Delilah's Meanderings

It has been six long years since the Admiral has eaten at the Cabbage Key restaurant! Today we finally took care of that situation. At 8:15AM we raised our anchor, motored out of Pelican Bay, and less than an hour later were anchored next to Useppa Island across the ICW from Cabbage Key. We practically ran up the hill to the restaurant after beaching the dinghy. Nothing motivates one like scrambled eggs, bacon, and blueberry pancakes … yummy! After eating, we walked the marked trail on the Island. This is a very nice trail, better than most state parks. At the start of the trail, there was a sign advising that you might encounter alligators. So the Admiral jumped at every little noise in the brush. She also walked next to me like we were attached at the hip. Alas, we didn’t spot any alligators! Part of the Island is elevated because of the shell mounds built by the Calusa Indians. We climbed to the top of the 1930’s water tower which is still in operation. Cabbage Key is worth a visit (by boat/ferry) if you are ever in the area. There are rental cottages, a small marina, gift shop, and of course the restaurant and bar.

We took the dinghy back to the boat and managed to cross the ICW without capsizing in power boat wakes! :) After a restful time at anchor the Admiral said “let’s go back for lunch” so we did and got the same waitress. Kim had shrimp salad and I had a grilled mahi mahi sandwich, much better than a turkey sandwich on the boat. After our second return to Delilah, we decided we better leave before we were tempted to make the crossing once again for supper. So we pulled up the anchor (actually that is my job, requires only a strong back) and had a leisurely sail around Useppa Island with the genoa (head) sail only. Useppa Island is a private island and you must be a member or guest to dock there. The Admiral checked out the place thoroughly with the binoculars. Still looked the same as when we visited years ago while chartering with a company having a Useppa membership. Feeling a little cocky we sailed rather than motored back into Pelican Bay (with the Admiral at the helm) and anchored in the same spot we left from this morning. Thankfully we were past most of the anchored boats so they did not see me scramble to the bow to untangle the jammed roller furling line so the genoa could be rolled up.

Tomorrow we are thinking about sailing out Boca Grande Pass for a day sail in the Gulf of Mexico. Time is about up for this season so we are trying to get in all the sailing we can.

Fair winds,
Mark & Kim aboard s/v Delilah