Friday January 16th

Cruising along this section of the gulf coast has been a study in contrasts--that's for sure!  Left Monday heading back out into the gulf--south along Estero Island where the famous Fort Myers Beaches are--wow!   Snow white sand for miles and miles--lots of people strolling along.  From the Gulf we took Gordon Pass to get into Naples---canals with

million+ $ homes everywhere!!!

We left Naples traveling on the old ICW-which allows smaller boats like ours to travel inland.   Now we were in Mangrove swamps with, thankfully,  well marked buoyed channels.  Saw lots of these guys

--they build their nests on anything even this red marker.  Quite a feat--right!!  We anchored out just off  the channel--not a soul around.  In the morning we could make out the manatee swirling to the surface as they made their way up the river.  Thursday afternoon we arrived at Marco Island--again lovely beaches and not a soul on them!!   We began to wonder if they knew something we didn't!!!!

The shrimp business is booming--we were told they go out for 30 days at a time into the gulf  as far down to the end of the Keys.  We went to the local shrimp market and had a great dinner back on the boat.   Today we are heading out towards Everglade City.  Will update later