Marathon - Day 138, 39, 40

Diann on old 7-mile pedestrian bridge (Abandoned original bridge)





Tom (cell phone in hand) on 7-mile pedestrian bridge






Noah Genda at Marathon's "Harbor Cay Club" - Great facility, great people







Tom, Diann & good looper friend Alex Shue at Keys Music Festival









Music Festival at Marathon






Dinghy Dock at Marathon Munincipal Marina









Tom at Tranquility Resort, next door to our marina






The famous "Faro Blanco" light at the closed and abandoned Faro Blanco Resort








Diann at TJ's Tiki Bar at Tranquility Resort, next door to our marina







Let’s see, what day is this? Thursday we did our usual investigation of the area on bicycles. First we found lunch at TJ’s Tiki Bar which is on the beach looking out at the Gulf of Mexico. This is worth a repeat in my book! The Tiki Bar is located at Tranquility Resort which looks like a very top notch place to stay. As we were leaving the resort, a family was unloading luggage from a van but we overheard them say they had arrived by their private plane.

As we rode along Tom stopped at a barber shop but there were 3 people before him so we continued on and he soon found another one. By the time he left he and the barber, Hugh (fellow boater) were best of friends. He gave Tom information on an outdoor music concert and his opinion of the better restaurants. Good information.
We checked out many harbors, among them was the Marathon City Marina where there are hundreds of mooring balls. It is located next to a municipal park and sports complex, public library, hospital, and restaurants. They have a nice setup for boaters but first you have to leave your boat and come to shore by dinghy. Hopefully you have a way to distinguish your dinghy from the hundreds of others tied to the dock as you can see from the pictures. There is a long row of individual showers, a lounge area with WIFI and shelves full of informational books, plus free weekly pump outs. (Very important!) Their slogan is “Where Mooring is a Ball”. Cute huh?

Friday we rode bikes on the old seven mile bridge. We are glad we didn’t go all the way to the end because when we turned around we were facing a stiff wind. We stopped at Chappy’s restaurant for lunch. Nice atmosphere but the food was just okay. We hung out on the boat in the afternoon and then met Adagio and Shingebiss for dinner at "Lazydays" restaurant in the Marathon Harbor. Another “to go” box for the refrigerator.

Day 140 Sat Marathon
We are finally sleeping in a little later 7-7:30 (late for us). We had breakfast on board and then started out together on our bikes but soon we separate ways. I stopped at a couple of open air markets; one fruits & vegetables and one flowers and plants. I also found a couple of stores I hadn’t seen before so to help the economy, I made a couple of purchases. I know Tom went to Home Depot and Publix for us but not sure where else.

We met back at Noah Genda; cleaned up a take home box; got back on our bikes and headed Sombrero Resort & Marina for an afternoon listening to The Keys Music Festival. We had a great line up of Daryl Davis a blues and boogie-woogie piano player; Hot Guitar Pickers, Springfield Exit and the famous BeauSoleil Trio Cajun band. It truly was an absolutely great afternoon of professional live entertainment under a tent with a warm southerly breeze. At this event, while locking up our bicycles we had the pleasure of running into our looper friends Alex & Cindy Shue off Tug Hill Tug. We sat together enjoying these great artists. What a fun time we are enjoying here in Marathon.

Marathon FL, Day 137

Looking south off our aft deck in the Marina






From our boat looking north into Gulf of Mexico





In our assigned slip looking north into Gulf of Mexico








At Little Shark River we listened to strange sounds coming from the anchor which we attributed to the fact that when the tide goes in and out it turns us around causing our anchor chain to be in a pile and rubbing. There was other sound we couldn’t identify which was a tapping on the boat which we thought must be bugs and I expected the boat to be covered in the morning but we didn’t see a one. Spooky evening in the everglades.

In the morning we made coffee, took a thermos to the bridge and headed out at 8:00 AM into calm seas for the 45 mile trip to Marathon. We had a smooth ride for, oh maybe an hour or two but then we hit the crab pots and rough seas. Crab pots by the hundreds everywhere you looked. The morning sun directly in our line of vision increased the difficulty to spot the crappots. It was impossible to use the auto- pilot because as soon as you set it there would be another crab pot right in your path. The 2-3 foot trailing sea waves would cause a difficult to control maneuver as the vessel would surf in which ever direction the wave was headed which would generally be toward a crab pot. We were very fortunate we did not snag a crab pot. Arriving about noon, we were very happy to see our destination of Harbour Cay Club in Marathon FL. Several people where on the dock to greet us and help secure the boat (always a plus in my book!). Fellow Loopers Andrew and Sallyann off "Freedom" and Linda and Dave from "Perfect Timing" are right next to us. It is great to see them again.

