marina. It was time for cleaning, blogging, reading for Mike and I onboard the "Parrot Bay". The plan at this time is for Mike and us to leave on Monday, April 1st for Fort Myers. It is looking like we may be in Fort Myers for a few days as right now the winds are suppose to pick up starting Tuesday through Friday. The two of us are continuing to watch the weather closely.

                                                                                  

                            Mike and I love it when they get to Don Pedro Island State Park 
                                                        and we are the first ones on the dock.

This one Mike and I have not seen at Don Pedro. This pontoon captain decided not to park in a slip but parked across two slips. Luckily today it was not busy at the park or it could have gotten ugly as normally there are boats milling around waiting for someone to leave. 

Chocolate brownie, chocolate sauce, chocolate ice cream with homemade whip cream.

Great dinner with friends Mike, Betsy, Sue and myself.

Aquamarina Palm Harbour Marina in Cape Haze, Florida

Day #268: Mike and I were up at 6:30 A.M. for coffee, mini lemon poppy seed muffins, grapefruit and cookies. The two of us headed to Publix to re-provision their food supplies in preparations to leave Aquamarina. After putting the food away we headed to ACE Hardware for a few items. The two of us then worked on route planning as it is looking like Monday, April 1st will be the day that we head to Fort Myers. Mike worked on the route plan and I called City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin to make reservations for Monday (with the possibility of staying additional nights as it looks like the winds are going to pick up again middle of next week). Mike reviewed the Skipper Bob's book making sure that he has all of the bridges and locks listed with phone numbers/VHF radio channel. Beautiful sunny day, 72 degrees but extremely windy with sustained winds of 16 with gusts in the high 20's.  After lunch we did a bit more trip planning. The two of us headed up to the flying bridge for some reading and relaxation. At 4:15 P.M. Mike and I headed up to the cabana as Linda and Ron from "Some Kind of Wonderful" made margaritas in the Jimmy Buffet blender as a going away present for Mike and myself. At 5:30 P.M. it was time for the two of us to head back to the boat for dinner. Mike and I made homemade nachos. After dinner cleanup it was time for blogging and reading. At 7:30 P.M. Mike and I decided to go over to "Meander" (aka "Optimystique") to meet the new owners, Carolyn and Lynn. They invited Mike and I aboard to join them in a champagne celebration for their first night aboard.

Osprey on a light pole at Publix.

Linda making margaritas as a goodbye for Mike and myself.

Ron and Linda's Jimmy Buffet Margaritaville blender.
 

Ron relaxing at the pool.

These people are not from the marina they borrowed a few pool chairs putting them on the gas dock to enjoy the sunset .

Mike and I stopped by "Meander" (aka "Optimystique") to meet the new owners Carolyn and Lynn. They invited us to join them for their champagne celebration.

Aquamarina Palm Harbour Marina in Cape Haze, Florida

Day #267: From last evening Mike beat me at cribbage. The two of us were up at 6:30 A.M. for coffee, grapefruit, lemon poppy seed muffins and cookies. Mike and I needed to do more re-provisioning so we headed to Publix, post office, ACE Hardware, CVS, Englewood Chamber of Commerce and Office Depot. After returning to the boat I received a text from "Island Girl" as they were cruising by Aquamarina Palm Harbour on their way to Sarasota from their Key's trip. I went over to see Sue and Betsy receiving a tour of "Hadley" a Rosborough which is beautiful. Mike and I worked on paperwork and turned off the freezer getting it ready for departure. After lunch the two of us headed to the post office and Swim Mart one more trip before we leave. David and Jan headed to the pool in the afternoon so Mike and I went over to enjoy a beverage with them. At 4:00 P.M. David, Jan, Mike and I hopped into the rental vehicle heading out for an evening of fun. The four of us headed to the Beach Road Boutique on Manasota Key. After a bit of shopping the group of us then headed to the White Elephant for dinner sitting out over the water. After dinner Mike and I took David and Jan to Barefoot Trader for a bit of shopping. It was a bit to early for sunset so the our group headed to Blind Pass looking for a shark teeth. The sun dropped below a cloud deck so the four of us had a great sunset at 7:44 P.M. It was then time for David, Jan, Mike and I to head back to the marina.

Tomorrow David and Jan will be turning the keys over to the new owner of "Optimystique".  We have gotten to know David and Jan while looping and especially over the last three months here at Aquamarina Palm Harbour. Again, this is not goodbye but we will see you again soon.

Ken and Karen on "Island Girl" cruising by Aquamarina Palm Harbour on their way back from the Keys.

Waiting for the sun to pass through the clouds at sunset.
 

Four friends myself, Mike, David and Jan.

Sun dropping below the clouds heading for a great sunset. 

Loving the sunset. 

Mike and I at sunset at Blind Pass.

Beautiful colors at sunset.