Mike and Patty's Great Loop Adventure 2018-2019

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."