Day 4-7     Sat.-Tues., April 14-17      Just Naples

Some of you have been to Naples, so forgive me if I share a bit too much information about this lovely town which is only an hour from Punta Gorda by car.  A private jet just flew over us, which happens a minimum of two or three times an hour all day long.  I’m thinking some must commute to work and fly back home in the evening.  Homes along the Naples Bay as you come off the Gulf into the channel are truly amazing, and we’ve heard they tear down multimillion dollar homes along the water to put up larger ones.  Downtown shopping is unequaled anywhere in Florida.  5^th Avenue is famous for a host of one-of-a-kind restaurants, and both novelty and name brand shops.  Landscaping along the street is manicured with stately palm trees and beautiful flower baskets lining the sidewalks.   Then of course there are the cars, the ones you almost never see on the streets of ordinary towns, the Maseratis, Lamborghinis, Jaguars, and Mclerans.  And last, but not least, there are the amazing yachts with a Captain ready at a moment’s notice to take the owners to whatever far away destinations they desire.  It’s truly a unique city and one that is nonstop entertainment for transient boaters.

Instead of being able to leave and go to Little Shark we decided to hold up here until we got a good weather window.  And “good” means calm seas and light winds from the east.  So you ask, “What did you do for four days. Don’t you get bored?”  First, Dennis either runs or walks almost every morning and I do my yoga/stretching on the boat.  We both use exercise bands and I brought weights to do some Les Mills Body pump routines.  Our foldable bikes were used to go to West Marine, WalMart and any other longer errands.  Oak Market is a farm market 0.7 miles from the marina where we found amazing salsa, pastries, fresh produce and oh yes a “Cesari” wine.  Walking to town, the beach, the pier, restaurants, shopping, Naples City Dock where Dragaonfly and Higher Porpoise were staying put us way over on our steps each day. One day was spent cleaning the boat, and doing the much-needed laundry.  Any down time was filled with a variety of reading materials and electronics on board, plus an occasional nap here and there.

On Saturday evening we heard voices on the dock to look out and see a photographer using our boat and the sunset as the backdrop for wedding photos.  Maybe, just maybe, we’ll be able to talk the bride and groom into sending us one.

On Sunday evening a fast-moving storm rolled through with strong winds and some lightening, so we loaded our navigational electronics into the oven.  “What?? The oven??” you ask.  Yes, you read it right, the oven.  It’s been said because of the metal walls this would protect precious equipment in case of lightening striking the boat.  Thankfully we didn’t have to test that theory out that evening.  Word of warning though; just make sure to take everything out before you use the oven! 

Monday, we saw remnants of the northern cold weather front with 70 degrees and high winds.  Tuesday was one of those days which seemed like it might have been ok to leave a safe port to be on the way, but after hearing incoming boater’s comments of rough seas and a churning inlet, confirming our decision to leave on Wednesday instead.

No two days on the boat are ever the same, even in the marina.  So four very different days to relax, explore, regroup, and sometimes do much-needed nothing.

Tomorrow, we’ll lose our internet, and the ability to post for two days as our cruise takes us across the Gulf  for 10 hours to Little Shark anchorage, then another 6 hours to Marathon and Boot Key Harbor on Thursday.  Predictions are for very little wind from the east, so calm seas, and it'll be mostly motoring or motor sailing for Dragonfly, Higher Porpoise and Aurora.  We will bid a due and safe travels to Sea Goose II, and Joan and Joe Thomas, whose plans have changed, and will be headed back north.  Thanks so much for joining us, and sharing your fun stories!   

Day 3-April 13, 2018- Ft. Myers to Naples

Flexibility is important when cruising, and sometimes schedules are scrapped to start over again, totally rethinking when and where to go next. Original plans were to make Marco Island on Friday, then leave there for Little Shark on Saturday, and Marathon on Sunday.  But incoming weather with high winds for the weekend gave serious pause for thought, and everyone agreed to stop in Naples a closer destination instead.  It’s an excellent place to hang out, close to the beach, with the marinas a few short blocks from practically anything you need or want to do.  

So with a shorter than expected cruising day ahead we dropped the mooring ball at 8:00 and scooted out Mantanza Pass, waving at Bill Rissel who was preparing his boat to leave for Punta Gorda.  Back out into the Gulf we found 15-20 knot winds from the east, southeast. Both sails were soon up and the engine off…so nice and quiet, which is always preferred, but not always possible. Although there were some pesky crab pots, with the engine off there’s no worry of them getting caught in the prop which can cause major damage.  So relaxing!  As winds increased and the boat started to heel, it was necessary to reef, (pull in some of the sail) in order to be comfortable and maintain good speed. 

Along the way the winds began shifting slightly to the south pushing Aurora further out into the Gulf, and increasing the distance to get to Naples.  When we were about a mile off course and still a few miles from the Gordon Pass the captain made the decision to restart the engine, bring in the sails, and get back on course.

