Debbie and I had a few days to ourselves before Greg and my niece Fiona arrived for 10 days. We toured around on the motorcycle and went out for dinner one night at the Crow's Nest which is at the same marina we are docked at. I had been here years ago and it was still very good. Abby got long walks down Venice Blvd all the way to the Tamiami Trail and back, she walked or ran and I rode my bike. About 2 miles round trip. Once you get into the center of town many of the restaurants have tables right out on the sidewalk and Abby and I rode through about 6 of them me on the bike and her looking cute and trying not to steal any food off of the tables. Everyone always wants to know what kind of dog she is and if they can pet her. Never a problem with the little princess and she loves the attention.
Fiona and Greg arrived on Sunday the 21st and this was the first time we had met Greg. He is very nice and also a very interesting guy
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| Welcome aboard |
He installed electronics in Americas cup boats and traveled the world supporting them. He is also a boat carpenter so I can see lots of potential in his visit...... He also has been involved in building Burning Man Temples and after he left us he was heading to Washington, DC to build a Burning Man Temple at the Smithsonian.
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| Last year's temple. Which they burn to the ground at the end of the festival! |
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| Greg getting to know Abby |
Greg wanted to have his van serviced so I followed him up to Sarasota and we dropped it off at the dealer. He and I rode back to the boat on the BMW. We stopped and loaded up on goodies, booze and wine for the next week because we would be anchoring out for the remainder of their visit.
Fiona and Greg took our bikes and cruised Casey Key and then we met them for lunch near Blackburn Pt Bridge at the Casey Key Fish House for shrimp and fish dip.
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| Casey Key Fish House |
We left Venice on Tuesday and headed down the ICW towards Cape Haze Marina where we would fuel up.
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| Loading the BMW at Venice |
We pulled in around 3:00 in the afternoon and took on about 700 gallons of diesel. They have some of the best prices around at $2.20 a gal and even though it was tight getting in and about a 1/4 mile to back out it was worth it. We anchored out that night in Pelican Bay.
The next day brought us to Three Sisters anchorage off of Boca Grande. We went into the harbor there and stirred up lots of mud, or prop polishing. There was nothing that really turned us on so we went and anchored in the north end of the bay and had a relaxing afternoon. Greg and Fiona took Abby in the Dingy and went back to town for lunch and a walk on the beach.
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| Abby Greg and Fiona headed off to town |
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| Abby's new walking guide |
Our next day was Cayo Costa and also Cabbage Key for a "cheeseburger in paradise" Supposedly this place inspired Jimmy Buffet to write the song. Its a small private resort island that has a ferry boat that brings people over from the mainland to dine and stay. We docked the dingy and walked up to the restaurant for lunch.
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| A little history on Cabbage Key |
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| This is it. Cabbage Key Inn and Restaurant |
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| Heading to Cabbage Key. Sorry Abby no dogs allowed. That's the boat in the background with Abby guarding the boat. |
The Cheeseburger was pretty good and then we headed over to Cayo Costa to anchor for the night. Its a state park and has beautiful beaches that run for miles along the coast.
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| at Cayo Costa |
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| Free to Run |
Our next night was anchored off of Sanibel Island at Ding Darling Anchorage. Greg and Fiona took Abby for a dingy ride but were unable to find a place to land for a walk. We headed up the Caloosahatchee River to Ft Myers Yacht Basin where we would stay for a week.
Greg and Fiona took us out for a wonderful seafood lunch at Izzy's in Ft Myers. Great time and seafood. We tried just about everything.
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| Izzy's for lunch |
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| It was Sunday and there was an antique car show with the streets closed off. Nice setting for lunch |
We rented a car and took Greg and Fiona back up to Sarasota to pick up the van. Alas when we arrived and Greg got in the van all kinds of warning lights lit up and they had to keep it for another day. So we took that time to go to Phillippi Creek Restaurant for a bite to eat.
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| Lunch at Phillippi Creek Oyster House |
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| There's one in every crowd! |
They gave Greg a loaner so I wouldn't have to drive them up again the next day. So the guests that just won't leave stayed another night! We were very happy to have them another night.
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