24-25-26 January, 2020 Ft Myers, Florida. City of Palms

My brain has been in idle for the past couple of days.  Great to chill, no tide, current, depth, rude boaters, dragging anchor, crap pots or navigation to be concerned about.

24 January

20 SM; 3.7 engine hours

62  degrees. Great quiet night in long cutoff

Uw @ 0750-real skinny at low tide--3.2 feet.  Very slowly eased out paralleling along side of the sail boats and quickly into 4+ feet then deeper exiting.  Headed to Ft Myers.

Sunrise looking aft

 @0820 reached end of GICW and entered the Okeechobee waterway.  Numerous no-wake zones and rude boaters without regard for their wakes.  Many no-wake areas, congestion, cross waterways and ignorance of rules of navigation on the waterways.  We have made the decision to go the Okeechobee Waterway route to the Atlantic. We have discussed for several days to go on to Naples, Marco Island and across Florida Bay to Marathon, Fl in the keys.  While we have not cruised our boat on that course, we have wintered in Naples area for several years.  We are familiar with the area and waters due to guiding and kayaking. We have kayaked many of the areas, have camped many times all along the keys from Key Largo to Key West.  We have even taken the ferry from Key West to Dry Tortugas Island and primitive camped, and snorkeled.  So, kind of been there and done that, maybe another boat trip another time.  We have not done the Okeechobee Waterway from Ft Myers to Stuart, Fl.  More on the waterway and the 2nd largest fresh water lake in another post.

Ft Myers

A couple of weeks ago, we were still thinking we might/would go around the tip of Florida, so we had mail forwarded to Ft Myers Beach (beach) which is about 18 miles south of were were are now.  We intended to go the the mooring field for a few days then continue south.

Ft Myers Beach mooring field--first come, first serve.

With our change of course and ultimate coming to rest at the Ft Myers city yacht basin our mail is a long way away.   We secured Serenity at 1120 and reviewed options.  Uber was going to be about $75 w/o tip round trip.  Too much.  So, I down loaded the transit app and we walked to the bus stop.  Good news, day pass only $4.00.  One way and three buses later and a two block walk we were at the PO before it closed.  Three hours duration.  Buses were clean, generally on time.  We made it back a little after dark.

Nice transfer station with iPhone charging stations

We are safely tucked away right down town,  The historic waterfront district is right here.  Several fellow loopers are here and at another larger marina about 1/2 a mile away.

25 January
Today was exercise to include walking to find the nearest Publix grocery store, getting bananas and doing a nice early morning 3.5 mile walk.

We spent the day doing laundry, cleaning the boat, fresh water washing the canvas and isinglass then using special purpose cleaner on the isinglass.  Later in the day we walked the 1/2 mile to the other marina to visit our new friends on their 36 foot trawler.  Joyce and Fred have many years sailing experience to include crossing the Atlantic twice together on their own sail boat.  Great stores and great experience shared with us.

26 January
Sunday morning, another guest church.  We found the CityGate Ministries.  What a great gem only .8 mile away.

City Gate

The music was excellent, the sermon spot on.  Highly recommend if you are in the area on Sunday morning.  Afterward, we walked back toward the marina and the historic area was closed off for a free hot rod, custom car display.

Maybe 100-200 vintage, hot rod and custom rides.  Looked at cars and chatted with folks.  Then off we headed for 3.5 mile round trip walk to the Marine trading post, which carries new and used marine supplies and parts.  Wandered around for an hour, bought filters and zip ties.

Marine Trading Post

By this time we were getting hungry and the boat was 1.8 miles away.  So we spotted the cowboy seafood ...something or like that.  So, needing a peanut oil fried food fix we got an order of hush puppies and cajun battered shrimp.  yum-yum.

Good as it looks

It was kind of dirty New Orleans side of the road kind of place, but we are not throwing up yet.  Peaceful day.  Tomorrow serious work on Serenity.