Local Cruising

It's time for some local cruising.* After a 10 hr drive, we arrived at the boat.* Unloaded, unpacked, and went to dinner.* Just now settling in.* We have some chores to do such as installing a Weaver Leaver on the dinghy, putting the name and hailing port on the dinghy bottom, and install the new 12 point aft light on the cabin top.

Then we hope for some serious time on the hook at Boca Grande, Cayo Costa, and Useppa Island.* Lou is recovering quite nicely from vertabrae surgery, so this will be a local and peaceful trip (hopefully).

I will try and post a few pictures for Jennifer as we go along.

Awesome Don! Glad you are on Moonstruck and all seems well. DO post lots of pics!

Sounds awesome, I am looking foward to seeing the photos!*

We finished up some chores on Moonstruck.* Then it was an hours cruise towing the dinghy to the south entrance of the Boca Grande Canal.* Weather is perfect.* It just couldn't be nicer.* Boca Grande is just a wonderful place.* We walked around the village this morning then a little shopping.* One more night on the hook here.* Then it will be off to Pelican Bay at Cayo Costa for a couple of nights.* Paradise!** I could get used to this.

Yes, Jennifer, we will have some pictures to upload.

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!

Don- please consider me your adopted son!!

We just got back from 8 days just north of you @ Treasure Island south of Clearwater. *I agree- weather is simply perfect down there right now!!


Enjoy


-- Edited by Woodsong on Wednesday 2nd of March 2011 02:51:09 PM

We are so jealous.... Delia Rosa is currently on the hard... temperatures below 0 C. *.... snow ... not very nice!!

Pineapple Girl wrote:

Pictures! Pictures! Pictures!

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OK, Jennifer.* Here's a taste.* When we get back and write up our blog there will be more there.

1.* Anchored in Boca Grande Canal
2.* Whidden's Marina----old Florida
3.* Boca Grande Marina----New Florida
4.* Loose Caboose Restaurant center of Boca Grande Village
5.* Moonstruck seen from County Dock across from Pink Elephant Restaurant

*


-- Edited by Moonstruck on Thursday 3rd of March 2011 10:22:53 AM

Beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing. I really like that "old Florida" pic!!!

Doing a late winter cruise myself this weekend.

Just out to set some King Crab traps.

Predicting temps in the upper*teens and wind only to 15 knts.

SD

Baker wrote:

Beautiful!!! Thanks for sharing. I really like that "old Florida" pic!!!

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John, for old Florida, try these.* Our dinghy landing at Whidden's, and the store entrance at Whiddens complete with the obligatory sleeping dog to step around.* Of course, that is my trusty green recliner out on the covered section of the dock.



*

thank you!* Hope to be there sometime in 2012!

Pineapple Girl wrote:

thank you!* Hope to be there sometime in 2012!

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Jennifer, the weather is about 80 degrees for a high* 62 degrees for a low.* However the wind is blowing 20-28 mph.* That is a little high for the open anchorage at Cayo Costa.* We are anchored with the stern tied holding us close to a bank of high mangroves.* Perfect protection from the east wind.* This is the third night here.* There may be 4.* Can't think of a good reason to move on.

*

I just looked up where that was.* I had tried to convince my husband we should move to Port Charlotte with no sucess.* sure looks nice, though that is pretty darned windy!

Pineapple Girl wrote:

I just looked up where that was.* I had tried to convince my husband we should move to Port Charlotte with no sucess.*

sure looks nice, though that is pretty darned windy!

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Jennifer, you would love the Charlotte Harbor area.* Sure there is wind as there is anywhere in Florida.* However, the cruising here is great, and there is always an anchorage to slide into.* Great destinations, great restaurants, and so near the Keys.* Also about 25 miles to the Bahamas.* We are at Boca Grande for the 4th night.* Lou said, "why leave this great place".* Here are a couple of more pictures.

Moonstruck at anchor
Anchorage looking North
Pink Elephant Restaurant across from the anchorage
Boca Grande Village

*

skipperdude wrote:

Doing a late winter cruise myself this weekend.

Just out to set some King Crab traps.

Predicting temps in the upper*teens and wind only to 15 knts.

SD

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SD, hope you got your cruise in.* Tell us how you did.

*

Pineapple Girl wrote:

I just looked up where that was.* I had tried to convince my husband we should move to Port Charlotte with no sucess.*

sure looks nice, though that is pretty darned windy!

Click to expand...

The bugs, lightning, and steamy, tropical weather will keep me away.*

*

love the pics Don.

Mark- the lightening only hurts if it strikes you.

markpierce wrote:


Pineapple Girl wrote:

I just looked up where that was.* I had tried to convince my husband we should move to Port Charlotte with no success.*

sure looks nice, though that is pretty darned windy!

Click to expand...

The bugs, lightning, and steamy, tropical weather will keep me away.*
I LOOOOOOVE tropical weather.* It never gets HOT around here.* Some nice heat and humidity really make you appreciate air conditioning and icy rum drinks.* So what if the bugs are so big they take people's chihuahuas???*

*

markpierce wrote:

The bugs, lightning, and steamy, tropical weather will keep me away.*

*

Click to expand...

Mark, take a closer look-------no screens, no A/C, no heat.* Perfect!

*

Moonstruck wrote:

*
markpierce wrote:

The bugs, lightning, and steamy, tropical weather will keep me away.*

*

Click to expand...

Mark, take a closer look-------no screens, no A/C, no heat.* Perfect!

*
But where are the mountains?

Looking toward Skagway, AK:



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-- Edited by markpierce on Monday 7th of March 2011 09:31:58 PM

Mark,
One does not need mountains in FL. They have fruity rum drinks with flowers in them instead.

markpierce wrote:

But where are the mountains?

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Mark, we live in the mountains and boat on the coast.* I think mountains like that would just clutter up my radar screen.

*

I think Don has this whole thing figured out.* Who else among us has a barcalounger on the beach??*

Don is my hero.

Don
Your doing it right!
They don't say "The coldest winter I ever spent was the summer I spent in San Francisco" about Charlotte harbor.

To say I am jealous would be a HUGE understatement!!* Huge.

Love the pics Don!*

This is the earyliest I have been out.

Did a little crabbing and sight seeing.

1.* Garmin advertisment
2.* This one was a keeper 5 1/2"
3.* Whittier across Passage Canal
4.* All small had to let them all go

SD

-- Edited by skipperdude on Friday 18th of March 2011 12:39:21 PM

-- Edited by skipperdude on Friday 18th of March 2011 12:44:52 PM

Dude,* Good going--like the snow capped mountians.* At 70+ degrees today in NJ I should have gone out to.* Just could not get to the boat.* Always sumpthin!

JohnP

Alright JohnP It's time to change that. Race ya to the Dock!!!

My back Yard



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-- Edited by skipperdude on Tuesday 12th of April 2011 12:21:32 PM