March 9, 2006:

After being launced we motored a short distance to a friend's dock for several days while we made sure all systems were working. I would like to thank Ray and Bob and their wives for their hospitality which was abundant in the area. From their homes in Punta Gorda we begin our adventure. After a turbulent ride from Punta Gorda through Charlotte Harbor we entered the ICW (Intercostal Waterway) and it's calm waters, had lunch behind Cayo Costa, a very protected beautiful island and then continued south to anchor for the night east of Ding Darling Nature Preserve on Sanibel Island. We had a beautiful night, calm water, sky full of stars and the first food off our new gas grill. Up at a reasonable hour (0700) we motored out to the ICW and proceeded south to the Sanibel Bridge. While waiting for the Sanibel Causeway bridge, chatted with folks on a sailboat that drew 7 feet of water and headed in our same direction. We cleared the bridge and headed toward Naples. The channel from the bridge toward Naples is more towards shore than one would think and there is not 7 feet of water west of the channel. We altered course to the East and found ample water. The 7 foot draft in 6 feet of water is not a good mix. We continued to Naples with the wind on the nose, the other boat to Marco Island. Said goodbye, wished them well, entered Naples at the Gordon River. We found a dock in Naples for several weeks to provision the boat and close up the house - still anticipating date of departure as Saturday April 1st. Lori has told Clay that if this is an April Fool's joke - he's in deep trouble! - Clay