KEY WEST

We made the 90 mile trip from Everglades City to Key West with picture perfect weather! 

Thistle was off the dock at 4:30am, with the commercial fishing boats. It was pitch dark and we had to navigate 8 miles down a twisty, shallow channel to enter the Gulf of Mexico. Our night vision binoculars were very helpful! The rest of the day was spectacular, clear blue skies and tropical water. We arrived at the Northwest Channel Inlet about 2pm and dock at A & B Marina in Key West by 3pm. Our timing was perfect, arriving at a slack tide as the current can be extreme when entering the harbor.

Our original reservation in Key West was starting a few days later, but from weather reports we were aware that there was a very limited good weather window...with winter storm Benji approaching. Captain Greg called our Marina and thankfully they arranged for us to arrive three days early :)

We are very lucky to have a reservation here in Key West for the month... (Our reservation was made a year ago!)

Looper Tip: Although not used often, this morning, our night vision binoculars were essential to safe navigation! (Just in case you are looking for that perfect Christmas present :)

Wishing all of you a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Sending special love to our family and friends, who follow our our blog ....XO until 2018.

We crossed the Gulf of Mexico, from Everglades City to Key West.

Key West :)

Key West is a very colorful town!

There are still many damaged boats on the breakwater from hurricane Irma.

A & B Marina is the best!

Our secod day in the Marina there was a big storm. 

 Happy to be safe and secure in the Marina for winter storm Benji, there were gusts over 30 mph and  the temperature dropped to 61 the following two days (cold for Key West?). 

Two restaurant at the Marina.

Fun times on  Duval Street! 

Our view from Thistle's flydeck.

Fa La La La La La La La ...Mingo! 

The best use of crab pot buoys.

Key West.

Lobster Trap tree!

XO  Greg & Reenie 

SOUTHWEST GULF COAST of FLORIDA

The last week we traveled down the SOUTHWEST GULF COAST of FLORIDA. 

Our first stop in Boca Grande, Florida. Boca Grande is a small residential community on Gaspirilla Island. The town is known for its historic downtown, sugar sand beaches and fishing. Very early inhabitants were Calusa Indians, living on the island in 5,000 BC. Just like the Indians, many wealthy American and British sportsman came here to fish. This influx of fishermen "Put Boca Grande on the Map".

The next stop was Captiva Island. On the way there we passed by famous Cabbage Key Island. We tried to stop for lunch but the dockhand wasn't very helpful and it was pretty windy. Oh well, so much for our "Cheese Burger in Paradise"? 

Once we arrived to Captiva Island we docked at 'Tween Waters Inn and Marina. According to folklore, Captiva got its name because the Pirate Captain Jose Gaspar (Gaspirilla) held his female prisoners on the island for random (or worse). Today Captiva is known for one of the best shelling beaches in the world. It was voted one of Americas most Romantic beaches by Travelocity. There is even has a Pepperidge Farm cookie named in the Islands honor "Captiva" (a dark chocolate brownie)...Yum!

We planned on one or two night stop on Captiva, but stayed for three nights.  It's one of those magical places that would be easy to stay forever! But, The Great American Loop is calling our name to move on.....

Our next port, Pink Shell Marina at Fort Myers Beach, Florida. This Marina was voted in the top 25 Best Places to dock in North America by Power and Motor Yacht Magazine. It's a very busy region and one of Florida's top tourist destinations. During the American Indian War of the 1830's the United States built Fort Myers. It was used as a base of operations against the Seminole. 

From Pink Shell, we crossed the Bay and docked at Salty Sam's Marina in Fort Myers Beach. We moved Marinas to watch the Fort Myers Beach Christmas Boat Parade! (We took an Uber to the local shopping center to purchase some Christmas decorations for Thistle:).

The next day we traveled to Naples, Florida. The ICW ends in Fort Myers so we are now traveling (outside) in the Gulf of Mexico. We docked at the beautiful Naples Boat Club. The Club is very well maintained with large yachts, a swimming pool, free laundry and gorgeous clubhouse.Naples is famous for its high end shopping and dining. It is one of the wealthiest cities in the United States. It gets its name from Naples, Italy. We loved riding our bikes around Naples, the people and pet watching is unbelievable! Our favorite restaurant was Cafe Milano...half price everything from 3:30 -5:00 (voted 5 out of 5 stars from us:). 

We left the opulence of Naples and headed to Everglades City, Florida (these two ports are as opposite as possible).  We docked at the historic Everglades Rod and Gun Club. This old Club has been shared by Presidents, sportsman, pioneers, travelers, Loopers and locals for over 100 years. It is located in the 10,000 islands and near Everglades National Park. The city has a tropical savanna climate, that consists of warm dry winters, hot and humid summers with heavy rain and lots of misquotes! 

With a good weather window we will be crossing the Gulf of Mexico to Key West :)

Looper Tip: We finally watched "Beneath the 12 Mile Reef" ... it is a must see for all Loopers stopping in Tarpon Springs. 

The last week we traveled from Longboat Key to Everglades City.

There were many more low bridges!

Sights along the ICW: more dolphins, hurricane damage and lots and lots and lots of crab pots.

We were interested to learn that Florida stone carb are sustainable. 

The fisherman only remove the crab claw and then the claw regenerates by the next season. 

There are very strict Florida laws that address crab fishing.

At the Boca Grande Marina.

From our dock we walked to see sunset and then enjoyed a jalapeño margarita at The Pink Elephant!

