Sarasota FL

Well, it's March 21st and we departed February 28th from Marathon Key. We traveled to Key West, spent one night, and traveled to Marco Island. On March 4th, we departed Marco River Marina and headed to Ft. Myers Yacht Basin. This was a very rough passage as the winds were from the NNW and we were taking on bow waves around 6'. The problem is that we got out of the channel, and hit shallow waters - hence the combination of 3' waters and 6' waves, we hit bottom. It was a horrible sound and I caved, handed the wheel to Ed and hung on while he got us back into the channel. We docked at Ft. Myers and much to our delight, our friends, Bill and Libby whom we met last summer in Green Turtle Bay came to greet us. They took us to one of their favorite restaurants and then bar and we enjoyed catching up since they left Kentucky Lake last October in order to purchase their home in Cape Coral. The next day, they picked us up and took us to the airport in order that we might fly home for the homecoming celebration of our son-in-law, Billy Scott after his year of service in Afghanastan.
we return to Ft. Myers on March 14th and on March 15th, our youngest daughter, Emma Katheryn joined us over her spring break from college.
On March 16th, we departed Ft. Myers Yacht Basin and headed to Sanibel. We arrived at the Sanibel Marina and found it to be quaint, surrounded by flowers and a genuine dock crew.
We walked the island, hunted for unique shells and laughed alot while enjoying one anothers company. What a blessing!
On March 18th, we departed Sanibel at 11:38 a.m. as we had to await high tides inorder to get out of the marina and it's sandbars. Note: Emma learned quick how to handle lines, tie off and flat coil the lines on the deck.
We cruised for about 10 hours and docked at Marina Jack in Sarasota at 10:41 pm.
All three of us were exhausted, we'd run aground about 4 times, but Capt Ed backed us off the sandbar and back into the channel. Capt Ed and First Mate Emma handeled the boat all day as I was very "green" most of the day. Once we got into the ICW (Intercoastal Waterway) and was able to contribute. I went up top, and aimed the mega spotlight on the channel markers so we could keep track where we were.
Once we docked we got off the boat and walked to the Marina bar and threw down a few and then crashed for the night.
At 9:30 on March 19th, Crew member Emma K Prosser deboated to head back to Indy with a weeks worth of learning and journey under her belt. Well done Emma!
Ed and I had originally planned to continue our cruising after a few nights in Sarasota but found the town to be absolutely terrific and the marina right downtown so to be walking distance of many boutique shops, restaurants (too many to mention), art studios, etc. This is a neat town! So, we think we will leave Great Mates II here for a few months while we travel home for the spring. Note: Good friends, Kim and Craig just happened to be visiting family in Sarasota so we hooked up and enjoyed an evening to include dinner, drinking, telling stories, and LOTS of laughing. I have a grateful heart for these dear people.
God's blessings and peace,
Lisa