Offshore again!

 Our 3 days in Sarasota went SO fast! The only problem has been my sinuses…my head seems totally congested, and I am feeling terrible. If anything does drain, it's clear…so I'm starting to wonder if it's allergies. I have not even had a cold in years….oh well, we'll see if it goes away when I'm back in cold Tobermory!

                                        Can you figure out what I am doing in this picture???

The push-button lock on the cap of our truck was jammed, and we couldn't open the back of the truck. So....I suggested climbing through the two little windows between the truck and cap. Don's shoulders were too wide, and he doubted my hips would fit through! Was he wrong???? Yep!

I made it through...unlocked the tailgate...and Don made sure he lubricated it well!

On Friday the twins had a family birthday party! Oh, to be six again!

Snow Cat behind Gone Blue

On Saturday morning, it was time to leave. Jeff, Ellen, Abby, Caroline, Will, Daisy, and Ellen's parents, Bob and Jane, came to say "bon voyage." It was Snow Cat's shortest visit at Jeff's dock in 7 years!

We left Siesta Key at 9 am, went out Big Pass to travel offshore, and arrived at Boca Grande Pass at noon. There were small wind-driven waves coming off-shore, but the predominant waves were large swells coming from our stern. It was a great ride, and we successfully dodged the numerous crab traps.

At noon, we were taking the "shortcut" to Boca Grande Pass Channel, coming very close to this old pier, and saving us many miles!

Boca Grande Light 

When we got into the ICW channel at the bottom of Charlotte Harbor, we had to take a second look at this boat...It looks like Gone Blue!!! Such a pretty boat!!!

At San Carlos Bay, we turned into the "miserable mile" towards Fort Myers. The channel is very narrow, and usually busy with fast boats. But today, early Saturday afternoon, there wasn't much traffic! Boaters were already at their destinations...and it was too early to return home!

We fueled up and had a pump-out at the City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin, and were back on the Caloosahatchee River by 3 pm. These were buildings north of downtown.

We had many Manatee Slow Speed Zones...that took effect Nov. 15th...just a few days ago!

Soon the high-rises gave way to "normal" homes.

After the Franklin Lock, that raised us a whopping one and a half feet, we pulled into the Franklin Lock docks at the campground. With my Golden Age Pass, the slip cost $12, incl. electric! Yes, it was a great day on the water, and we were tied up by 4:30...and I couldn't wait to take a nap!