Smokehouse Bay

As we were getting ready for departure, Rolly Bowler stopped by for a chat - nice, older gentleman suggested we check out in Smokehouse Bay, a tucked away anchorage right off Capri’s pass at the end of a 1.8 NM channel going through Collier’s bay.  He was right, what a beautiful spot for a one night stop. While we were getting ready for departure after topping off the water tank, he was back with ice, and an air pump nozzle for our fender. Then another couple - SPYC members stopped by to say hi, they have their boat at MIYC for a month also offering to take us anywhere we should need to go.  Where were these nice folks yesterday after we walked to Publix and West Marine and Diane grew a blister the size of a nickel on the bottom of her right foot.  Upon arriving in Smokehouse Bay we went to say hello to “Desert Fox” a PDQ sister ship headed North.

Marco Island Yacht Club

It was a very pleasant surprise as I looked out the port and saw a familiar face – Rick and Colleen on their 38’ Gulfstar Sailboat – Anna Virginia getting ready for departure north back to St. Petersburg from wintering in Marathon.  A quick chat, hugs and they were off.  

Now it was time for us to get going on this beautiful, sunny and warm day. We traveled 13.54 NM in 2 hours along the back way through Dollar Bay, Rooker Bay, then a u-turn at Capri Pass and we found ourselves docked at Marco Island Yacht Club, it was time for lunch.  

After we checked in and heard that a West Marine and Publix were a half a mile down the road, off we went. We bought more groceries than anticipated and on the way back, Diane grew a nice blister under her foot. Ouch! A quiet evening on board after the customary shower and a great pork roast dinner ended this beautiful day at a top notch marina. 

Naples Yacht Club

We woke to cool temperatures, sunny skies and light winds, it was time to untie the lines and leave St. Charles Yacht Club.   We traveled 34.99 NM in the Gulf in 4.5 hours to arrive at Naples Yacht Club shortly after lunch. We had been here before when we brought Moonstruck home last May from Stuart, FL, but we had not ventured away from the Y.C. This time found us on the bikes riding down Third Street South, then east on Fifth Avenue South.  It was a first for both JP and I and we soon found ourselves parking the bikes and strolling along the shops.  Our purchases for the day were 2 Tervis 16 oz Glasses, Rosemary Oil, Mango Chutney and Caramel Sea Salt Yogurt.  

Another major decision was made to eat dinner out as the next week restaurant selection will be at a minimum.  We returned to MS, sipped some spirits, showered and biked to the Blue Provence.  It is owned by a husband and wife team Jacques and Lysielle Cariot from France, Jacques runs the front of the house operations and the restaurant’s 20,000-bottle wine cellar while Lysielle runs the kitchen.  The Duck and the short ribs were very good and we checked it as a "will go back".  

Tomorrow we plan to head south to Goodland, but will first stop at Marco Island Yacht Club.

St. Charles Yacht Club

We decided to anchor at Ding Darling, recommended by our friends Nina and Rod Glover of Thistle and then move to St. Charles Yacht Club on Monday morning. The weather man said the rain would arrive Monday afternoon – he was wrong.  After tying up at our favorite spot in front of the clubhouse at St. Charles and listening to the upcoming weather we decided we would stay the week and get some much needed work done on MS.  

We were docked at Snell Isle Marina where a 9 story Condo called Water Club is being built –and collected a lot of DIRT. MS needed a good cleaning including fenders, life lines, life jackets, seat cushions, dingy, dingy cover, seven outside lockers and the deck, we also replaced the joker valve on the head, new water filter in the galley and installed an aft deck light. Oooof ! Glad it's all done.

Mike the dock master loaned us his car and we found West Marine, organic grocery store Ada’s, Target and of course Publix.  As we worked our way through the day, cooking dinner was not high on our list, Wednesday we decided to dine at the club, on our way to the showers we met and chatted with Mike and Paige Caldwell, owners of sister ship  PDQ 34 - Golden -.  

Thursday evening found us at the club participating in the Coast Guard Foundation honoring Brosius and Dede D’Arcy.  Brosius is a former stockbroker with Merrill Lynch in Chicago, moved to Ft. Myers in 1991 and became involved in boating.  His involvement with the Coast Guard began after he heard of a crew make a night rescue in the Gulf of Mexico and has been raising money for them ever since.  Friday arrived, Moonstruck was clean top to bottom, more projects were checked off the list, another run to West Marine and it was time for dinner and there we were sitting in the club having a delicious prime rib dinner, maybe it is time to start cooking again?  Saturday we woke to rain, wind, more rain, lightening and thunder.  It was a Lazy Lizard day, we read, planned and relaxed.  Sunday we got ready for Monday’s departure – stuff had to be put back in its proper place.  Time to get back on the water.

Pelican Bay

A favorite stop on the way south is anchoring in Pelican Bay on the inside of Cayo Costa and it did not disappoint. A couple nights at anchor is the perfect way to relax in this scenic well protected bay. Exploring Cayo Costa gives the opportunity for a walk on the white sandy beach of the Gulf. 

Watching the Manattees play in the lagoon

Venice and seeing friends

Our first night found us anchored on Sarasota Bay near downtown. After a bumpy night it was time to pull up anchor and head to Venice Yacht Club.  To our surprise we were greeted by Nina Glover, she and Rod were a couple slips over on Thistle and later we got together for nibbles, sips and lots of cruising conversation.  Our first stop was the fuel dock, then we continued south and met up with Thistle and dropped anchor in Pelican Pass, it was nap time.

Starting our new adventure

After lot's of anticipation, long time planning and hours months of preparation.
After selling a house and buying a condo (actually two), searching and finding our perfect boat, and selling our car.
After massive purging, a garage sale, many Craig's list and e-bay transactions and donations to charities,
After trip planning, boat preparations, systems checks and maintenance, spare lists and necessities list, provisioning and storing,
Moonstruck and her crew are finally ready to untie the dock lines and start on our new adventure.