Feb 20 On to Marco Island and then back to Ft Myers

Feb 21


We’re back in our slip at Ft Myers again after finishing our side trip south. We did a lot of walking in Naples checking out the “historic old Naples” 3^rd Street area, the upscale 5^th Ave. strip, the old “Tin City” waterfront area and back to our boat.   A big circle we did both days until our feet hurt. We were on the hunt for the Naples Heritage Museum.  After going to 2 different locations based on google, we finally learned it had closed down but a few of the items were on display at the visitor information center.  While the info center folks told us about the super high property values, low crime rates, outrageous median income level and a list of celebrity home owners they weren’t much help with the towns heritage other than pointing us to the small display.  We read through the handful of displays set up in a corner that were transferred from the museum and learned the area was once inhabited by a pre-Columbian group of Indians called the Calusa’s.   Very advanced and artistic civilization for their time.  They even created a small canoeable canal connecting the bay to the gulf.   Obviously, all dug by hand.  We left Naples mid-morning for the short cruise to Marco Island arriving a bit after noon.  

Short journey on Feb 18 Naples to Marco Island

 Another spectacular morning on the water.  The blue waters and white sand beaches are pretty mesmerizing.   We were greeted by multiple pods of dolphins as we exited Gordan Pass.   At one time we had 4-5 dolphin riding the bow wave on each side of the boat.  What a great way to start our day.  It’s always exciting to see them and even better when they stick around long enough for one of us to get to the bow and take some pictures

Leaving Naples and heading out Gordan Pass 

Greeted by our dolphin friends

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We had reservations at the Esplanade Marina on Marco Island which is part of a condo, shops, marina complex.  It’s tucked well off the main channel in Smokehouse Bay. Due to a few shallow areas in the narrow entrance channel we needed to enter/exit on the upper half of the tide.   Luckily our arrival and departure times coordinated as we would have touched or at least stirred up some mud coming through on the low tide.  This is the southernmost location of our loop showing a latitude of N 25.57.208.  Did I mention we’ve now put over 5100 miles under the keel?

Channel lined with homes leading to Smokehouse Bay

Esplanade marina and condo's

All our stops along the loop - so far..

We didn’t have a lot of time to explore Marco Island as we were staying for just the one day. Fronting the marina complex was a busy commercial street – not even sure if they have a “downtown” area.  It didn’t give the impression of a walkaround town so we mostly stayed put.  One of the claims to fame here is a Winn-Dixie supermarket that backs up to the water and has a dingy dock for boaters.  Of course I had to check it out.  Back at the boat we talked with a local on the docks and got a recommendation for dinner at a smaller family owned seafood restaurant called Kretch’s that was within walking distance. Since we had skipped lunch, we figured we’ld get an early dinner and then head back to the marina for sunset drinks.   Restaurant website said it opens at 4 so we headed over.  Winds up the bar side opens at 4 – food service starts at 5.  So we sat at the bar, had a drink, and got the 3^rd degree from the locals who were intrigued by our journey.

Beer with the locals

  Food was pretty darn good.   We split a combo platter with   lobster, shrimp and grouper.   All nicely grilled with a bowl of drawn butter for dipping.  It felt healthier than a fried platter but not really sure after drenching each morsel in the butter.  Did I mention appetizer was lobster-cargot?  Chunks of lobster in drawn butter covered in gruyere cheese and broiled. Some buttery puff pastry on the side for sopping up the left over butter. It’s good to splurge once in a while.


While we were talking with that local on the dock - who used to be a competitive sailor - SHE gave Martha a hard time about doing more docking.   So on our trip back from Marco Island Martha took the helm for the first 2 hour stint which included leaving the dock and navigating out of that skinny shallow channel.  

Martha takes us out Smokehouse Bay

We were greeted again leaving this inlet by pods of dolphins.  Not as many and didn’t hang around as long but took a quick video of them playing. Click the video link below.
 Dolphins on the bow


 Martha also took the helm to dock the boat in our slip in Ft Myers as I manned the lines.  Got to admit – she did an awesome job.  I may be losing my title as Captain!!  Long full day of cruising to get back to Ft Myers but our weather window was continuing to hold with sunny and warm conditions.   A little more breeze picking up as the day wore on as we’ve got a cold front  approaching tonight. 

Perfect conditions out on the gulf

Journey for Feb 20  Long day from Naples to Ft. Myers