{"id":2644,"date":"2019-12-21T21:50:20","date_gmt":"2019-12-21T21:50:20","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/foreverfriday.org\/?p=2644"},"modified":"2019-12-21T21:50:20","modified_gmt":"2019-12-21T21:50:20","slug":"st-petersburg-to-cayo-costa-to-cape-coral-to-ft-myers-to-moore-haven-to-st-lucie-to-delray-beach-to-ft-lauderdale","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foreverfriday.org\/index.php\/2019\/12\/21\/st-petersburg-to-cayo-costa-to-cape-coral-to-ft-myers-to-moore-haven-to-st-lucie-to-delray-beach-to-ft-lauderdale\/","title":{"rendered":"St. Petersburg to Cayo Costa to Cape Coral to Ft Myers to Moore Haven to St. Lucie to Delray Beach to Ft Lauderdale."},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Had a beautiful trip across Tampa Bay and down the GICW. Dropped the hook at Pelican Bay adjacent to Cayo Costa State Park. Beautiful area we went through last year. The next morning, we took the dinghy to the park and hiked around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Gulf of Mexico, Cayo Costa State Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This park is very unspoiled, and full of beautiful fauna and…gators.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Cayo Costa State Park<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\"\"
Makes me feel so warm & fuzzy seeing signs like this.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

And, the sunsets from here don’t suck.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Following morning, we waited for some fog to lift, weighed anchor and took off south. Skies were blue and the water was beautifully calm. Would have been a perfect day on the water if not for the asshole Florida boaters. They are quite good at messing with my Zen, and knocking stuff off our bridge.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year, we continued down the West coast of Florida, through the Everglades and to the Keys. This year, we wanted to sail across the center of the state and through Lake Okeechobee. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Arrived Grover Bight anchorage in Cape Coral. The next day, took the dinghy to the dock at Tarpon Point Marina, a swanky joint. Had lunch at Pinchers and walked around the property which was beautiful. Back at the boat, had some good thunderstorms. The skies broke just in time to grant us a stunning sunset. Although this looks like paradise, we were inundated with noseeums this afternoon and I had about 30 bites, 7 of which were on my left hand which swelled up like a baseball. I HATE biting bugs. Noseeums are the scurge of the earth.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Cape Coral sunset<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The sunrise the following morning was every bit as gorgeous.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Cape Coral sunrise<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Waited out some additional weather, weighed anchor and sailed the short 9 miles to Legacy Marina in Fort Myers. Sailed past what they call the Miserable Mile due to a very narrow channel with skinny water on both sides usually packed with lots of Florida boaters (have I mentioned how much I dislike them?). We lucked out and didn’t have much traffic. Tied up to a beautiful, floating dock. Did a bunch of laundry and walked to the grocery store. Walked into the downtown which was super charming, and decorated for Christmas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
downtown Fort Myers<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Later that day, met up with Cameron and Suss who drove down from Lakeland. Was SUCH a treat seeing them. Had an awesome dinner.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Mike, Suss, Cameron and me<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Walked to breakfast the next morning at Steve D’s, where the locals come in for beer before 10am, and some of the ceiling panels are missing from water leaks. We dropped in the night before for a couple beers and games of pool and dug the place. Went back to the boat and watched the Army v Navy game. Was rooting for Army for Mike, but my dad was in the Navy so can’t be upset about them winning. Have always loved that game, but even more so after visiting West Point and Annapolis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Departed Ft Myers early the next morning to stage for crossing Lake Okeechobee. The further we got from the West Gulf coast, the more the scenery changed. And, what was in and around the water.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"\"
Cows in the water<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
\n