Naples FL March 1-3

March 1-3, 2014

NAPLES

Clay and I arrived Naples Boat Club Marina later afternoon Saturday following our morning departure from Legacy Marina in downtown Ft. Myers. With an audience of dockmaster Judy and an additional dock hand, I handily (and proudly) lassoed the starboard piling first try and the port piling second try. It's always fun to have an audience when I do that well!  Collecting our fair share of salt water spray on the journey, Clay found it necessary to rinse the boat which probably only removed the outer layer of caked-on salt accumulation. What fun it will be for him when he really has to detail all 43' of the vessel!

While Clay busied himself outside, I busied myself inside making weekend plans with friend Pam Guilander, mom of John's girlfriend Kristen, who has a home in Naples. Once plans were made for Sunday eve, I stoked up the gas grill and cooked burgers and grilled zucchini, both favorites of ours. We find ourselves in the waters beneath the flight pattern of Naples airport; we had no trouble sleeping although during daytime hours, it was a distraction.

Intent on seeing the sights of the area, we set out on our morning walk Sunday and covered about 1 1/4 hours of sightseeing on foot. Good exercise, too! Clay then connected with FIJI brother Tom McDonald and elected to join Tom with his friends Fran and Roger Koch for lunch; knowing lunch conversation would revolve around boating--the Kochs were Gold Loopers who were anticipating departure on a second Loop or part thereof--I opted to hang out at the marina pool (does that surpriseyou?), then dress for a trek to nearby Tin City, an advertised shopping mecca for tourists. Didn't buy anything, but sure had fun looking.

Clay returned to confirm dining conversation did revolve around boating--also around vintage cars fifth luncheon companion, a St. Louis friend to the group, was an avid vintage car collector. Good choice, Sal! Not that I don't enjoy meeting new folks, but the lure of a dip in the pool does have its strong points! With shopping, a bonus!

Pam Guilander and Sally

Pam arrived early eve for a boat tour followed by dinner at Bonefish Grill, a favorite of both ours and hers. Because she had been aboard, Clay had her sign the guestbook/log as he does all visitors, come-aboards, and passengers. I always LOVE it when the guest applauds my 'true grit' in writing. Thanks, Pam! I believe she called me a 'trooper' or maybe a 'saint.' I'm not elevated to that status yet, but as the adventure progresses it may not take too long!

Rounding Marco Island

Overnight stay at our current location is pricey, so we opted to depart Monday morning southbound toward Marathon, FL, via an overnight anchorage called Little Shark River. Short but sweet as the stay was in Naples, we truly enjoyed the Naples Boat Club Marina with its lovely heated pool, club and shower house, and convenient location.