La Trucha Caribbean Cruise 2005

Ship's Log

(20-21 May, Fort Myers, Matanzas Harbor, West Mooring - Salt Sam's Marina)

We got into Fort Myers Fri, 20 May about 2pm - pushed up a little channel just off the Fort Myers Beach.  Beach was packed even on Friday - para-sails, jet skis, anchored pleasure boats off the beach - the wonderful sun-drenched life.  We preceded up the cut passed under a 65' clearance bridge and promptly ran into the spot where they say "shallow waters", and have a beat up sailboat tied up to let you know don't come here.  We were oblivious.  Anyway, Jim put that 55hp Volvo in reverse and before you know it we were free - after a few backing bells.  Moved on picked up a mooring ball with the famous blue stripe (ours was 23 and preceded to check in with the big dog - Salty Sam's Marina.  They told us upon checking in (they wanted all our papers except our birth certificate - Homeland Security, Fort Myers legal stuff, etc. - bottom line - $50 deposit for a shower key, and $10.60 a night for the mooring ball).  Incidentally, sign in the harbor says first come first serve, but there were plenty left.  People seem to go out day sailing, and in their stead leave a dinghy, to hold their spot. 

Saturday turned into parts day - First thing we drove the dink over to some restaurant on the water, which put us on the north side of the bridge to Fort Myers.  Jim had some breakfast, I had some coffee. Then we walked down to West Marine Supply - almost 2 miles - and picked up a part for the head.  The part, a valve for the dry flush was there and Jim promptly installed it upon return.  We have a fully functionally head again.  Instead of walking back to the dink we took the bus, as that 2 mile walk in the heat was not to be repeated.

Afterwards, got the laundry done while sucking down some Yuenlings and Margaritas at the Parrot Key Caribbean Grill, while waiting for the laundry.  Incidentally, Margaritas (which were excellent were $5.00 on Saturday, $3.00 for weekday happy hours, with draft beer $2.00 (which was also worth every penny).  Parrot Key is part of Salty Sam's mega empire, with ship's store, marina, boat storage, bait shop, boat sales, restaurants and on. 

So that brings us up to Sat afternoon.  Jim and I took the dink to the other side, and I took off for the beach he walked a bit and went back to the boat.  I called him up after the swim, and got a ride back.

Sat evening we ate again at the Parrot Key, excellent food for a great price:  $12.95 for fried shrimp, $8.95 for Aruba wrapped blackened chicken Sat. night.  Jim had oysters.

And again, lack of pictures is due to low battery for the camera.  It's been so long since we've stayed at a marina, and I cut properly charge up all the electronics. 

So this Sunday morning, 22 May, we waited on a little drizzle to pass overhead as we we're fueling up with jerry jugs and the dinghy over at Salty Sam's (diesel $1.99/gal), we watered up in the same fashion.  Lots of water, lots of fuel we're headed to the Dry Tortugas, and then Houston.  Altogether might take us 2 weeks or so.

High tide for Fort Myers is 11:38a so we'll be leaving with the tide.

Self portrait taken about a day after our departure from Fort Myers, Jim is getting ready to enter the Tortugas

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