Sailing and Discovery

Gasparilla Inn

Assisted Living and Other Boats at Anchor in Boca Grande Lagoon

We departed Cape Haze marina on Saturday, Jan. 29, 2011 at around 0900 on a very low tide. We had some worries about getting out of the marina and back into the waterway but it turned out those worries were unfounded. We had plenty of water beneath the keel.

We crossed through the Boca Grande Toll Bridge ( the one we payed $5 to cross over the day before) and headed toward Charlotte Harbor and our destination of the Burnt Store Marina on the southeast side of the "bay". The day was magnificent, with temps in the high 60's and, despite fairly light winds---8 to 13 kts---we had a wonderful, quiet (no engine) smoothe sail across Charlotte harbor to our destination, arriving around 4:30 PM; and after several really lame and embarrasing attempts to back the boat into the slip, safely secured her, bow-to, by around 5:00.
The marina gets its name from the area---everything around here is named after "Burnt Store"---the story is not too exciting--there was a trading post that the indians burned down when they got pissed at the settlers---big deal---I think that happened a lot. Certainly nothing to name several hundred square miles of geography over---

BUT---The area is very nice. Lot's of "old people"---Hey! That's us!! NIce residential area---high rise and single family--golf, tennis, clubs, a restaurant or two, and a very nice full service marina. Diane asked for and got a slip right by the "facilities" so we don'thave too far to walk to pool, bathroom, showers and laundry--in fact they're right at the dock we're tied to.

This is the area we decided to put down some roots to explore the area for a few weeks. It's about 10 miles south of Punta Gorda proper, 15 miles from the PG airport and only a few miles farther to Ft Myers and its airport. WE will explore the area by car and by boat and Diane will leave me here for a few days as she travels back to Houston to take care of the taxes (unless we can figure out how to do it from here---all the files and papers are, of course , in Houston. She's also taking care of her Dad's taxes and estate as well, so, we may have to send her home for a few days.)

We met the people in the boat next to us--Chuck and Nancy from Springfield, Mo. They keep their Catalina 350 here year round and come down and live on it 4 months out of the year during the winter months--another variation on the "snowbird" experience. Nancy still works as a Cath Lab nurse but pretty much calls her own hours---she returns today for a couple weeks for work, then she'll be back. Chuck is a retired---get this---insurance defense trial lawyer. Go figure.

They have a vehicle here and have offered it to us, and Chuck will take me over to Ft Myers on Monday to pick up our rent car.

We also met Paul and Eileen Orednick--friends of friends from Kingwood. I may play golf with Paul friday if there is an opening in his group, but we are also to have dinner at their home on Friday evening. They also offered the use of their car. We have met and enjoyed the nicest and most generous people on this trip, and these are no exception. We are truly looking forward to our stay here.

Right now we are at anchor (actually--we have a bow anchor out and are tied at the stern to mangroves, along with 5 or 6 other boats) in Boca Grande Lagoon ( By the way, they pronounce it "grand" and don't sound the Spanish "e" on the end).We were told about this anchorage by everybody we have talked to and are truly enjoying it. We arived yesterday--Tues.-- and after spending about 2 hours getting secured (with the very generous help of Jack from New York, aboard a 27 foot Watkins, who just happened to be passing by in his dinghy as we were unsuccessfully trying to swing the stern around to get it tied up to the mangroves) we dinghied over to an available dock and took a short stroll into town, sat for a glass of wine at an outdoor cafe--and some delicious O rings-- and stopped at the local market for a few things. We'll rent bikes tomorrow and see more of the island and probably have dinner at the "Pink Elephant"--a restaurant that is part of the Gasparilla Inn complex.

The weather has been outstanding---70's--finally, we're in shorts and sandals. The blue ski jacket and long undies have been retired to the plastic tubs in the "garage" and life is truly good.

We had a great jib only sail over here--about 2 hours-- on Tuesday. We'll spend another night here and then on to Pellican Bay off of Coya Costa Island, just north of Captiva Island. We'll save Captiva and Sanibel for another discovery expedition because I plan on being ensconced in front of a TV watching the "Steelwers" prevail on Sunday---How 'bout them Steelwers, Bill and Peggy and Barb!!!!!

So now it's time for lunch aboard and then dink over to the island for a bike ride, etc.

BTW------Our hearts go out to all of you experiencing the worst storm/cold front to ever strike the Continental US while we are comfy and cozy in the tropics. You know, it's a crappy job but someone had to step up and do it---That's me!!! Hope all are safe and warm.