Marco Island Rose Marina , Panther Key anchorage , Everglade City

Before I write about our trip from Fort Meyers Beach to Marco Island and south- I wanted to share some additional information about meeting up with Jackie and Don Cola- FRYEDAZE former owners. When we were at Longboat Key and our good friends Sandy and Billy came for a long weekend- we decided to take the boat out and ride up to the Manatee River and Bradenton. On the way back, we were behind a sailboat who required the Cortez Bridge to be opened. Unbeknownst to us- Don and Jackie were on top of the Cortez Bridge and Don instantly recognized his boat. The next day (after the tornado :-) ) the four of us were headed to Siesta Key for lunch and a walk on the beach. We were getting off the boat and this man and woman were standing on the dock saying you need to get off this boat. We all thought there was another tornado warning and he was spreading the word (even though the skies were a brilliant blue). When Dave got off- Don proceeded to tell him to get off "his" boat. Dave instantly put it all together. It turns out that their daughter's fiancé's boat was directly across from our slip at LBK and he was there checking the lines after the bad storms. We invited them to lunch on Wednesday and caught up on their RV adventures and filling them in on FRYEDAZE journeys. It turns out that when they were on the Loop 10 years ago they also stayed at LBK just like us. It was so wonderful catching up with them- we even got to go to their RV for lunch right before we left LBK! All in all- another wonderful part of Great Loop Cruising!

On Tuesday morning we started our cruising south again. It was so wonderful having Jo Ann and Robbie with us for the week and spending Sunday with my Aunt and Bill but it was time to get back to our "normal." Our first stop after leaving Ft. Myers Beach we went to Rose's Marina on Marco Island. What a gorgeous place! We liked it so much that the bad weather on Wednesday and Thursday was a real bonus. I felt right at home because I was able to walk to Publix once again- I just loved doing that in Longboat Key. Dave found a great haircut place and we just enjoyed getting to know the area.

We left Friday morning for an anchorage in the Everglades National Park- Panther Key. It was absolutely gorgeous and so very peaceful. We even got lucky and had a nice breeze so no mosquitos and "no see-ums"! Saturday we came into Everglade City and we felt like we had stepped back several decades. This is truly "old Florida." The marina we are at is connected with a very posh RV park. We are the only boat in the marina and we were puzzled why until all the airboats continued zooming around us until 5:00. It is so loud sitting on the bridge but we haven't minded as we enjoyed people and boat watching!

Today we went on our own airboat adventure. I had gone on one when I was a teenager and was looking forward to repeating the experience. It didn't disappoint- we even saw two alligators. It was an exhilarating ride through the mangroves and salt marshes. Our tour guide was wonderful and very entertaining. Tomorrow we are headed to the Shark River- our last anchorage before we hit Marathon on Tuesday. We are scheduled to be there for March and April and we are looking forward to the company that are coming to spend time with us!



Last look at the Pink Shell Resort as we were leaving Ft. Myers Beach



Sunset on Marco Island



 
 

Key West Express that goes to Key West every morning at 8:30 and returns at 8:30 that evening.

Sunset from our anchorage at Panther Key

 
 


 

Sunset from Everglade City

 
 

 

 

We had lots of dolphins following us into Everglade City. These four stayed with us for almost 5 miles!

 

I was being the dolphin whisperer with the dolphins who were guiding us!

 
 

Just a sampling of all the airboats that buzzed around our boat!

 

This was us on our airboat tour this morning. Lyle our guide was incredible!

 

Saw this guy laying out of the water trying to warm up!

 

We enjoyed this couple from Switzerland on our tour!

After our tour we walked to the Rod and Gun Club that was built in 1864 by a Mr. Collier- thus Collier County, FL. It has been visited by five presidents, Ernest Hemmingway and many other famous people. It was a beautiful spot for lunch. http://everglades-rodandgunclub.com/history/