PLACIDA, FL TO PELICAN BAY AT CAYO COSTA, FL

Sunday, January 18th to Monday, January 19th, 2015

Day 167-168
Miles Traveled on Monday: 9
Total Miles Traveled: 2610


  Sunday we stayed at the dock at Gaspirilla Marina in Placida, FL.  Dan was able to get the windless fixed in no time at all.  An in-line fuse had some corrosion.  Once he cleaned off the corrosion, the windless worked just fine.  

  John & Kathy on "Serenity" and Glenn & Brenda on "Young at Heart" arrived at the marina late morning and we helped them dock.  After lunch, we walked across Boca Grande bridge to an area where a local resident advised us that there was a restaurant, some shops, and a fresh fish market.  We browsed through the shops, and, even bought ourselves a fun rug to help keep the cockpit floor a little cleaner.  We also located the fresh fish market and planned to return for a purchase.

Dan with mermaid sculpture in front of store

new rug - fun flip flops

  After our walk, we sat up in the flybridge and enjoyed the sunny day.  We observed two ospreys circling the water looking for their next meal.  One was successful at catching a big fish.  The second one decided he wanted to be invited for this hearty dinner.  Our eyes could not believe what happened next. 

"Invite me to dinner or else I will sit on your head"

  We had "docktails" on "Young at Heart" and with "Serenity" as well.  Was a nice evening with fellow Loopers.

  Sunday morning we walked back across the bridge to the shops and fish market.  Kathy on "Serenity" went along as well.  We all bought some fresh seafood for dinner that evening.

Kathy and Angie with some fun flamigos

 

  By late morning we left Gaspirilla Marina and led the way to Charlotte Harbor.  "Young at Heart" and "Serenity" were following as we made our way to the anchorage at Pelican Bay that is just off the shore of Cayo Costa State Park.  We had 2-3 foots waves as we went across Boca Grande Inlet (opening to The Gulf of Mexico) and at one point we were swaying about 25 degrees back and forth.  Fortunately, this didn't last long and we were back in more protected waters.    

"Young at Heart" and "Serenity"

Charlotte Harbor

  The entrance to get into Pelican Bay, called Pelican Pass, has some shallow areas.  We went slow and watched the depth sounder closely.  It was worth the effort, because the anchorage was beautiful. 

"Seahorse" at anchor in Pelican Bay

  After getting our anchor set and having some lunch, we put the dinghy, "Pufferfish", in the water and headed over to the dinghy dock at Cayo Costa State Park and met up with John & Kathy on "Serenity" and Glenn & Brenda on "Young at Heart".   We rode the tram to the gulf side where there was a nice beach.  Dan and Kathy took off their shoes and enjoyed the cool Gulf waters and sand between their toes. 

Waiting for the tram to leave - Dan, Kathy, Glenn, Brenda, John

Dan and Kathy walking barefoot on the beach

  

  After docktails on "Serenity", we returned to the boat and Dan grilled the fresh Mahi Mahi fillets we bought at the fish market.  Dinner was delicious.  It was a great travel day and beach walking day with great friends.