Back in the Keys - Sarasota to Boot Key Harbor

We really should spend time writing here more often.  Too much time goes by and we forget the details - maybe that is good - then you only get the highlights!

As we left St Pete on Monday February 27th, we enjoyed two peaceful nights at anchor, one in the Manatee River (think we mentioned this earlier) and another in the Sarasota Bay.  Such a delight!  We then headed back to Marina Jack's in Sarasota for another enjoyable week.  This time, they put us on the South dock amidst the giant and shiny new motor yachts.  Most had no one on board, but there were a few that parked their cars near the docks - two Rolls Royces, a McLaren and a Bentley.  Yeesh!  We tried to do our part.

We reconnected with our new friend Judith, from our stay in Sarasota on the way north a month ago, and enjoyed an evening of jazz at Burns Court Wine Bar.  Tommy, the 92 year old keyboard player, his bass and sax players entertained us with great jazz while enjoying good wine and a light dinner.  We bicycled all over Sarasota, Lido Key and Siesta Key, crossing the waterway bridges several times and enjoying the views of the Gulf.  Our new bikes rock!  We got lucky to connect with old friends Barbie and Paul who were vacationing on Anna Maria Island (up at the north end of Sarasota's barrier islands).  They joined us for a lovely lunch where we were able to catch up on each others lives.  On Saturday we took advantage of yet another spectacular Farmer's Market. We've come to look for these in each city and town we visit.  Florida's growing season is all year along.  So, Farmer's Markets happen all year, unlike our September and October Fall Harvest Season in New England.
So cool!

(Click on any photo to enlarge)

The Paella Guy!

After Sarasota, we had a delightful motorsail to Cayo Costa - an island just south of Boca Grande passage that is only accessible by boat.  It is a beautiful, protected anchorage and the weather remained spectacular.  We walked the width of the island to the Gulf and down the beach to find tremendous shells.  Unfortunately, we didn't have the camera with us, but there were so many shells that the beach itself was made of them. Sand was intertwined, but shells dominated the shore. Amazing.  Sharon wanted to take a truck load, but alas, had to control herself.  We did gather some lovelies that will be put to good use.

Greg enjoying the hammock

Scenes from the waterway -

The House we wish we could live in!

From Cayo Costa, we took the waterway south, entered the Gulf just off Fort Myers and motor sailed to Naples.  Naples has a three-mile long entry channel that we hit on a Saturday afternoon.  The motor boats whizzed past us as we made our way past the lavish and grand homes lining the shore.  Naples has amazing wealth concentrated within its downtown area.  Home after home, valued at three million and up delight and amaze.  Once again, we added good mileage to the bicycles and poked around all the neighborhoods.  We enjoyed wonderful meals at Bleu Provence, The French, Sea Salt and The Cafe'.

The highlight was Andra's visit for a weekend.  We had a great time exploring together.

Andra was looking for a new hat - whaddya think? (Ha)

And lest you think we never cook on board, last night we had fresh pan-fried grouper with bok choy, pan fried potatoes and onions.  The night before we had seared scallops with rice and broccoli slaw.  Last week we had baked honey-cilantro-lime salmon with rice.  Here is a photo of the seared sesame encrusted tuna with bok choy, water chestnuts and rice we had last week as well.  We do, in fact, know how to cook and enjoy doing so on board.

This was seared sesame encrusted tuna, bok choy,
water chestnuts and rice (Greg really likes rice)

While in St Pete and then again in Naples, we got lucky to be able to meander through a high end Art Festival.  The quality of art and artisan product was amazing.  The Naples outdoor art show was so large it took us two days to complete.  Too bad we have no walls on which to hang the art.  Saves us money.....but, we do have favorites!

Leaving Naples early on Monday, we motorsailed south and stopped again at the Little Shark River in the Everglades National Park.  This was another spectacular anchorage.  Quiet, remote (no cell coverage) and the stars were so plentiful and so bright that they reflected in the still water of the anchorage.  Amazing.  We wished we could stay for a couple days and explore the mangroves by dingy, but Greg has been so busy with work, that he couldn't live without connection for more than a day.  So, on we went to the Keys where we peacefully anchored, enjoying the setting sun, the breeze, the quiet evening and a cell tower across the water.  How fortunate are we!

The Gulf of Mexico

Our anchorage in the Little Shark River, Everglades -

We were so looking forward to more nights at anchor in the Keys.  However, the weather forecast was calling for high winds and storms.  So, rather than hope our anchorage was adequate, we looked for a more protected situation.  We were fortunate to grab a mooring in Boot Key Harbor for a few days.  This harbor is completely surrounded by land and has moorings for a lot of boats.  Tonight, Thursday, the skies opened up, lightning has been constant, and we are very happy we were able to get a spot in this 360 degree protected harbor.

If you look closely you can see another Island Packet 40 moored nearby. The couple aboard stopped by to say hi before the storm hit. By days' end we were surrounded by three Island Packets! 

The twinkling lights are masthead anchor lights of other sailboats. This is the only marina we've been in that asks everyone to light an anchor light at night. The normal prctice is to light one if anchored, not when on a mooring ball. 

We will spend the rest of the week in the Keys and then head north, when the wind clocks East and South, to Miami, where we plan to stay for the month of April.  Then, we begin our trek back north for the summer.

'Til next time -