Marco to Little Shark River to Marathon (Keys)

Maggie Jo enjoyed the slip at Marco Island for a week.  We had
great weather and a very nice marina, Marco Marina.  We met some golden loopers
and like us those that were in the process.  It is a small world when you know
people in common.  We went to church and sitting behind us was a couple from Emmertsburg, IA. they
were connected to Pizza Ranches and know Brenda and Chad from Pella.  We got back to the boat and there
was a knock on our door and here stood Nolan and Mona (Hoot Owl) we finally are together again, last time we
were together was Green Turtle Bay in Kentucky four months ago. 

Heading out of Marco Island! Calm waters are always a plus!

Heading out on the gulf - as always we keep our eyes open for crab pots and dolphins! 

First day we anchored out in Little Shark River ! Hoot Owl grabbed a piece of rock and was able to
anchor in the inlet, we anchored on the outside near friends on Fruition, in the gulf, because we tried anchoring five times inside the river and the anchor dragged on rock and wouldn't set.

Looking for an alligator?  Maybe...but as we get close to anchor I assist Capt. Tom. 

Above was our course and the mileage we accomplished for the day. You can see
where we traveled up the river and then went back out to anchor.

Time to celebrate the moment! No cell phone service and just us and the beautiful waters!

Sunsets are more beautiful everyday.  God's art gallery is just the best!

This is the marker of the most southwest part of Florida's mainland before crossing
Florida bay to the Keys.  

Following Hoot Owl and watching out for the crab pots.  I kept calling them
clay pots and it was driving Tom crazy.

Hello and welcome to Marlin Bay Marina, this was our greeter!

As we were riding around the neighborhood a fellow looper called us
over to show us that a Manatee that was assisting him with his boat washing.

This will be our home for the next two months!  Marlin Bay Resort and Marina! 

Fort Myers-Naples-Marco Island

Sunday morning in Fort Myers we were heading to church, following our GPS to a Redeemer Lutheran Church and ended up at an art studio where people were doing Tai-Chi, so we moved on. A couple on a sailboat that we met at an anchorage stated when they were in a town they would look at the skyline and walk to the closest, highest steeple, so we took their advice. We ended up in a beautiful Presbyterian Church, stained glass windows, pipe organ, and a choir up front dressed in robes. The member were welcoming and even gave us some microwave popcorn with a note that said,
"Thanks for Popping In". The pastor last name was De Jong, so we felt like we were in Pella IA (our Dutch town).

A photo of Maggie Jo (and us) leaving Fort Myers Legacy Marina.
We haven't pulled up our fenders yet, tacky. When we tried to go up to our crusing speed (a fast 9 mph) we had a vibration.
We were wondering in we picked up something on the propeller or if it was covered with barnacles from Maggie Jo sitting in a marina for a month without moving.  When we got down the river from downtown Fort Myers closer to the clearer water of the gulf we pulled over into a bay to inspect the prop.  I jumped over with my snorkel gear and sure enough the prop had small barnacles on both sides of all four blade. After three breath holds and a plastic scraper I had it cleaned up. Oh yeah, I bumped my head on some barnacles and cut my left hand in three spots. The rumor that barnacles are sharp is correct.  And, no sharks came to clean up the blood.

Angie piloting as we leave Fort Myers Beach heading for Naples.

Within walking distance from our Marina was this shopping and restraurants.
We walked downtown and of course did not take many pictures. 
We explored the town- I walked 5.9 miles while shopping and back to the Marina.
 We did meet a couple at a street crossing and ( he was wearing an Iowa State shirt), long story short we ended up having lunch with them. 

From Naples we followed the Intercoastal Waterway to Marco Island, rather than going out in the gulf. The depth alarm was going off alot but we never hit bottom. Alarm is set a 5ft and we draw 3.5 ft.

Our route from Naples to Marco Island.
We are going to stay in Marco for a few days to wait out high winds and waves before we head to Marathon in the keys.

Christmas in IA & KC, back to Fort Myers FL

Emily and Tom included Samuel in the baking of Grandma Margaret's sour cream twists. 
They were yummy!

We've seen alot of Bald Eagle along our great loop route, but about a mile south of our
 house in Pella on the Des Moines River is always great location for them in the winter.

Pat (Tom's sister) and Angie enjoying wine on Chris and Rachel's porch.  It
did not feel like Christmas day with temps in the 60's in KC.

Always is good when our families can be together. We got to meet baby Stella!

Missing Ben! He would love this leggo display.  Tom needs to
have a scuba diving day with his sons. (No I do not scuba I snorkel with Emily).

We arrived back from our Christmas break at 1:30am.  We love this marina Legacy in
Fort Myers.  Nice neighbors and we were surprised to run into some other friends we made along the way!

We are thinking Brother Dave and Ben Lyng would love these sinks in their shop.
This is at the Ford Garage restaurant in downtown Fort Myers.  The food was great.

Tom loved presentation of his food.  Note the shop towel as a napkin and the radiator hose clamp napkin ring.

Okay so I had to sample to make sure the wine is good when it is served in a can! (And it was good)

The redline is approximately our route so far. 2700 miles.