West pass/ 10,000 Islands

Started out a little earlier today hoping to get to Shark River, but only made it as far as West Pass.  Heading out San Carlos Bay my husband decided not to follow the channel markers and to rely on the chart plotter which said it was deep enough.....well it wasn't!  We bumped bottom, scared the poo poo out of us!!No harm done and lesson learned!
      The auto pilot started acting up again, we know it's not the system so we think we still have air in the
hydrolic steering so we bled the system again.  All we can do is wait and see.  Would not want to cross the Gulf Stream without it! So let's all say a little pray for the auto pilot please!!
   Set anchor at around 5:00. It is a beautiful anchorage, little out of the way. So secluded!
 We had to work our way in here, about an hour, but we wouldn't of gotten to Shark River until after dark.

The captain relaxing after a hard day of driving

San Carlos Bay Lighthouse

     Phil's Private Pirate Rum Barrel Logan and Shawn gave found it's way on board, imagine that!!! The sunset was beautiful 1st good one we've had...thanks Mom.  All is good.

Chewdog's favorite spot!

Sunset at West Pass

St. James

Woke up to the sun shining!!   Pulled anchor at about 9:30 am and headed out. Still very windy...20 to 25 knots and cold!!  Our little water gauge showed we have used about 30 gallons of water so far.  Phil turned the water maker on and topped the tanks off!  I love that!!  Our problem child (Chewdog!) has done her business on the poop deck on the boat and that my friends is a huge milestone!!!! Now if we can just get her to stop trying to jump in with every porpoise that rides our bow!! The little one does just fine. We met Pat at the city pier by the bridge (Punta Rassa) in Ft. Meyers Beach. to get the regulator and hose. Just nosed her in there and back her back out. Thanks Pat for the squid and DVD's too! Back tracked up to St. James City and anchored (1:00 pm) for the night ...waiting for the wind to die down before we go out into the gulf towards Marco Island our next stop. All is Good

Useppa Island

Rain Rain Rain Rain Rain!  Thank goodness for isinglass!! Only got to Useppa Island, wanted to be anchored before the big storm chasing us hit. Our new Rocna anchor held just fine with 4 180 degree wind changes! I think Phil is in love..... All is good.

Venice

Tried to anchor out by our friend's home on the Inter-coastal but..... our little cove was not going to be deep enough in the early morning!!!  So off to Venice! Anchorage here is terrible, so many permanent sailboats in the anchorage there is no room for anyone else.  We are at the Public dock hoping they don't knock on our door after midnight to make us move!  We will see.... Have meant a very nice couple from Liverpool. They tried to anchor out too but couldn't. They are in a sailboat at the public dock also! We are watching the rain coming down the coast and waiting for our friends to bring us dinner. All is good!

The time is close for us to throw the lines off the dock and begin our journey on our boat the Elizabeth Pearl. We are heading south down the west coast of Florida from Longboat Key. Our cruise plan is to travel over  the next two week and make our way to the Bahamas. We have planned stops in Venice, Ft. Meyers and then on to Shark river. We will be transiting Yachtsmans Channel and head to Channel 5. Hopefully we will meet up with other cruisers at Rodriguez Key prior to making the crossing.