Delilah's Meanderings

Saturday morning 8:15AM as planned we left the Tween Waters Marina dock … good-bye hot tub. We wanted to get an early start before the wind picked up and pinned us against the dock. On the way out we saw several manatee. This was our first sighting of the season. We motored 2 hours north on the ICW and anchored in Pelican Bay by Cayo Costa. Before anchoring we saw a bald eagle fly by carrying a fish. Heath Klondike bars in the Cayo Costa State Park store were calling our names so we braved 20+ wind gusts and went ashore to answer the call. As it turned out, the dinghy ride was no biggie. While on shore we took the shuttle ride across the island to the beach and took a quick stroll. On the way back to Delilah we saw a familiar boat from the boat yard, Mariposa. We stopped for a chat and were invited aboard for a cold beverage and to meet visiting family. Saturday night a cold front rolled through bringing a lot of wind and a little rain. We were lucky and the thunderstorms went north of us. The rain felt good so we took a quick swimsuit shower on the stern steps.

This morning (Sunday) the Admiral really wanted to go to Cabbage Key for breakfast, but the wind had shifted to the north and was again gusting in the mid-twenties. A visit to Cabbage Key requires anchoring the boat off Useppa Island and taking a long dinghy ride, crossing the channel. (bok bok bok, chicken sounds). We stayed in the boat, researched where to go next, and did some cleaning. I did the research (he he he). After lunch and after the wind had died down considerably, we headed north again on the ICW. We saw several dolphins. They were playful today jumping in the power boat wakes. Also we got a glimpse of huge sea turtle. After a quick 3 hour motor into the wind, we anchored next to the ICW and the Don Pedro State Park. We have never been north of Boca Grande so this area of the ICW is new to us. Also we went through the Boca Grande Bridge which swings to allow boats over 20 feet tall to pass. On the weekends it opens every 15 minutes if a tall boat is waiting. Check out the pictures of the swing bridge in the April 2016 Album. I have heard there are not many swing bridges left in service. I asked the Admiral if she would like to go eat at Zydeco’s and she yelled “YES” after 3 nano seconds of consideration. So we took the dinghy across the ICW, tied up the Don Pedro Park dock, and walked about a ½ mile to the restaurant serving Cajun dishes. The food was delicious and the pecan pie for dessert was perfect. One day soon we plan to stop sampling desserts. ; )

We think we will hang out at this anchorage for a couple days to check out the park which has a beach, go to Ace Hardware to refill a 20lb propane tank, and do grocery shopping at nearby Publix. After that, maybe continue north and stop at a marina for fuel, pump-out, and a real shower.

Fair winds,
Captain Mark