Burnt Store Marina on Charlotte Harbor to Ft. Myer’s Beach

Clear skies, rising tide, easterly 10 knot winds creating following seas, and light chop on the water escorted us from Burnt Store Marina into Charlotte Harbor around 10:20a.m. this morning, finally Bahama bound. 

It’s been three days since we left home, but already the cruising routines have begun.  Before leaving in the mornings everything inside the cabin must be secured, routes must be charted and weather apps carefully studied to make sure conditions are good for travel.  Upon departure, all lines, hoses, electrical cords and fenders must be secured, with instruments turned on to make sure they’re functioning properly. 

Crossing Charlotte Harbor was easy and uneventful arriving on the ICW near Boca Grande around 12:00p.m.   At Useppa we were joined by another Mariner sailboat, Valhalla, with crew Louis and Sherry Beer on their maiden voyage to the Keys.  The Miserable Mile in Ft. Myers was enough to make even the seasoned sailor ill with large vessels kicking up wakes of all shapes and sizes.  Finally under the Sanibel Bridge we motored to Ft. Myers Beach picking up a mooring ball around 4:30p.m., covering the 43-mile day in about 6 hours.  Overall a good day, except for heavy Sunday afternoon boating traffic, we were all ready to relax.  Four of the seven boats gathered aboard Wayne and Michele Sharp’s  “Lena B,” for appetizers and cocktails, while the other three wandered ashore to explore the Ft. Myers Beach sand sculptures and have dinner at Nervous Nellies.  Gentle breezes should make for gentle dreams for the night, resting crews for tomorrow's destination, Marco Island.    

Being on the water means leaving the hectic pace of retirement life and slowing to a turtle’s pace, immersed in the wonder of nature.  Seeing everyday things in a new perspective, senses intensify and the beauty of God’s world is again brought sharply into focus.  Elements of wind and water now control our destination, and possibly destiny.  Venturing into the unknown to test self-reliance and strength of our faith, we feel both privileged and grateful for this awesome opportunity.