Our main sail, which has in-mast furling (rolls into the mast), sometimes jams.  This time by wrapping the furling line around the winch and using the winch handle the sail came in perfectly.  It may not seem like a big deal, but when a 60 foot sail gets stuck half way, flopping madly, without any way to get it in or out, it can be a huge problem. 

Afterwards, Dennis commented, “After 7 years you’d think we would know everything about how to do this, but, we’re still learning.”  Which brings me back to Dennis’ favorite saying, “I can teach you to sail in a day, but to master it takes a lifetime.”

Beautiful homes line both the Gulf shore beaches and all along Gordon Pass.  Marine traffic is always heavy in the channel, with a wide variety of boats, some in a very big hurry to make their destinations. Joining us in Naples would be a third boat, our good friends Joe and Joan Thomas, on Sea Goose II, and were waiting in the slip next to us when we arrived at the Naples Yacht Club around 1:20.  Dragonfly and Higher Porpoise docked safely at the newly renovated Naples City Dock a couple of blocks away.  A surprise visit from Glen and Cathy Mayer completed our dinner table of 10 at “The Dock,” a waterside restaurant, where we recounted stories of the day's great sailing.

Nautical Miles Traveled: 29.6

Day 2-April 12, 2018

Winds picked up to about 20 knots over night causing the anchor to dig in, and although they had died down by morning it took more time than usual to retrieve, we were still anchors aweigh by 8:00.  Just a few feet from the ICW (Intercoastal Waterway) we were quickly on our way south to Ft. Myers Beach, passing the outer islands of North Captiva, Captiva and Sanibel, cruised through the narrow, busy and sometimes very shallow Miserable Mile without incident, then under the bridge connecting Sanibel to the mainland, out into the Gulf of Mexico for a few minutes before finally heading into Mantanzas Pass between the island of Ft. Myers Beach and the mainland.  Our plan was for everyone to spend the night in the mooring field there, but with Dragonfly needing to trade their dinghy motor they instead pulled into Salty Sam’s Marina a few hundred yards farther from where Higher Porpoise and Aurora moored.

On our way in we passed Pink Shell Marina and were surprised to discover our friends, Bill and Rosie Rissel’s boat there. After checking in at the mooring field office we walked along water on the Gulf side to find the Rissels enjoying the beautiful day on the beach.  Such a nice surprise to visit and hear about their eventful trip to the Keys.  Bill has a marina story to tell that cannot be topped!

Blessed, fortunate, lucky, call it what you like, but Brandon Mayer from Sweetwater Marina on the Caloosahatche River, thankfully came to the rescue in the evening.  After finishing work at his marina he drove across town, and walked nonchalantly down the dock with a new/used dinghy motor for Stillwells slung over his shoulder.  And if that wasn’t impressive enough, he hopped into the dinghy, pulled the other motor off and got the new one installed and running in about 30 minutes. Even Sue was able to start the new motor unassisted!  Amazing is the only word I can think of to describe this hard working young man, and highly recommend him and Sweetwater Marina.  Of course we all had to celebrate the successful end to our day with a meal together!

Nautical Miles Traveled:  23.6  

Day 1-April 11, 2018

Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the things you did.  So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor.  Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore.  Dream.  Discover.  Mark Twain.

Closed up the house and threw off the bowlines by 11:00.  Well, sort of threw off the bowlines, except for one.  We (I won’t say who) forgot to remove one of the six dock lines, and with no clue until feeling the slight tug at the stern, then a pop as the line shredded.   Heads shaking we were hoping it was not how the rest of the day would go.  Luckily, it was not a line we needed until we return and did not slow us down. 

Continuing along the outer rim canal and  into Charlotte Harbor,  we found winds of 7-10 knots on our stern, just enough to put the sails up, wing and wing, but not enough to move us more than 3 knots.  As we crossed the harbor we were hailed by Richard and Peggy Northrup on their sailboat “Wild Oats,” returning home from a trip to the Keys.  An hour into the trip, we gave in, turned on the engine, motor sailed to the ICW and then south into the Useppa Island Anchorage where we would meet up with two other sailboats to spend the night.  With winds predicted from the northeast at 20, we anchored, well-protected southwest of the island, but even so, backed down hard on the anchor to guarantee it would hold well.  

  

Joining us in the anchorage were long-time sailing friends, Tom and Sandy Wells, on “Higher Porpoise,” and Mark and Suzanne Stillwell on “Dragonfly.”  On the way over to our boat for dinner, the Stillwell’s dinghy motor, which I might add they had just had serviced, quit, and Tom towed them over instead.  Now some of you know how important a dinghy is to a sailboat, but for those who do not, it’s so important you don’t leave home on a trip without it in good working order, especially if you are anchoring out, or going to a mooring field, which were both in our plans for cruising to the Keys.  So now what would you do?  “Turn around and go back home? Continue on without a dinghy with only the oars, and hope you don’t need one? Or do you find a way to fix it?”  Our morning destination was Ft. Myers Beach Mooring field, and fortunately we know the owner Brandon Mayer of Sweetwater Marina on the Caloosahatchee River.  After talking with him that evening Mark and Sue decided to continue on and have him actually bring them another motor.