Everyone here is very friendly and helpful. These aren’t condos as we thought but rather (24) dockominiums and one common club house owned and operated by the (24) shareholders. A very clean well maintained facility. Marathon is a very busy nautical community with many marinas and nautical support facilities. It is going to be a fun educational extended stay. There are hundreds of travelling vessels in Marathon either looping, world sailors or live aboards. This community also represents a jumping off point for vessels leaving the U.S. and heading to Caribbean & South American ports of call.

We had a sandwich on the back deck and then decided to look around the area and take a bike ride across the highway to Marathon Marina where our friends from Adagio and Shingebiss are staying. We made tentative plans to have dinner with them on Friday night. After a very busy day of travel, cleaning the saltwater off of the boat, a little local exploring and cocktail hour sunset at the on grounds tiki hut we decided to have a spaghetti dinner on board.

Little Shark River in the Everglades Day 136

Anchorage in Little Shark River -


Mangrove tree roots






Shore all around our anchorage

We woke this morning to light NE winds, clear skies from our anchorage at Goodland. Of course the first order of the day is hot coffee shared together at daybreak. We listened to the weather forecast on VHF and Tom reviewed our favorite online forecasters NOAA underground and Ikitesurfer. Since we will not have internet connection at Little Shark River we reviewed projections for 2-3 days out. Pulled anchor and were underway by 8:00 A.M. and out in the Gulf by 8:30. Weather was as predicted; NE winds 10-15 MPH with 1’-2’ seas. This was a nice comfortable ride to our anchorage at Little Shark River other than dodging quite a few crab pot floats. The dolphin sightings were also a treat of the day. We just never tire of observing the playful dolphins.

Noah Genda dropped anchor at 2:30 PM about a mile into the extremely beautiful Little Shark River. What a tranquil, quite, remote area of wilderness. There are numerous flocks of wilds bird hanging out in the mangrove trees looking for an easy pick of fresh fish. It is absolutely so quite that we thought we heard a boat approaching from behind us, however it wasn’t an outboard motor, it was the wind noise off the wings of a large flock of egrets about 20’ above the water line just off our starboard side. Simply awesome. Diann saw an alligator in the water, however we seemed to have spooked it away with the voice of the weather channel on the marine radio. We sat around the remaining daylight hours with binoculars and whispering to each other so we wouldn’t spook any more wildlife. The number of dolphins working the waterway for fish was an additional pleasure to view. They were swimming in groups of 5-6 dolphins working together to herd the fish in a tight circle and then close in. Pretty amazing. We had this anchorage to ourselves until about dusk. Four additional loopers dropped anchor before dark. However everyone is separated adequately to allow the solitude of the area.

About dusk we realized we did not have much to eat today while underway. Diann prepared the most delicious chicken fajitas’ that was just a perfect way to cap an absolutely beautiful day and evening. This is one spectacular anchorage. The moon is bright and the stars are incredibly beautiful. I think there is still some ice cream in the refrigerator for a little desert before the evening is over.
After dark Diann was out on the aft deck with the spotlight looking on shore for those red alligator eyes but no luck!

We listened to the NOAA weather forecast on VHF and it appears favorable for venturing on to Marathon tomorrow (Wed 1/27). We will double check in the morning.

Day 135, depart Marco, anchor Goodland

Sunrise before storm at Marco Island






Anchorage in 10,000 Islands near Goodland, FL






Monday night anchorage near Goodland, FL





Marco Island is 4 miles wide by 6 miles long and is home to 14,000 year around residents. During the months of January to March the Island population swells to over 30,000 vacationers and winter residents. A large number of the snow birds are from the Mid-Western states of IA, IL, MN, WS, OH, MO and also Canada. Actually we met quite a few friends from our home turf in several Cities located on the south western coast of Florida.

History informs us that probably around 4000 BC the Calusa Indians, who may have been the descendants of the Mayans, inhabited the island. Due to disease brought to the island by the Spanish explorers, the Calusa were wiped out by the mid 1700s, later replaced by the Seminole. Until after the Civil War, there was little population occupying southwest Florida.