The sunset was spectacular:) 

We passed Cabbage Key where it is rumored Jimmy Buffet wrote "Cheese Burger in Paradise".

'Tween Waters Inn and Marina on Captiva Island. 

It was very shallow getting there, but totally worth the extra effort! 

Our friendly dock mates were on a beautiful 1949 Rybovich.  

That evening we enjoyed dinner, ice cream and great stories (Thank You :) 

Highlights at 'Tween Waters ... a beer at the Mucky Duck (right on the beach), 

ice cream at Pinocchio's (dirty sand dollar) and the Christmas decorations at 'Tween Waters. 

Captiva Island is one of our favorite stops on the Great American Loop :) 

Good night from 'Tween Waters Inn and Marina.  

Pink Shell Resort and Marina in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. 

The Pink Shell Beach, dinner at Yucatán and boats decorated for Christmas. 

A short 30 minute trip to Salty Sams's Marina also in Fort Myers Beach, Florida. 

 Lots of commercial fishing boats in the harbor.

The Boat Parade ! 

(We had a great slip to see and hear everything:) 

Thistle is decorated. 

Naples Boat Club in Naples, Florida. 

Many large boats in the Marina! 

Naples pier and beach. 

Cheers to Third Street South, our favorite area of Naples. 

Getting in the Naples Christmas spirt...Ho Ho Ho!

The Everglades National Park. 

The Everglades Rod and Gun Club. 

Inside the historic Club house. 

Thistle docked at The Everglades Rod and Gun Club, Everglades City Florida.

NORTHWEST GULF COAST of FLORIDA

We have been on the NORTHWEST GULF COAST of FLORIDA the last few days.

Our first stop after "The Crossing" was Tarpon Springs. Early settlers saw Tarpon jumping out of the water and so named the location Tarpon Springs.

Tarpon Springs is famous for its sponge industry. In the 1800's, John Cheyenne founded the first local sponge business. Many people from Key West and the Bahamas settled in Tarpon Springs to hook sponges. In 1905, John Cocoris introduced the technique of sponge diving. He recruited divers and crew members from Greece. The sponge industry soon became one of the leading maritime industries in Florida. In 1947 a red tide alge bloom wiped out the sponge fields in the Gulf of Mexico. Eventually, the sponges recovered, allowing a small but consistent industry today.

The 1953 film "Beneath the 12-Mile Reef", depicted the sponge industry, takes place and was filmed in Tarpon Springs. 

Tarpon Springs has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the United States. We both like Greek cuisine and were very happy with our dining experience.

Our next port was Dunedin. The towns name comes from the Scottish name for Edinburgh, the Capitol of Scotland. It's a small town known for its bike trail and unique business district. The business district is notable for its absence of commercial signage and lack of franchise restaurants or chain stores. Our favorite shop was named Thistle :)

On to Sarasota and we docked at Marina Jack. Sarasota was once the winter home of the Ringling Brothers Circus. Today the City has a number of cultural centers, notably The Ringling Museum of Art. There are many barrier islands that separate Sarasota Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. These islands are known as keys and have some of the prettiest beaches in the world!

Our next port was Longboat Key Moorings on Longboat Key. Longboat Key is the largest barrier islands in Sarasota County.  We agree the beach is absolutely gorgeous:) 

Looper Tip: Be Thankful for you Loop experience... its unbelievable!

The last few days we have traveled from Tarpon Springs to Longboat Key.

(red line)

Yummmmm...The Stone Crab Festival.

Herb, the Tarpon Springs Harbor Host, had a celebration for the Loopers who Crossed together:)

Tarpon Springs is famous for their sponging.  

There is a large Greek population in Tarpon Springs.

Hellas was our favorite Greek restaurant.

The Pinellas Trail is 38 miles long.

It connects Saint Pete to Clearwater.  

We rode our bikes to Old Tarpon Springs and enjoyed breakfast at the Trailside Cafe.

We waited for the tide to rise and departed Turtle Cove.

It was very shallow!

Our depth gauge read 4 feet 6 inches at low tide?

Thistle's draft is 4 feet 1 inch.....

A beautiful day heading south on the ICW.

We went under a drawbridge and had dolphins jumping in our wake before docking in Dunedin. 

Thistle docked in Dunedin. 

Our favorite shop in Dunedin. 

We rode our bikes to Clearwater and had an interesting lunch at Kara Lynn's, our first ever Paleo Restaurant!

Then got caught in a rainstorm and rode the Jolly Trolly back to Dunedin. 

Back on the ICW headed to Sarasota.

Tooooooo close ... on a few bridges?

We made it :) 

Thistle is docked at Marina Jack. 

We are near the "Unconditional Surrender" statue. 

The BIG smooch is 26 feet tall, it honors a famous photo of V-J Day in Times Square. 

The statue has been a very controversial addition to Sarasota, people either love it or hate it? 

We  Love it XO 

Happy Thanksgiving!

Missing family and friends today, but we are unbelievably Thankful for our Great American Loop Adventure.  

XO 

We enjoyed a traditional Thanksgiving dinner aboard Thistle.

(With a little help from Whole Foods :) 

The next morning we had rain and clouds.

Thistle had some pretty nice company on the guest docks!

( 100 + foot yachts :) 

The rain stoped...

We docked at Longboat Key Marina.  

We spotted a pink bird (Roseate Spoonbill) near the golf course on Longboard Key 

and

a Manatee in the Marina (red circle). 

Longboat Key was featured on the cover of Marina Life.

While docked at the Marina we have use of the Resort.

A very nice day on the beach relaxing and collecting seashells :)