A quick trip from Ft. Myers Beach to Boot Key Harbor in Marathon

We had been dealing with engine belt problems since January in Vero Beach, so with advice from several CCYC friends we ordered a new pulley system for the alternator and Dan installed it.  Unfortunately the pulleys came with the wrong size belts and it took time and several calls to get the right ones.  SO as we prepared to depart Ft. Myers Dan ordered two extra belts to have as spares.  They ended up back ordered!  We wanted to leave Snook Bight on a high tide Monday afternoon, and luckily the belts arrived at 3:15 pm and we shoved off at 3:20!  The forecast was for light winds, 5-10 knots from the NE.  It ended up being W for most of the night but it wasn't a problem and we made it to the Seven Mile Bridge/Moser Channel around 10:30 am and made it into Marathon by noon.  What would an overnight passage be without a sunset and sunrise picture!

There actually was a green flash in the picture on the left - - it's just hard to see.  Middle picture was 5 minutes later
and, of course, sunrise the next morning.

We picked up a mooring ball and were headed in to pay when we saw a Catalina 380 from Bethlehem, PA!  We hailed them as we went by and chatted a bit.  They told us the SSCA (Seven Seas Cruising Association) was having a pot luck up next to the office so we had a short nap and joined about 40 sailors ashore for an enjoyable meal.  As Dan was putting potato packets on the grill he met Brian Mistrot who is the Technical Editor for the C-400 association.  We have been in correspondence with him for at least 9 years, so it was fun to meet him and exchange ideas. He and his wife Christie live aboard with their two sons (10 and 13) and are home schooling them.  We may see them in the Chesapeake this summer.

Originally we thought we'd spend just two nights here, but strong East winds have kept us here another day.  As we listen to the cruiser's net each morning we realize there is quite a community here. Lots of boats, some with lots of character...

Top is the world;s smallest dinghy, bottom is one with a lot of character
and middle is typical harbor.

Here's the harbor, day and night

Brunelle - one of many, but special to us.

Early departure tomorrow, so early to bed.  ~~~_/)~~~M&D

Where did March go??

I hope I remember how to do this!!  Too long away from it.  After Sam, Jess and the boys left we had a few more trips out to Picnic Island and the north side of Sanibel Island with Linda and Bill on Rampage.  John and Brandi joined us and Brandi brought her new toy, a SUP (Stand Up Paddleboard).  We played with all our little boats while anchored in Sanibel Bight while John hung out aboard Brunelle and worked!

Brandi and I followed Bill and Linda through the mangroves of Sanibel Bayou in J.N. "Ding" Darling National Wildlife Refuge.  We were surprised by a pair of dolphins who surfaced right next to us.  Dan and Dory came to take pictures
as we came out of the Bayou and Dory was so excited to see all of us she jumped right in the water!

We continued to play the next day at Picnic Island.

That was the weekend of Daylight Savings, so when we returned to our spot at Snook Bight, morning light came an hour later and Dan caught sunrise over the mangroves from our cockpit.

We had been having a bit of trouble with our outboard motor and started wondering if it was time to switch to a 4 stroke inspite of the added weight.  We did a bit of research and were leaning toward a Tohatsu when we learned that the Mercury 9.9 was only 4 pounds more than the Tohatsu and 8 more than the old Johnson 15 AND Bass Pro Shops was selling them for $500 off retail!  You know I love a deal, so we went for it.  What a dream motor, hardly hear it at all.  We had fun breaking it in running around in the mangroves and islands across from the marina. 

 Scenes from the "outback"

Time for Julie, Michael and the girls to arrive:

They arrived at 9:15am but couldn't go to their condo on Sanibel until after 4 pm, so we went to our marina and swam in the pool and played at our beach while Julie and Michael did their grocery shopping in "our" Publix.

Lots of swimming - - - even tho the weather wasn't the best for their week.

Alice                                             Grace                                              Clare

We had Alice and Grace each spend a night with us and decided it would be almost as quick to deliver Alice back by boat rather than face the HORRENDOUS traffic between the marina and the mainland and then over to Sanibel.  Once again, the weather wasn't great, so we sailed over and only spent a few hours before heading back to Snook Bight Marina,

No motorized vessels are allowed on the beach, so we anchored the dinghy out and walked in.  It was cold and windy, so the beach was virtually deserted.

Wind howling and rain pelting down didn't hamper their departure on Saturday morning.  They drove off on their 20 hour trip in our van with our dog!  All arrived safely Sunday about 9 pm.  We miss them all.

Dory knew something was up!

Well, we are sitting here in Marathon and it's late, so I'll continue the tale next time!  ~~~_/)~~~M&D