Monday, Dec 22:
We weren't in a rush when we got up as we needed the tide to rise some before we could leave. I finished my 1000 call then I walked up to the house where Wes was visiting with Mike and Des. We said our goodbyes, then went back to Toscana to untie and head south. We dropped the lines around 1045. As it turns out, the water was still too low. Wes had to work to get us out. We kept getting stuck in the sand. He was patient and kept working at it and was able to get us loose and on our way. The weather was beautiful. We made our way down the ICW. There was a decent amount of boat traffic and we had several bridges we needed to have lifted (or swung) so we could pass. It was neat to see all the houses and seeing all the shallow parts given the tide was still rising. We made it to the Crow's Nest around XX. We got tied up and checked in. Then I gathered all our laundry and my shower stuff and went up and did our laundry and showered in between loads. Once I was done, we went over to Gvit a Go and had a beverage. They Scott, Joan, Wes and I went up to the Crow's Nest for dinner. It was delicious. Then we went back to Gvit a Go and Gooder Days joined us and the 6 of us enjoyed a nightcap. It was about 2230 when we left and we went right to bed.
We got up and I did some work. Wes did some computer work. Then we dropped the dinghy to head to Cabbage Key for lunch. Wes, Scott and Joan all had a cheeseburger "in paradise" while I had a rueben instead. After lunch we walked up the water tower, walked the trails and explored. We saw the tortoises, lots of plants and the shell tree. Then we got in our dinghies and did some exploring. We went into the "tunnel of love" but it was blocked partway through, so we had to turn around and go back. We explored some more and found a little cove near the state park where we saw manatees. The sun was hitting the water just right that it was hard to see them underwater. You could basically only see their noses when they came up to take a breath. It was still amazing to see them!! Then we went back to Toscana, loaded up a cooler and snacks and went over to Gvit a Go for anchortales. We watched the sunset, then went on their aft enclosed deck and visited some more. Then we went back to Toscana for dinner, a little TV, then bed.
We got up and started gathering all the items we wanted to take with us to the beach. We figured what better way to enjoy Christmas but at the beach. Wes started smoking the ribs (our Christmas dinner). Then we packed food, beverages, chairs, our umbrella and table into the dinghy then headed over to the beach around 1000. We got everything unloaded and then Scott and Joan arrived and we helped them unload as well. We set up our little beach area. We were on the smaller beach option, which was great as we basically had the place to ourselves. The larger beach had between 10-15 boats on it throughout the day. I was amazed how many people were in Pelican Bay on Christmas! A couple other loopers also came into the bay (Mach Turtle and Cavok). They each stopped by and visited for a little bit, but didn't stay too long. Wes went back to the boat to check on the ribs, then did another trip back with Scott, as Scott wanted a cup of coffee and a shower. Joan and I stayed at the beach and enjoyed the sun. The boys came back and shortly thereafter, we packed up the dinghies and went back to our boats. We rinsed everything off, I jumped in the shower, then we setup the aft deck for dinner. Scott and Joan came over with some potatoes and onions and some butternut squash soup to go with the ribs. It was a delicious Christmas dinner on our aft deck while the sun went down. We had a nightcap and then Scott and Joan went back to Gvit a Go and we watched a little TV before bed. While I missed my family, it was a great Christmas Day.
Wes got up while I was lazy and relaxed in bed a bit. I got up around 0700 and Wes was doing the dishes and cleaning up from dinner the night before. I did some work. Then around lunchtime, we got in our dinghy (as did Gvit a Go) and we went back to the little bay to see if the manatees were there again. They were and they swam right up to our boats. It was really neat to see!! Then we went over to the state park and walked a couple of the trails, put our feet in the Gulf of America and walked along the beach some. Then back to our dinghies, where we visited with Cavok then back to the boat to relax a bit before enjoying anchortales and dinner with Gvit a Go. Another great day at anchor!!
We initially were going to take off, but we heard from Our Journey and they said that they were arriving that day around Noon, so we decided to stay so we could see them. Wes did some computer work while I got some sun in the morning. Our Journey arrived (Wes dropped our dinghy and guided them is as they were coming in at low tide. Gvit a Go took off toward Fort Meyers. Once Our Journey got settled and had some lunch, we jumped in our dinghies and we showed them the manatees. Once again they did not disappoint and it never gets old!! We even saw an alligator! Then we went over to our little beach. There were others there this time, but we stopped and enjoyed a couple of beverages. Then we got in our dinghies and headed over to where Ramble On was anchored just outside Cabbage Key waiting for them to have their slip ready. We visited with them for a bit until it was time for them to go in. We went into Cabbage Key with our dinghies and beached them, then waited until they had their spot for Ramble On. It was a mad house in there!! Another boat hit Ramble On and did a little damage to their rub rail. It could have been so much worse! Once they got secured, we walked up to the restaurant/bar and grabbed a patio table. Wes, Wayne and Karen order drinks, while I ordered a seltzer. Diana and Mark each ordered a drink as well once they joined us. We had a nice visit and listened to some live music. The bill was quite pricey for just 6 drinks, so we both grabbed our coolers and went to have another drink on Ramble On. It was getting dark, so we got in our dinghies and headed back to our boats. I started my prep for dinner (Karen was putting her salad together). Wayne and Karen joined us for dinner on the aft deck. We did a shot for dessert, visited some more, then they went back to their boat. We watched a little TV, then went to bed.
We both got up around 0700 to see that we were under a dense fog advisory and it was getting thicker by the minute, so we just relaxed a bit and waited for the fog to lift. We pulled the anchor around 0930 and made our way out to the ICW heading to Fort Meyers. The "miserable mile" lasted from Cabbage Key until we went under the 3 highway bridges on the Caloosahatchee River. There were so many boats and several BIG boats through the narrow channel and NO ONE slowed down. It was a lumpy ride at times, but otherwise the weather was nice! We had some dolphins "play" with us a bit. I always love seeing them! We got to the private dock around 1600 and got secured. The renters in the house of our friend weren't home, so we settled in. We had dinner, then Wes noticed a light on and went and introduced himself. We had a quiet night watching TV and relaxing before bed.
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