November 7: Home For A While - Sweetwater Landing!

Quick overview: For the last week have made another 180 miles toward the completion of our second journey around the Eastern half of the US - known as the "Loop".

It's only a couple of hundred more miles back to Banana Bay - the place we began March 28.

But for now it's time for a break! We'll be here, California, Ohio and Washington, DC, over the next month.

In the meantime, our stops included St. Petersburg, Cortez, Englewood, Cayo Casta State Park and finally here in Fort Myers.




Again we are so grateful for the weather - it continues to be almost perfect.

The day we left Caladisa State Park was no exception.

Tides continue to control the times we travel as the route in/out of Caladisi is 4.5 feet at low tide and we really like a little more cushion than 1 foot under the keel - even when the bottom is soft :-)

On the way this day we PASSED a McDonalds ON THE WATER -WITH a dock!!! Sadly the timing wasn't good so I waved and on we went :-(  One of these days!

Pulling into St. Petersburg on Saturday was different - something was missing!

Turns out is that the pier that was there last time is now gone! Just a few posts standing in the water.

But there are plans for building another one. Looking forward to seeing the new one on our next visit!










There was a folk festival going on that included food and entertainment from many countries. Mmm ... maybe more places we don't need to go :-)

We found a great place for breakfast - the Wooden Rooster. Amazing crepes.

And we had to go to our favorite Thai place. Maybe there will be a road trip or two while we're in the area :-)


One of the coolest places Steve rode to was the Sunken Gardens.  Birds, cool vegetation and tortoises.

For some history of the gardens, click here.

When I read the Growing Stone I wondered what would happen if I spend the whole day sitting on it.

Somehow I've never been able to get anything to grow maybe there would be something to this - we'll see!




The morning we left, the sunrise was once again beautiful. And the water was much calmer than when we came in 4 days ago.










It was a short 3 hour day South on a very calm Tampa Bay until we arrived at the Seafood Shack near Terri and Scott's home in Bradenton. Sadly they are still in Ohio - maybe next time ...


This is one of our regular stops but this time there was a sunken sailboat that we were docked right next to. Yikes!! Apparently it has sunk three times in the last 2 months and was scheduled to be refloated and moved to St. Petersburg next week.























The dolphins are very active in this part of the ICW and the white pelicans are always fun to see.

White pelicans along the waterway.

Cayo Casta was our next stop.This is another Florida State Park on a barrier island.It's much like Caladisi with access only by boat. Natural beach as well - no raked beaches here!

We tied to the state dock (a bargain at $10 a night). This gives us access to shore without having to use the dinghy - especially if we want to use the bikes.



Steve was looking to repeat his catch of a Sheepshead but he had to settle for a mangrove snapper which was still good :-)


Kayaks came out but there weren't many fish to see in the shallows except for the jumping mullets which were seemingly everywhere – it was kind of crazy!



The sun rises were gorgeous and the bike trails nicely shaded for at least part of the way on the ride to the beach.


We stayed a couple of nights and then yesterday came the final 50 miles to Sweetwater Landing Marina at Fort Myers.

Next - some travels over the next month!