We returned to Clearwater March 10 and spent the weekend doing small boat chores, shopping for provisions, and visiting with family.
I updated our charting software, registered our MMSI for AIS sending, assembled our new bridal/snubber, installed new wiper blades, and attached registration numbers to the dinghy. Of course the resident foul were still in abundance.
We also had professionals come give the whole boat a complete wax job and change the engine oil and filter (5 gallons !).
We layed over an extra day due to high winds and then decided to stay in the ICW (InterCoastal Waterway) when we headed south, since it was more protected from the waves in the Gulf.
We spent the first night in Sarasota and hung on a ball for a night at Marina Jacks. Close to town (X marks the spot), but too windy to dinghy in. We had a noisy nite with waves against the hull.
We continued boating in the ICW down past the Charlotte Harbor entrance to one of our favorite anchorages at Cayo Costa State Park. It is a bit shallow getting in over sand bars, but X marks the spot in Pelican Bay where we were very sheltered in 8 ft of water.
The osprey and pelicans were in abundance.
Near Ft. Myers we passed by a real "party house boat", (BTW, those are statues).
We made it to Ft. Myers on St. Patrick's Day and they seem to really get into it. Our marina was near downtown so we wandered over and as they say "when in Rome....".
The trip from Clearwater to Ft. Myers was about 150 miles and took us 3 days of cruising. Charly flew out Sat morning and we plan to continue boating on Sunday, Mar 19.
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