Ft Myers Beach

The day before we left our Pelican Bay anchorage, a "floatilla" of Hunter sailboats dropped their hooks nearby.

A display of the variety of shells we picked up on our walks along the shore of Cayo Costa island at Pelican Bay.

Enjoying our last spectacular sunset at Pelican Bay.

On our way from Pelican Bay to Ft Myers Beach we passed by the Sanibel Island lighthouse.

A view of Ft Myers Beach from the Gulf of Mexico.

Captain Eddy says the view is just great from the upper helm.

Why walk along Ft Myers Beach when you can ride?

Spiritus stayed hooked up to this mooring ball the four nights we stayed at Ft Myers Beach.

As you can see (that's her right in the middle of the picture below), she had lots of company.

We took the dinghy to shore daily to enjoy discovering the sights & sounds of  Ft Myers Beach with fellow loopers Mike & Cindy, from the sailing vessel, Aurora.

Captain Jack Sparrow on the boardwalk at Ft Myers Beach Pier.  Arrrgh !!!

A well-behaved pelican waiting patiently for a handout during "Happy Hour" on the pier!

Mike & Cindy prepared a yummy breakfast for us on Aurora.  Check out the "oven" in which they creatively baked our cinnamon rolls.

Couldn't resist taking this picture of a young "beach diva" soaking up the rays!

This cool Tide Clock was on the outside wall of the Ft Myers Beach Library.  When you figure out how it works, please let us know!

Enjoying drinks, dinner, and a game of Doodle Dice on Spiritus.

Cindy, who played for the first time, was the champion for the evening.

This photo is very special because our First Mate was actually out of bed to witness this sunrise at 7:10 a.m.

The view from a balcony at Diamond Head Resort at Ft Myers Beach, future sight of Linda's annual "Sisters Reunion" in February.

Happy Hour at Petey's Upper Deck Bar on Ft Myers Beach.

Sing, Dance, Cheer, Smile, Drink, and Eat!

Mike & Cindy corrupted Linda and taught her to drink BEER . . . . and LIKE it!

Return to Pelican Bay

 

After leaving Punta Gorda we returned to Pelican Bay.

One reason for anchoring here again was the marvelous view we had from our salon . . . . . . .

 

. . . . . . . as well as being able to watch the playful dolphins that surrounded Spiritus! 

 

 

This laughing seagull became our "pet" for three days because we started feeding him.









After a long hike across the island to the Gulf, we took off shoes and the backpack . . . . . . .


 . . . . . . . and had a yummy picnic lunch.






Our peaceful anchorage provides us a good night's sleep.





Captain Eddy prepared a hardy breakfast before another hike on Cayo Costa.





A quick ride in the dinghy takes us to the island for the day.





Spanish moss hangs from the trees all along this trail.




 
Captain Eddy's pace quickens as he sees the beach ahead.

 



 

 





Wild Mother-in-law's tongue (thinking of you Wilmama!) lines the trail on our way back to the dinghy.

 

 

 

I think we've started an "after hiking" tradition here on Cayo Costa!

 

 

 

If you can't relax in a setting like this . . . . . . . .

 

Punta Gorda

Friday, January 11th, we arrived at Laishley Park Marina in Punta Gorda.

This town was badly beaten up by Hurricane Charley in 2004, but you wouldn't know it today.

 

 

 

 

The town has recovered remarkably well and has built this first-class marina.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mike & Mundy, Canadian Loopers aboard Done Dreamin', greeted us upon our arrival.

We met them two weeks earlier when we were in Venice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

The marina loaned us bicycles so we could tour their charming town.

We quickly discovered why it is a popular retirement community.

 

 

 

 

 

The Tiki Hut, adjacent to our marina, is a favorite hangout for the locals at sundown . . . . .
 


 . . . . . . and you can see why!



 

Dale & Jo Mogle, friends from our Hawaii days, join us at Laishley's Crabtrap for lunch.
Jo was one of the founding members of the women's sailing group, "The Wet Hens".





 
Linda takes a break at Fisherman's Village, enjoying one of Punta Gorda's many murals.





  

 Misty, Jo & Dale's charming four-legged friend, joins us for happy hour at the Tiki Hut.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Eddy thought Misty wanted to give him a kiss, but she really wanted a taste of his margarita!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Two former Wet Hen Skippers share fun times and smiles!

It's a Lifetime Thing!

 

Placida and Pelican Bay

Gasparill Marina, in Placida, was a one-night stop for reprovisioning.  However, it was also an opportunity for us to watch Alabama beat Notre Dame on a big screen T.V.

 

 

 

 

  

 

 Eddy poses with "feathered friends" at a nearby artist emporium, while Linda tries to look "pretty as a mermaid".

 

 

Cruising past the Boca Grande Lighthouse, the oldest operational lighthouse in Florida.

 

 

 

 

 

 

After anchoring at Pelican Bay, the Captain takes time to cool off with a swim around Spiritus . . . . .   

 

 

. . . . . . . while the First Mate finds a better way to cool off!

 

 

 

 

 

Pelican Bay is on the northeast corner of Cayo Costa Island and is a state park.
The only way to get to and from the island is by boat.
 

 

 

 We walked across the island to the Gulf side to enjoy a picnic lunch on the beach.

 

 

 

 

 

Linda holds up 9 fingers to remind our northern friends that it is the 9th of January!



 

 One of the many hiking trails in the park.

All the trails we took provided shade during most of the walk.

 

 

 

 

 

 As boaters, we weren't quite sure how to interpret this sign.

 

 

 

 

 The reason these waters are called Pelican Bay.

We eventually got used to hearing the constant splashing of "dive-bombing" pelicans!

 

 

 

 

 Fellow loopers Russ & Cindy came to invite us aboard their trawler "Lady Bug" for stories, drinks and dinner.

 

 

 

 

 Yes, that IS a Klondike Bar.  She had to hike nearly 6 miles to justify her indulgence!

 

 

 

 Three nights of fabulous sunsets at Pelican Bay.