“Expect the unexpected!” one of our favorite cruising sayings.  All in all it was an uneventful beginning to our cruise, but sure there are many unexpected happenings to come.  Although no one likes to have adversity, it is definitely a time for creative problem solving, testing your inner strength, resiliency, tenacity, and nerve, to hopefully learn and grow from the experience.

Nautical Miles traveled: 24.8

Preparations for East Coast 2018

Anticipation is building for our 2018 East Coast trip!  

Our departure date is Wednesday, April 11, and as we prepare to be away for 4 months, our "to do" list is long.  Over the last few months Dennis has refinished all the flooring of the boat as well as performed many checks and maintenance on boat systems, upgrading as needed.  My job has been to replace 90% of the canvas, plus add a full enclosure, making any rough crossings or formidable weather more comfortable.  Although we will most always stick to our motto, "never leave a safe harbor to go out into bad weather." 

This past weekend was a shake down cruise to our Mariner boating club event at Burnt Store Marina, putting Aurora to the test.  First, the air conditioner intakes got clogged and Dennis decided to modify the system to make them easier to unclog. Next, the shower sump quit working, and a new sensor is on it's way to arrive on Tuesday. Grateful for Dennis' mechanical engineering degree and ability to problem solve whenever necessary.  

We feel so blessed to be able to make this trip again.  Please pray for fair winds, calm seas and traveling mercies.  As we witness God's protection on a daily basis, may we always be grateful for His provisions and great love. 

His Mercies are new every morning. Lamentations 3:23



(All posts below are from previous cruises, and you are welcome to read any and all.)

Wednesday, March 5--Marco Island to Home

After our "rocky" night off Marco, daylight couldn't come soon enough.  Bleary eyed we awoke to calm seas and and good winds that would allow us to push off shore, around Sanibel Island and through Boca Grande pass in grand fashion, completing the 80 miles to home in a record  10 1/2 hours. What a ride...there were times when the knot meter hit 8.5.  The approaching cold front with some thundershowers held off and we sailed under sunny skies into Ponce Channel around 4:00.

Every Wednesday at 5:30 is Happy Hour for our boating club so we had decided earlier to shower on the boat, dock and head over just to say hello.  Aurora was secured by 4:50, and we were on our way at 5:15.  Tired from our two long days and sleepless night we only stayed long enough for a quick hello and quickly made for the nearest restaurant.  Back home bringing in only what was needed for the night, we agreed to finish "de provisioning" the boat the next day.  Both of us were ready for an early night in our comfortable bed.

Tuesday, March 4, 2014

Get out of our way, we’re Punta Gorda bound! 

It seems once the decision is made to turn towards home on a trip whether we are 100 or 1,000 miles from home, wild horses, rough seas, or bad winds can keep us from our reaching destination as soon as possible. 

Upon leaving Key West with the sunrise, “Lena Bea,” “Wild Oats,” and “Aurora,” were blessed favorable 10 knot winds and calm seas, not just for a few hours, but the whole day.  With full sails up and motors on, our heading, northeast, to get as far as possible, probably somewhere off Cape Romano Shoals and anchor there for the night. As those favorable winds would have it, we kept resetting our way point and wound up a couple miles off Marco Island just in time for Michele on “Lena Bea,” to sound her conch, signaling sunset.  We were pleased with our day’s journey and knew if the wind and weather held we could very possibly make it home the tomorrow.  Storms were predicted for late in the day though, so the backup plan for bad weather was to get on the ICW in Ft. Myers and possibly anchor at Pelican Bay, and then wait to traverse Charlotte Harbor till Thursday.  Or, if the blessing of the fleet was as perfect as today, sail on the outside and in through Boca Grande Pass to home. Worry grants no shroud of peace; the mercy of the elements would dictate our decision when the time came.     

After our 12 hour day we were ready to fix a quick, hot meal, which for us was breakfast and settle in for the night.  After cleaning up it was still too early to make for the berth, so I pulled out a book and Dennis his guitar.  This was his first opportunity to sing to his heart’s content on the trip, so went up on deck and serenaded anyone who would listen.  It was a perfect ending to a perfect day on the boat. 

But as nightfall came so did a rocking current off the beam.  While yes, a little rocking is nice, too much is just that, too much.  We both awoke at 12:30 unable to sleep.  Our berth is at the rear of the boat, so I went to the settee and was able to get some sleep there, while Dennis remaining in our berth, went sleepless in Marco Island!  It’s one time where if we had not been with other boats we would have pulled up our anchor and headed for home in the middle of the night.  I can see/hear the headlines, “Cruise Leader Abandons Others in the Middle of the Night off Marco Island.”  “Captain and First Mate Unaccounted For.”  No, there are just things you do differently when on a cruise with others.  Needless to say, we were good and ready to leave Marco before the Wednesday sunrise.