Hello & seasons greetings from MV Ruby Slipper. Excuse the brevity of this posting but I just wrote my heart out & LOST it all! And, I did not lose it all, Bill said I'm a better person than he. Anyway, a Readers Digest version of what I wrote... Cayo Costa was more than we expected. Truly one of our Top 10 anchorages of all. We hiked numerous trails, spotted abundant wildlife (including a flock of uncommon white pelicans), rode bikes on the beaches & watched the dogs frolic in the sand & surf. Tho dogs aren't allowed on the beaches we were able to take them on the trails & a special lagoon beach just outside of the park. We all must have walked a good 3 miles a day. One day, I did a solid 6! Bill & I took the dinghy over to Cabbage Key for OUR Cheeseburger in Paradise at a restaurant that can only be reached by boat. A cool spot that has a bar where more than $50,000 one-dollar bills adorn it's walls. Naturally, we added to it! While walking the beach, I collected more than my fair share of beautiful shells. Some for me, many for friends & family.

After 5 days we left to make progress north to visit dear friends Jim & Kathy, J & Maric and Arlene & Joe who live near or are visiting St. Petersburg. Looking forward to the warmth of some wonderful friends!

Now, we're at anchor at Englewood Beach (near Venice). Here for Christmas & possibly the next big cold front. Or may move on again...

More later from the merry crew of Ruby Slipper. Merry Christmas to all!