Starting to feel like a dinghy
Sunday, 3/17/19, Crow’s Nest Marina, Venice, Florida
Happy St. Patti’s Day on this chilly and overcast day. Our fellow Looper boat Sea Change left this morning along with everyone else – then there was one – Scout was lonely for a little while then our dock filled up again. A big non-Looper boat from Colorado, a small boat from somewhere local and another Looper. Jim and Justine from Florida aboard Knights’ Kingdom just re-started Looping three days ago.
We had another pretty lazy day. Just chatting with our new dock mates, watching all the activity on the water and more on-line re-provisioning. The private fishing charter boat, Liquid Life Style, scored again and brought in another full load of fish! Dinner on board and an early night.
Monday, 3/18/19, Crow’s Nest Marina, Venice, Florida
It was so breezy and chilly this morning we had to turn on the heater. We fueled up, pumped out and pulled away from Venice at about 10:00 am. Turned out to be a beautiful day. We started out navigating a “ditch”, a 100 yd wide canal with 10 ft rip rap walls but it wasn’t long before waters opened up. We had some dolphin playing with us along the way. One so close to the boat that he splashed me several times when I tried to take his photo. I began thinking he might end up in the boat with us. They disappeared just as quickly as they appeared.
After passing under the Boca Grande Swing-Bridge we entered an area where lots of markers were missing which was quite confusing. There was a very narrow and shallow passage through the old railroad trestle structure and several signs warning “Danger Shoaling”, “Danger don’t go this way”, Danger something else. Beware! I would suggest that you don’t try this passage at night.
Arrived at Boca Grande Marina about 2:00 pm. This marina is a small, only about six boats here, upscale marina with a very accommodating staff. So far, it’s the most expensive place we’ve stayed at $3.25 per foot (includes electric) and you can rent a golf cart for $60.00. Once settled in we chatted with the folks here, had a glass of wine on the aft deck and went for a walk-about to the beach.
Snooki absolutely loves the beach. I think it takes her back to when she was a puppy in Rosita Beach, Mexico. She runs in and out of the water, then rolls and digs in the sand to find things to eat. Unfortunately, the next day she has “sand poop”. The Duke just follows her around barking at everything in sight.
On the way back it started sprinkling on us and we walked through the very cute little downtown but everything was closed. All the stores close at 4:30 or 5:00 pm so came back to the boat.
Tuesday, 3/19/19, Boca Grande Marina, Boca Grande, Florida
Rain woke us up this morning around 2:30 am. The wind also really picked up. We saw 25-30 knots so decided to stay put. Awww, not a bad place to be stuck!
Around 2:00 pm a couple of big yachts came into the marina. I mean REALLY big yachts for the size of this marina. It was entertaining watching them dock in 20+ knots of breeze but their landings where flawless. Also helped they had fenders the size of golf carts. We are beginning to feel like a dinghy around these big guys!
6 thoughts on “Starting to feel like a dinghy”
Sharon, I am so impressd how much you write about each day! Can you keep this up for another year? I hope so because I am mesmerized by Loopers, especially with you and Mike. I don’t know what it says about us, but we love being in anchorages all alone. Maybe when you are back in Bend, you can come cruise with us in Barkley Sound, Clayoquot Sound, Nootka Sound and Esperanza Sound. Oops,I guess the secret is now out.
Barbara you are so sweet. I think what I post might be boring so it’s nice to hear you enjoy it. Don’t know if I can keep posting for a year. I’ll try if I don’t bore everyone to tears.
We also like to anchor but the doggies make it a different dynamic. When we started we thought we would anchor much more than we have. That might change as we move along. We’ll see. We like both – the social aspect at the yacht clubs/marina is fun but so is being alone at anchor.
Would love to cruise with you guys when we get back to Bend.
Hugs!
I think one of the funnest (funniest) things about boating is watching other boats come in and tie up . We’ve seen some major mishaps.It’s all fun and games until you’re the one tying up and you become the entertainment. Oh well, alls well that ends well. Right?! Glad you’re enjoying your travels… sounds like you never know what you’re going to get. Have fun!
Michelle, That’s so true it’s pretty entertaining when someone else is trying to dock or attach to a mooring ball but when it’s you – it’s a whole different story! You’re right about not knowing what you are going to get. With Google – you can get a pretty good idea and read reviews BUT it is amazing how different it can be when you actually get there. Sometimes better sometimes not so much!
sounds like a great trip so far!!
Phillis & Fletcher
It is. Thanks for coming along via email.