Well, I started it on Valentine's Day.
I will start where I left off on my last posting.
I love the fact that I had to think about the date and I don't have dementia. I don't take it for granted.
We have done so much since my last posting on January 26 that it boggles my mind. I want to fill you in I hope I don't leave anything out because it has been nothing but fun.
From Ft. Myers we headed to Venice to meet with friends that we met in Ft. Myers last year, Wally and Darcy from Maine, small world. It was the Fisherman's Wharf marina that we stayed two nights. We had dinner with two of their friends also from Maine.
We stayed an extra day in Venice but I can't remember why. I did walk through the art festival that was going on while Rob continued to recoup at the boat.
On the way to Venice we made a stop at one of my favorite places, Pelican Bay anchorage at Cayo Costa. We walked the beach of course and I gathered more shells. If Cayo Costa was not a state park and I had the money I would live there in the winter but the fact that it is a state park is one of the reasons that it is one of my favorite spots. People on the beach stop to talk and expands my world. I won't question my fortune of my world, but enjoy it.
Here is a fish we found on the beach with the most interesting pattern.
After Cayo Costa we went to Boca Grande where we had to tie our stern to the mangroves after anchoring the bow, this is called the Mediterranean anchoring. We had never done this before and it was very easy. We were in a very narrow channel and there wasn't any wind, which is generally not the case when doing the Mediterranean anchoring. Usually the channel is wide and the wind is strong needing the boat to stay in place and not swing into others.
It was hard to determine if there was a dinghy dock so we could explore the town and eat at the Pink Elephant. We tied the dinghy to a finger dock and went ashore to ask someone if we could keep our dinghy there and the Pink Elephant obliged. We put our name on the waiting list to eat outside and while we were doing that we met two other couples also waiting for a table we were asked to join them, so we did. One never knows the fun to be had.
From Boca Grande we went on our way to Englewood Beach. We anchored in Lemon Bay and enjoyed every bit of our time there except when we had to beach the dinghy in the wind, which can be a very wet experience. One that I will leave to your imagination.
We left our dinghy on the shore and walked to Stump Pass State Park. On the other side of the park is the Gulf of Mexico and another chance to walk the beach. We ate sandwiches on there and enjoyed the sun. I looked for shells and of course, even though I rolled my pant legs up, I enjoyed playing in the waves and still getting wet.
After this we headed to Venice and back to Englewood. I called on my friends that I graduated high school with and met them for a nice ride around their town. They are spending the winter in
Englewood, phew a good thing because Maine is buried in snow. I think it was 43 years since we had seen one another. I can't believe I am old enough to say I have not done something 43 years ago.
We walked a different beach this time with our friends who were generous in taking us to another Blind Pass State Park in Englewood. The beach was perfect for finding sharks teeth I am thrilled with my stash.
From Englewood we headed back to Ft. Myers for our month stay but not before dropping anchor in Pelican Bay to visit the Cayo Costa State Park. Can you tell that we really like this anchorage. It was a windy day so we wore our yellow slickers to walk on the beach. But this time I was prepared to find a jackpot of sharks teeth with my knew shark tooth tool, yup I found one shark tooth guess I will have to wait until I return to Englewood and also the beach in Venice.
The sky of Cayo Costa
Dolphins playing in our boat wake, Manasota Key
Ta Da, Fort Myers Yacht Basin. A month is giving us time with friends and enjoying the Edison Birthday Celebration. The celebration ends on February 19th with an antique car show but the highlight is the Edison Parade of Lights. We are planning to bring our chairs to the dock right in front of the parade route. Check out the fun that we have had this month, cocktail hours, eating out and just plain having fun.
Making memories with people that we didn't know before February.
The laid back hosts of many a cocktail hour or just plain visits, this is Jack.
Far left is Patty the other half of the hosts.
Sharon in the middle has sold her boat and will start a life living in an RV for a while and spending time with family. This is the life of boaters that don't have a land house and most of them don't.
Friend for one year to the day, none of us look or feels as old as we are. This is Wally
The other half of the new friends that we met last year in Ft. Myers and have stayed in touch with thought out the year, this is Darcy.
Darcy does not drink the whiskey she is hiding under cap but she does tell many stories of adventures past. Darcy and Wally are Gold Loopers having finished the loop just a few days before.
Docktails before the Super Bowl, again hosted by Jack and Patty. Everyone brought food to share.
Just one of the many places that we had lunch out.
Who takes pictures of a bathroom. Raise your hand Tricia
This Jack Russel has many years behind him if you know Jack Russels you will know that he has had years to mellow out. Harry, I believe is his name, has spent hours on the back of this motorcycle including traveling to Presque Isle, Maine.
Seeing dogs on motorcycles is just one of the many interesting things we see on the main street of Ft. Myers.
Everywhere you look there are these rusty art pieces, no not the two people on each side.
Selfie
I try to walk everyday and I never know what I will see.
Mrs. Edison's Garden with vendor's sell prized plant.
Pitcher plant
Hubby standing with an orchid that grows on trees
Walking buddy, Edison's Estate is about a 2.50 mile walk from the marina.
Orchid from the same family as the northern lady slipper
Children's parade, now can you see why I haven't finished my curtain for the companion way (large screened window in our bedroom) or written my blog!
Here are three pictures from the Mutt Strutt. I hesitated putting these pictures in my blog because this isn't about the dogs it seems to be about the owners but isn't that what having a pet is all about, just plain enjoying them no matter what we do with the darlings? I felt bad for the dogs who were dressed up silly but they didn't seem to mind.
The best strawberry lemonade yum!
I have no idea why there is the brewery advertising at Mrs. Edison's garden sale.
The average day for us is lounging around with our coffee until we or someone else decides there is a walk to take, a place to eat, places to go or visiting to do. None of us make plans until the mood strikes to do something. We walk the dock to see who would like to do it too. We usually find Jack or Patty, Wally or Darcy or both want to do a walk, a visit or any number of things there are to do in town.
There is a farmer's market every Thursday, music most nights outdoor, art or craft shows day or night several times during the month, the list is endless.
My blog is not complete unless I mentioning another friend from my hometown visited during the Art Fest, the joys just keep coming.
Last night we had dinner at a fine Italian restaurant.
Darcy and Wally
Jack and Patty
Me and him
Sharon and King
Our friends have a car and they take us lots of places. This day we visited Pine Island with a stop at a really fun restaurant and a day of sightseeing with good friends.
Another fine trip with our friends, I just find it so much fun to see what I don't see in Maine.
This is why we live on a boat for 6 month of winter, see the difference in the excitement on their faces? This is our driveway at home.
Okay, it is time to go and make more memories.
