Heading South until I can wear shorts again!

 Monday, Feb 2:

We all got up to a chilly morning (in the 30's), but it was nice and comfy in the boat as we ran the generator all night.  The wind finally laid down some and the sun was shining, so it didn't feel quite as cold.  I started working, Wes did some computer work, Papa did some Sudoku puzzles and Tutu was on her table and phone playing games.  John and Jackie from TN came around 1500.  I kept working while they all visited for a bit.  Then when I was done working, I joined them.  We enjoyed some beverages, then dinner, then some more visiting.  Wes took them back via dinghy around 1900, then we watched some TV while Wes made his sweet tea, then off to bed.

 

Tuesday, Feb 3:

We needed to get going early to catch the falling tide, so Wes jumped onto his bible study at 0700 for the social part, I started working for a little bit.  I joined by bible study for a short time as well.  Then Wes took went to drop some trash and take John and Terri's dinghy to Merle's so they can get back to their boat when they return later today.  I secured everything and got it ready for travel.  We pulled the hook around 0730.  We bumped bottom a few times, but we made it out and started heading to Naples.  We arrived in Naples around 1330.  Mick was able to secure us a slip at a yacht club.  He was there to catch our lines and help get us secured.  Glen and Jean were there waiting for us.  Once I finished work, we had a nice visit with Glen, Jean and Mick.  Then we went in for dinner, some cards and then bed.

 

Wednesday, Feb 4:

We were up and moving around 0600 to get everything ready to move again.  We dropped the lines around 0700 and started heading south towards the Everglades.  It was a beautiful sunrise and we saw some dolphins on our way out.  We had a smooth ride and the gulf was beautiful.  It kept warming up as the day went on.  We got to the Everglades to the Rod & Gun Club around 1345 and got tied up and hooked up.  Wes went up to pay for the night while I continued working.  Papa and Tutu hung out on the aft deck.  Tutu was even in short sleeves while the rest of us were in shorts and T-shirts.  We decided to splurge and tried go to the Rod & Gun Club for dinner, but they closed early.  So, we had dinner aboard, played some cards, then all went to bed.

 

Thursday, Feb 5:

We got up and I started working.  Wes made breakfast for us all, then we dropped the lines around 1040 and headed to another marina.  It was a short trip and we got tied up and secured in our slip around 1115.  It was windy and rainy so the boys went and checked us in.  Then everyone hung out inside while I was on the flybridge working.  After I was done working, we walked up to the club house for a couple of beverages.  Then back to the boat for dinner, some cards, then bed. 

 

Friday, Feb 6:

We got up and it was still windy and a little chilly.  I worked from downstairs.  We gathered all our laundry and went up and got it all done (including the bedding since laundry was free).  We got all the laundry done and put away.  Wes got computer work done and burgees mailed out.  Once I was done with work we all loaded up in the gulf cart and headed to Everglades City Airboat Tours.  It was a fun ride through the mangroves!  Then we went to a fish market to get a grouper filet for Wes for when we have tuna steaks.  Then back to the boat for dinner, played some hand and foot (not all three beers were mine), then off the bed.

 

 Saturday, Feb 7:

We got up and relaxed a bit.  Papa went for a walk and took the trash up.  Wes and I made a quick run to the grocery store before he returned the golf cart.  When he was returning the golf cart, he found out they were serving breakfast burritos for free, so the rest of us walked up to the club house / Tiki bar and enjoyed some breakfast burritos.  Then we went back to the boat and relaxed on the aft deck and soaked up some sun!  Hooty Hoo came in via dinghy and stopped for a quick visit.  Wes filled the water tanks, then around 1600 we dropped the lines and headed out to anchor for the night.  We had leftovers for dinner, then Hooty Hoo came over for a visit.  We enjoyed some mini beers (Wayne and Lori hadn't had one yet).  After they left, we watched a little TV, then off to bed.

 

Sunday, Feb 8:

We got up and were ready to pull anchor around 0730.  It was a sunny day but the wind made if feel chilly.  We headed toward Little Shark River where we were anchoring for the night.  It was a nice ride.  I little lumpy so Wes put up the sail and it helped a lot.  I sat on my "perk" on the bow most of the ride. We saw some dolphins as we approached Little Shark River.  We arrived to Little Shark River around 1300 and dropped the hook and got secured.  Wes and Papa went exploring on the dinghy, while Tutu and I relaxed on the aft deck enjoying the sunshine.  They saw a small gator, but he was too fast to get a picture.  When the boys got back, we all relaxed a bit on the aft deck, then we grilled out steaks for dinner, played some cards, watched a little TV then off to bed.