In 1870, W.T. Collier brought his wife and nine children to Marco Island. His son, William D. “Captain Bill” Collier, opened a 20-room hotel in 1896 that is today known as Olde Marco Inn. In 1922 Barron G. Collier (no relation to the other Colliers) purchased most of the island. Unfortunately, the depression took its toll and development of the island was postponed until 1962. It was at this time, when brothers Elliott, Robert and Frank Jr. Mackell developed a master plan for the island, after purchasing it from the Collier estate for the paltry sum of seven million dollars. Not surprising, prior to its development in the mid-1960s, the population was a mere 550, as the only way to reach the island was by crossing a narrow, wooden, hand-operated swinging bridge.

Around 1938 new development plans were in works for nearby Caxambas, (Marco Island) so 20 families and their simple early-Florida homes, the local store and the post office were relocated to Goodland free of charge by the Mackell brothers. This migration swelled the population considerably, changing the face of the village, but not the Old Florida hospitality. About 200 people now call Goodland home.

Our plan was to leave Marco today but when we looked at the sky this morning we remembered the phrase: “Red sky in morning sailors warning”. Due to the rotation of the Earth from west to east, storm systems tend to travel eastward across a local region of the globe. A reddish sunrise caused by particles suspended in the air, often foreshadows an approaching storm which will be arriving from the west, within the day. Conversely, a reddish sunset often indicates that a storm system is on the east side (opposite the sunset), travelling away from the viewer. A similar movement is noted all around the world, in both the northern and southern hemisphere. You can see from the picture it was pretty red.

We had heavy showers and winds around 11:00 and then it seemed to clear up a little so we elected to venture out, winding though the Marco River ( often not clearly marked with navigational aids and shallow) to an anchorage seven miles and 1 ½ hours away. Tomorrow we hope to make it 60 miles to Little Shark River for another anchorage, weather permitting.

Day 134 Goodland, Fl

Owner -- Stan on Stage






Stan's in Goodland Fl






Lanum's and our Safeharbor nieghbors Klockau's








Glenn and Teresa Perkins







Today at Stan's





Today at Stans








Tom at Snook Inn






Diann at Snook Inn







Saturday we rode bicycles around the area investigating possible seasonal rental properties on the island for our future use. Next we navigated over the very popular “Snook Inn” for a beverage and appetizer. They have lots of docks so it is a popular place for boaters to enjoy. We enjoyed live music while dining outdoors along with a view of the waterfront activity. That was so exhausting we biked back to the boat for a nap before setting off to the Dolphin Tiki Bar located at the condos “Anglers Cove”. Dolphin Tiki Bar also enjoys waterfront open air dining with a great view of Factory Bay and the marina where “Noah Genda” is moored. I had excellent fish tacos and Tom had a no bun diet plate (hamburger patty smothered in onions and green peppers). We saw a sign posted for Sunday breakfast which perked my interest.

Tom here, Diann has asked me to finish this blog, so I will give it a shot. Today (Sun) we did in fact jump on our bikes and rode to Dolphin Tiki Bar for open air dockside breakfast. Breakfast was exceptionally good and the open air salt air environment was a great way to start the day. Our stay here at “The Marina at Factory Bay” has been an exceptionally pleasant stay. Not only a great experience visiting friends but this marina staff has extended tremendous hospitality. I would highly recommend this facility to any looper or snow bird traveling by water. Today, Curtis (Harbor Staff) assisted us with the dreaded head pump-out chore.

We were sorry our friends Pat and Terry from Naples couldn't make our meeting this week-end. I hope you feel better Pat.

Diann was most assertive that we find a way to venture to Stan's in Goodland FL Stan’s is located on the south end of Marco Island six miles away. Goodland is too far to walk, tough bicycle ride round trip, and the seas too rough for the dinghy. I was able converse with marina staff to find a vehicle to use. This truly was a unique experience. Stan projects a very patriotic celebration. Festivities do not start until all patrons are asked to stand for the playing of the National Anthem. Quite a cross section of personalities, lots of motorcycles, restored cars and partiers of all ages. While we were standing watching and listening to the live band, Diann heard her name called through the crowd. This voice was Teresa Perkins and her husband Glenn from Pleasant Harbor. Also with Teresa and Glenn were our Safe Harbor neighbors John & Judy Klockau. What a pleasant surprise. They arrived earlier in the day, secured a table and were about to leave Stan’s so they were gracious enough to offer us their table which we gladly accepted.

Also on the premise was a farmers market with fresh produce. Another lucky find. Since we had a vehicle, on our way back to the boat, we stopped at Publix, purchased a few provisions for our soon to be venture to Marathon. Tonight we again dined at "Gino’s Old Marco Trattoria" about a block from our marina. Kevin's Dad, Bill greeted us and we had a wonderful Chicken Oscar with asparagus and fresh crab. Service was excellent as well as the food.

