Entering Indian Key Pass, Ten Thousand Islands and Sunset at Russell PassAs Jenny ran through a canal housing area east of the Marco River Marina, she discovered empty lots with marked burrowing owl burrows complete with pairs of owls standing outside. The owls are protected, but that won't protect them from homes eventually being built over their homes.
We left Marco on Wednesday for the Ten Thousand Islands area of the Everglades National Park. First, we had to go around Cape Romano and its shoals (about a 20 mile U-turn). Second, the Coast Guard boarded us off the Cape to conduct an inspection. Five Coast Guardsmen pull along side in a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) from the USCG Cutter Marlin, and 4 boarded fully bulked out in kevlar vests with utility belt (including weapons). Bobby sat squished with 3 of them in the cockpit recalling his days in the Coast Guard (many, many moons ago) while Jenny was below doing the work - bringing out the vessel paperwork book, IDs; and showing 1 Coast Guardsman fire extinguishers, flares, locked head Y-valves (proof you are not discharging sewage overboard when using the head), and oil/garbage placards. Anyway, we passed...good thing Jenny remembered to have Bobby buy new flares before we left!
Heading into Indian Key Pass in Ten Thousand Islands, we turned port into an anchorage in Russell Pass. Going to starboard, staying in Indian Key Pass, would take you to Everglades City. A very quiet spot we shared with a sailboat from Canada and a powerboat.
Today (Thursday), is Bobby's 55th birthday. Another wonderful day underway, despite the voltage regulator requiring adjustment and a mounting bolt coming off the alternator. Hey, Bobby got to save the day twice, and on his birthday even (my hero). At anchor in the Little Shark River at the south end of Ten Thousand Islands, we sipped cocktails, enjoyed crab dip for an appetizer, and dined on crab salad on toasted English muffins with melted cheese on top. Yummo. A few more boats anchored here, but still peaceful with another night full of stars above.
We left Marco on Wednesday for the Ten Thousand Islands area of the Everglades National Park. First, we had to go around Cape Romano and its shoals (about a 20 mile U-turn). Second, the Coast Guard boarded us off the Cape to conduct an inspection. Five Coast Guardsmen pull along side in a RIB (rigid inflatable boat) from the USCG Cutter Marlin, and 4 boarded fully bulked out in kevlar vests with utility belt (including weapons). Bobby sat squished with 3 of them in the cockpit recalling his days in the Coast Guard (many, many moons ago) while Jenny was below doing the work - bringing out the vessel paperwork book, IDs; and showing 1 Coast Guardsman fire extinguishers, flares, locked head Y-valves (proof you are not discharging sewage overboard when using the head), and oil/garbage placards. Anyway, we passed...good thing Jenny remembered to have Bobby buy new flares before we left!
Heading into Indian Key Pass in Ten Thousand Islands, we turned port into an anchorage in Russell Pass. Going to starboard, staying in Indian Key Pass, would take you to Everglades City. A very quiet spot we shared with a sailboat from Canada and a powerboat.
Today (Thursday), is Bobby's 55th birthday. Another wonderful day underway, despite the voltage regulator requiring adjustment and a mounting bolt coming off the alternator. Hey, Bobby got to save the day twice, and on his birthday even (my hero). At anchor in the Little Shark River at the south end of Ten Thousand Islands, we sipped cocktails, enjoyed crab dip for an appetizer, and dined on crab salad on toasted English muffins with melted cheese on top. Yummo. A few more boats anchored here, but still peaceful with another night full of stars above.
Evening at Little Shark River
