Friday April 3: Marco Island

So for the past 4 days we've  traveled the almost 100 miles from Banana Bay to Marco Island.

Mostly along the Everglades National Park. No alligators spotted but then that was ok with me!

Actually it would be unlikely we would see them anyway given the waters over which we have traveled. The gators (and crocodiles as well we're told) are more in among the very shallow waters that in general we try to avoid :-)

The bay waters have been almost perfect for the trip with winds less than 10 mph most of the time and from the east or north.

Last night we ended up at our last anchorage - a very nice mangrove surrounded area only 10 miles from Marco Island.

Entry was over a 5' bar and the uncharted depths beyond. Active Captain review indicated the waters beyond were plenty deep.

We timed our entry for half-tide rising. So if we get stuck, we wait for the tide to go up a bit and on we go :-)

No one indicated the mud bars that were visible once the tide started going back out - I've outlined them in brown. They weren't difficult to see once the water went down but still kind of scary!!

The picture of the mud bar with the crane walking around says it all :-) Totally not visible AT ALL when we came in.

And to think that is where I was thinking we should anchor!!

Of course there was fishing - not much around other than catfish but still ......



Last night at anchor for a couple of days as we're headed to Marco Island for a two day stay at Rose Marina.






Nice place for the night. Almost no wind.






Off this morning for the short 9 mile trip up the Big Marco River. Very shallow - travel only at half tide rising again for a less stressful ride up the river. Draw more than 5'? Forget it ....


Some really fun places along the river in Goodland. Including the Big Marco Lodge - here on the river since the late 1800's.







Marco condo's appeared before too long. The start of the populated west coast of Florida.

We found a great place on the water for a late lunch. Biked to Publix for a few things.




Breakfast place is already picked out - the best diner on the island - or at least so goes the claim. In the meantime, Steve loved the following poster in the UPS store: it's our favorite - natural selection at it's best :-)