The winds were very strong today and the weather projections appear to be too windy to venture on to Little Shark River tomorrow. Monday we will leave here for sure and do a shorter trip to anchor between Marco Island and Indian Key, wait for a calm weather window before setting sail for Little Shark River anchorage and on to Marathon. Safe or comfortable cruising days in the Gulf are so dependent on weather

Day 131, Marco Island

A brochure image of our stay at Marina at Factory Bay, Nice facility








Wow, the last blog update was Wednesday and today is Friday. Time gets away when you’re having fun.

Marco Island is situated at the northernmost point of the Ten Thousand Islands and just south of Naples. There are white sand beaches, luxurious real estate, sumptuous restaurants, fine shopping, lively entertainment as well as boating and fishing. I think I could get used to this, especially the restaurants!
Anyone traveling this way might be interested to know that "The Marina at Factory Bay” offers 2 nights free with a paid stay of 5 nights. They also offer free laundry (2 GE washers & 2 dryers) and free pump-out and the facilities are clean and new. You are close to many restaurants within walking distance but a grocery store would be a long walk or a bicycle ride.

After much run around, we took a city tour on Thursday. The run around began trying to locate a trolley tour bus pick up point and the correct scheduled time. Once we had that we showed up but the trolley didn’t. We called the published city operated tour phone number and were told the tour was cancelled for today. We unlocked the bikes and while we were headed back to Noah Genda when we saw the tour bus. We rode back to the pickup location, locked the bikes and Tom flagged the trolley down. He was doing the tour and had no idea why we had been given that information. For us it was a waste of time since Dan and Jan Parker gave us a much better tour by car yesterday to the same places and it was free!. Well it was free for us, but Dan & Jan endured a cost.

Later in the evening we rode bicycles to the Espanlande Area where there are several restaurants and music outside overlooking the rather large boats in the harbor. We had a very good outdoor dinner at CJ’s overlooking the beautiful harbor

Today, Friday after lunch at “Al’s Deli” (great food) although it was supposed to rain we were brave and launched the dinghy anyway. We motored our way to Esplanade Marina by boat and viewed the incredible homes along the way. We also ventured into Marco River Marina by inflatable and cruised some residential canals. The sky started to look threatening late afternoon, so we cruised back to the mother ship, secured the dinghy on the hardtop.The rain came when we were ready to head to dinner. It was pretty short so after it quit we walked to Gino’s Old Marco Trattoria” for an awesome pizza. Leave it to Tom to know someone. I’ll let him tell you the connection

Tom here, this restaurant is owned and operated by Kevin Knott’s niece Mary and her huband Zach. Kevin and I have worked together for the last 20 plus years. Kevin’s dad Bill also stops in often to lend a hand. We stopped in earlier, introduced ourselves to Bill Knott and tonight we had dinner. Additionally we had the pleasure of meeting Mary. Gino’s is a very popular establishment with great food, nice atmosphere and good service.

Day 130, Marco Island wiith Parkers

Jan & Dan Parker, us at "The New Little Bar" in Goodland, FL







Looking from the restaurant to the harbor at Goodland








Looking from the restaurant to the harbor at Goodland










Us at Marco Island beach








Farmers Market







Jan, Dan & Diann going to the "Farmers Market"






The weather is warming up nicely and today was as about as perfect as you can ask for. Today our friends Jan & Dan Parker drove down to the marina from their Marco Island home, and provided us with the most entertaining day we could ask for. Our first stop was at the local farmers market. An abundance of beautiful fresh vegetables. I couldn’t resist the fresh prepared guacamole & we were not disappointed. We lost track of Dan & Tom, and wouldn’t you know they found an old restored ’48 Buick 4-door sedan in the parking lot that drew them like magnets. What a couple of gear heads.

After the farmers market we toured the beautiful island of Marco by convertible. This Island is absolutely gorgeous, lots of history and Dan & Jan were our personal tour guides. Our next venture was to Goodland, FL for lunch at “The New Little Bar and Restaurant” What a neat waterfront dining establishment. The town is truly a laid back, back to nature and reminds you of old Florida. We drove back to Dan & Jan’s absolutely beautiful home for a guided tour. Dan, Jan, thank you for taking the time to offer us a spectacular afternoon. You are truly the most gracious host.

We rode bicycles to town before dark, made reservations at Arturo’s Italian Restaurant for later in the evening, rode to a shopping center and looked around. After dark we rode bikes back to Arturo’s for a very well prepared pasta dinner. Just another wonderful day here in paradise.

