Day 1: On Our Way

Today, at 10:40 a.m. EST we threw off our bowlines, and sailed away from our safe harbor in Punta Gorda Isles.  Winds were light, skies sunny, and seas calm when we arrived a few minutes later in Charlotte Harbor.  While motor sailing across the harbor we noticed dolphins off both starboard and port, and the brackish brown water from the Myakka and Peace Rivers gave way to a lighter and much clearer aqua as we neared Boca Grande Pass to the Gulf of Mexico.  At the pass we turned south and traveled along the ICW (Intercoastal Waterway) for about 30 minutes to our destination, Useppa Island and sheltered anchorage, arriving about 3:45p.m.  To the west of the anchorage is Cabbage Key, famous for Jimmy Buffet’s song Cheeseburgers in Paradise. Adding to the island ambiance, a floating tiki hut soon appeared.  Definitely worth checking out!

Miles traveled today 23.8