Traveling With PRIORITIES

Tuesday Dec. 24

28 miles 0730-1100

Pelican Bay, Cayo Costa Island to Cape Harbor marina, Cape Coral, FL

We left our anchorage in Pelican Bay to a very strong NE wind. We traveled most of the day with a foot chop in the ICW. This section took us between Captiva Island to the west and Pine Island to the east. Once we got closer to Cape Coral the land cut most of the wind. Out side the Cape Harbor marina (where we left the boat and visited with some friends for Christmas in Cape Coral), is an 80’ lock. This lock is used to keep the salt water from getting into the canal system on the other side of the lock. It does not raise or lower your boat. Our friends Ken & Libby picked us up and took us to their house to spend Christmas.

Homes on stilts near Pine Island.

Captiva Island.

St. James City, Pine Island.

Along the ICW.

You can rent this island and have a party on it.

This boat anchors and sells bait to passing fisherman.

Crab pot fisherman.

Chiquita Lock.

Wednesday Dec. 25 Merry Christmas

0 miles

Christmas morning we went with Ken & Libby to there daughter, (Michelle) son-in-law, (Wayne) and grandkids, (Rachel & Emma) house for presents and then eating brunch. Wayne has a banana tree in the yard that has been producing several bunches of bananas. We tried some and they are very good. A little smaller and sweeter tasting then what you buy in the store. Later that day we got together again for dinner and some music from Ken and Wayne. A palm tree Christmas is not too bad. (We didn’t miss the snow at all!)

Libby, Ken, Randy, & Sherri

Ken & Wayne

Thursday Dec. 26

45 miles 0845-1500

Cape Coral to Smokehouse Bay, Marco Island, FL

After leaving the marina we had a short ride to Sanibel Island and then open water. The ICW that we have been able to travel on ended so the rest of our cruising to the Keys will be out in the Gulf. It seemed strange to be back out in the open water to cruise. Cruising by Sanibel brought back many great memories of winter vacations coming down to spent time with my parents and staying on the island with them.

Today the Gulf was beautiful. We had an 8 knot wind out of the NE which gave us about a 1 foot wave. The first 30 miles of shoreline where dotted with high-rises. Next came the single homes and then just beach sand and plants. We got off the Gulf by Marco Island to anchor and we are back to the high-rises again.

Cape Harbor marina.