Day 129 Depart Moss Marine Ft Meyers Beach

One picture I didn’t get posted was the Big M Casino which was docked at the end of our pier at Moss Marine in Ft Myers Beach. For $10.00 you could cruise and have a buffet breakfast or dinner (the boat departs twice a day). The problem might be that you are a captive audience for 6 hours so of course you would probably come back with less money but hey you never know you could be lucky! I would try to read their faces as they left the boat to see if they were happy or sad.






The Osprey is a fairly large hawk which we saw in nests on many navigational signs while traveling to Marco. A bulky nest of sticks and trash is placed on the ground, on ledges, in trees or on poles. More building material is added to the nest each year it is in use. The nest resembles a Bald Eagle's nest, but is not usually as large. Incubation, usually 3 white, buff or pink eggs, by both parents takes about 35 days. Young fly between 8 and 10 weeks of age. The Osprey's diet consists almost exclusively of fish, but has been reported to include birds, turtles, snakes and small mammals. Unfortunately, Osprey have been persecuted by many fishermen who feared competition with these majestic birds. Hostile commercial fishermen have nailed fish to wooden boards and floated them in common Osprey areas, hoping to wipe out the bird's population. Such harassment is unwarranted because the Osprey eats mainly mullet and non-game fish of no commercial value. Eagles have also been known to harass Ospreys in flight, causing them to discard a recently captured fish. The eagle then pirates the fish and flies off.

Day 129 Jan 19 Quad City Friends

We're all having a great time at Top of the Mast which is level with the beach - go figure.



Connie & Phil Kassewitz






Denny & Marge Stierwalt




Connie, Marge, Diann, & Sue





Phil, Larry, Denny, Al, Jim & Tom on the patio at the cookout.

Breakfast on board Sunday morning, then a bike ride to the Topps grocery store for necessary provisions (wine, key lime pie and peanut butter). Well, I felt they were necessary! Later we rode to Times Square, locked the bikes and were people watching when the Hamptons and Kassewitz walked by. We all had lunch together at Seashore Grill right beside the pier and the water. Soon after Marge and Denny Stierwalt joined us for drinks. It was great to see everyone.

One of the reasons I picked Moss Marine was so I could walk the beach every day. After spending a month here I had yet to walk the beach but thanks to the groups thirst, I did walk the beach from one bar to another. Whew, I’m saved!

We returned to Noah Genda and the others returned to Phil & Connie’s condo and soon were back to pick us up for an evening at Al and Sue Fensterbusch’s home in Cape Coral. They have an oversized swimming pool and patio that has to be the envy of their neighbors. I hope you can see from the pictures what a wonderful evening of entertainment we had. After consuming a spread of appetizers and cocktails, Al grilled burgers for a delicious meal followed by Sue’s homemade pecan pie and the guests contribution, store bought key lime pie. Another surprise was seeing my friend Beth Frishman's brother visiting with Al and Sue.

Well finally, we are on the move again. Monday morning we woke up to clear skies and light wind. We prepared the boat for departure, heading to Marco Island. At least during the next 40 miles on the Gulf of Mexico we were in sight of land and it was daylight, however unfortunately, the predicted 3’ to 5’ sea swell was an accurate forecast. It was a less than desirable cruise with a beam sea creating large rolling swells that made you queasy if you didn’t watch the horizons. When we made it to Naples “Gordan Pass” we chose to venture inside for the last seven miles to Marco. We enjoyed a much smoother and more scenic ride to “The Marina at Factory Bay”. What a nice facility, floating docks, very clean, pleasant staff and reasonable rates.

Our good friends Doug and Diane Johnson drove down from Naples to join us for cocktails on board and dinner at Ne Ne’s, which was recommended by Kathy Quinn. We think we found an undiscovered secret.

I think we will stay a few days here in Marco. Tom’s good friend Todd McCormick, from Phoenix AZ, is in Naples on business and we are connecting today on ” Noah Genda”.

