Florida Everglades

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After 2 weeks in ultra crowded Marathon we decided to head north (!) up the west coast of Florida - and both agree it has been the highlight of our cruise so far.

A 50 mile day found us in the Little Shark River - totally isolated - no McDonald's or roads or cell phones or wifi for many miles. The wildlife was spectacular - a dolphin almost joined us in the dinghy during one ride. Big rays lept clear of the water, flipped and splashed down noisily - always when you least expected it. Big turtles drifted by and the birdlife was amazing.

We continued further north to Everglades City (really a village) where we had a great but short visit with Kim, James and Lukas - they drove down from Punta Gorda where they were staying with Lin & Rick.

We tied up to a dock at the Rod and Gun Club - built in the 1860's and full of huge stuffed dead fish and local animals.

At the northern end of the Everglades we found our favourite anchorage to date behind Whitehorse Key - a number of nice white beaches to beachcomb and no other boats!

Yesterday we tied up at a marina for only the 3rd night in over 3 weeks - to do laundry, check messages and provision. We are at Marco Island and the beginning of busy, busy south west Florida - Naples and Fort Myers just ahead.

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Photos

Marathon anchorage
with more than 400 boats it is one of the most crowded anchorages we have seen - but it has developed a community spirit and by using the cruisers radio network each morning you can get things done, meet people and organize stuff to do

hauling the anchor
Little Shark River - pic taken by Peter on "Transition"

gamming
with Bill and Betty of "Inspiration" in the Little Shark - pic by Peter

dinghy touring
the mangroves were so tangled we could not land to walk around so the dinghy was the only option

visit with Lukie
the little guy seemed to enjoy his first time aboard Gust O'Wind at Everglades City.

family visit
Kim James and Luke made the 2 hour drive from Punta Gorda to visit us

Whitehorse Key
lots of nice beaches within dinghy range from this anchorage

beachcombing haul
we found many intact horseshoe crabs as well as the shells on these isolated beaches - we'll see if they survive the trip home!

Comments

[Tim Wilson]

I would love to photogragh that large horseshoe crab, I hope it makes it back OK
The beach at Whitehorse Key is so white I thought it was snow for a brief moment (that's how conditioned we are up here)... silly me.

[Mary Stephens]

Ian and Marlene....I have thoroughly enjoyed your adventures and look forward to hearing your stories in a couple of months (if you return). Mary