January 23, 2013, Port Sanibel Marina, Fort Myers, FL

Monday night we tossed and turned in the strong winds.  The winds were supposed to pick up even more by Tuesday afternoon so we decided to pull anchor and head for Fort Myers.  We got into Port Sanibel Marina with a prayer and a little bit of luck as the water in the channel into the marina was very skinny and we also had quite a bit of wind to contend with.  The boat is full of salt water and needs a good washing and I always have wash and or cleaning to do so we decided to spend 2 days here.

CO's comments:  The XO did a fine job of picking this marina; but, if your boat is over 40 feet and has more than a 3' draft you had better know what you are doing.  In some places the channel was 20 feet wide which with a wind leaves you no room to manover.  It was neat though manovering in amongst the Mangroves.  When we arrived I had to turn 180 degrees in the wind with only 60' of space to turn in.  I made it.  The XO told me I was bumping a red marker as I made my turn and she had to push us away.  When we first did the Loop in the 38' Sea Ray, I would never have thought of coming into a marina like this.  Boy, do things change.

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Enjoying the sun shine at anchorage by Cayo Costa Island on 1-21-2013

Channel coming into Port Sanibel Marina

We are at the end of the T Dock, very nice little marina

 

This is a very nice restaurant right next door to the marina, "The Lighthouse"

January 20 and 21, 2013, Anchorage by Cayo Costa Island, Mile 25

Sunday: We left anchorage and got through the Boca Grande Bridge by 10:30. We crossed Charlotte Harbor today and it was a beautiful day with smooth seas, just the way we like it. We dropped anchor at Pelican Bay by Cayo Costa Island, right next to the State Park. This is a huge anchorage with several boats here and room for many more. Got settled in and dropped the dinghy in the water and did some exploring.  We ran into our friends from Fandango who are also anchored here.

Monday:  Stayed a second day for no particular reason.

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CO's comments:  Yesterday was the 2nd time we were at Cape Haze anchorage.  It is very well protected and if you want, you can dinghy a short distance over to Publix.  I think if we went to New Orleans tomorrow, the day after Bruce would show up!  It is always good to see a smiling face.

Kim Jo IV at anchorage on 1-20-2013, Pelican Bay by Cayo Costa Island

Some of the boats at anchorage on 1-20-2013

Sun Set on 1-20-2013