Day 126 Ft Neyers Hmapton & Kassewitz

Us at West Marine in Ft Myers Beach






Jim, me and Tom at Parrot Key for lunch







Jimmy Hampton, Lunch at Parrot Key






Tom & Jim Hampton







Our looper friend Steve Kemper off "Shingebiss"





Jim, Tom, Brenda, Connie and me at Matanza Inn









Me, Brenda, Connie & Jim







I am finding if I don’t write some notes daily, I forget what happened on what day. Thursday, Jim and Brenda Hampton who are visiting Phil & Connie Kassewitz They drove to our boat and we walked to Matanzas Inn for lunch. Jim’s mouth w.as watering for some peal and eat shrimp and then grouper sandwiches were the order of the day. The women tried a beer we had not heard of brewed in Pottsville, PA. “Yuengling”. It was so tasty, I had to go buy some for the boat. After lunch we drove to Connie and Phil’s beautiful condo at the south end of the Estero Blvd. They have an awesome view of the gulf from the 2nd floor. We spent the afternoon watching dolphins from her deck. We also got to see Sue and Al Fensterbusch since they happened to be at the condominium complex.

Thursday Tom and I had an excellent dinner at Gulf Shore Grill located on the waterfront in Ft Myers Beach overlooking a gorgeous sunset on the Gulf of Mexico. On the way back to the boat we passed Jimmy B’s beach bar and were drawn in to the live music playing “Nights in White Satin”. Tom was hooked. We enjoyed listening to great sounds of the 60’s and 70’s. Fun time. On our way to the boat we rode by the Kilwins Ice Cream Store for a late night snack. Full day of activity and memorable day with Connie Kassewitz, Brenda and Jim Hampton.

Friday is the scheduled Ft Myers Beach open air farmers market 3-blocks from the marina. Fresh fruit, veg, fresh fish, shrimp and fresh bread that was actually still warm. Loaded up and brought it back to the boat. Rode our bicycles to the North end of the Island and walked the Lee County nature park. Later we rode to the grocery store for re-provisions and prepared dinner on board. It is amazing how quickly the time has flown by since our arrival here at Ft Myers. Our current plans are departing here Monday 1/18, stopping at Marco Island for may 5-7 days. But again “Noah Genda”

Saturday Jim & Brenda Hampton stopped by the boat to visit with a car. Also what a pleasant surprise to have Al & Sue Fensterbusch stop by for a visit. So nice to see Al & Sue. Hope we can connect again before departing Ft Myers. Jim, Brenda, Tom & I went over to Parrot Key for lunch and on to Walgreens and finally a stop at West Marine where Jim and Diann did some power fashion shopping. Today was a fun afternoon with some very special friends.

Day 123 Ft Myers Beach - Quinns

Vic, Kathy, Emma & Diann at Parrot Key restaurant







Quinn's & Lanum's on Noah Genda






Vic, Emma, & Kathy Quinn








The date for our number of days out get off when we write the blog for one day but don’t post it until the next day. This is day 123 and things couldn’t be better.
Before Tom returned the rental car Monday morning, he went out of his way to find a store to buy me a new puzzle. It doesn’t take much to make me happy and this boaters lounge is so perfect with several large tables to assemble puzzles. All the boaters staying here at this marina stop in the lounge to assist on my puzzle since it is exceptionally difficult. I did put in the last piece this morning.

Yesterday morning our friends Cindy and Alex Shue off “Tug Hill Tug” came by dingy for coffee. Their boat is on a mooring ball here at Mantanza Pass and we have not seen them for a couple of months. Even though we read each other’s blogs, it was nice to have a face to face conversation to hear of their adventures and to share ours. Our friends Steve & Liz from “Shingebiss” who are also moored at Mantanza’s came by dingy to have lunch with us at Matanza's Inn. We had not seen them for some time either, so catching up on stories created lots of laughs. The Matanzas Inn manages the mooring ball reservations and extends the inn’s amenities to the boaters.

As you’ve heard on the news, 7 out of 11 nights have been below 30. Not good for all the Florida crops and tourism. On the brighter side for us, it is supposed to warm up by the end of the week and we have many more days to come.

Today we rode bikes for breakfast to "Gulf Grill", a great restaurant overlooking the beach and the Gulf of Mexico. It is still too cold to eat outside but, inside we had a window seat with a great view. After breakfast Tom and two other transient boaters went to Marine Salvage store in North Fort Myers. Tom came back with a couple of items for the dinghy.

Additionally today, we had the pleasure of Vic, Kathy and their daughter Emma Quinn stopping by Moss Marine for the afternoon. After conversation on “Noah Genda” we ventured across the bridge to dine at the “Parrot Key Restaurant”. We had a great time breaking bread and sharing wine, conversation and lots of laughs with Vic, Kathy and Emma. It was a beautiful night; the food was good and excellent service. We were not disappointed. We cannot thank the Quinn’s enough for taking the time out of their vacation schedule to make tonight such and enjoyable day/evening.