Time to Go

Legacy is thinning out. Most of the winter residents have either already left or are departing in the next week or so. In fact as I write this we are no longer at Legacy. We're on the move. But let's go back a few days.

Shortly before our friends on Coconuts were to depart I noticed a commotion behind their boat. I wondered what everyone was looking at so naturally I had to see for myself.

Bru tried to say it was his but Sandy quickly poo pooed that statement.

At any rate it wasn't too many days after that they pulled out.

Coconuts heading North.

We had a few more errands to run. More waxing to do and more dining to do before we could untie the lines. We celebrated birthdays. Experienced a couple of new (to us) restaurants and culminated things with Easter dinner at Bill & Mary's. The bill of fare? Cornish Hens of course!

Cocktails on the lanai.

One more view of Legacy from 22 floors up.

The birds.

And a stunning sunset.

In all there were 10 people for dinner. Of course we had plenty of delicious food to go around and the evening went off without a hitch. Thanks Bill & Mary for your generous hospitality.

The next couple of days allowed us to complete our provisioning and last minute details like store the car in one of those box storage facilities. How and when we'll pick it up we don't know at this time but that plan will come clear when it's supposed to.

Finally it was time to go. No more errands to run. Food to buy. Booze to buy. Etc. It's time!

Rich & Diane were the only snowbirds left to see us off. Thanks guys!

Since we didn't move Tourist much this winter we decided to make our first day a short one with our destination Ft. Myers Beach and the mooring field should any problems arise.

Once hooked up to the mooring ball we went in to the beach to pay and check things out. We ended up at the Cottage for a drink and a some fish tacos with a view of the beach.

The view from our table.

Thought we'd try a selfie as we walked up the beach.

We saw a lot of exposed skin on our beach visit. Some attractive. Some not.
Eventually we worked our way back to the dinghy dock and made our way across to Trico Shrimp to check out their selections of fresh seafood. We decided on fresh shrimp and a couple of nice tuna steaks. From there it was back to Tourist for the night.

Pam thinking about becoming a shrimper!

We didn't waste any time in getting to the shrimp. Yumm!

The next day we hit the open Gulf.

Just off the beach we were strafed by several parasailers.

A while later Tourist turned into Gordon Pass to take the inside route to Marco Island. As usual it was busy.

Just a few of the boats on the inside.

We decided to pull into one of our favorite anchorages at Hurricane Pass. Full of people.

As is normal the beach was busy during the day and abandoned by nightfall.

Our morning view before the crowds arrived.

In addition to the burger boat at the beach they now have an ice cream boat that comes out!

From the pass we continued into Marco where we topped off the fuel tanks before anchoring for the night in Smokehouse Bay. Pam needed half & half so we dropped the dink in the water and took advantage of the free dinghy dock at the local Winn-Dixie.

The Esplanade Marina and condo's in Smokehouse Bay.

Following a peaceful night we upped anchor and ventured out to the open waters of the Gulf where we made a left turn and set our course.

Passing by Marco Island.

 Being passed by the Key West Express.

Arriving in Key West.

Disney is here!

Tourist carried us past the cruise ship and into A&B Marina where we topped off the fuel tanks before going to our slip. The dockage is somewhat unique for our experiences in that there are no finger piers. You back in between the pilings with your stern tied to the floating dock. Boarding is then by the stern only. For us that means climbing through the dinghy.

A&B Marina.

One of our favorite spots in Key West is Blue Heaven Restaurant which requires a bit of a walk.

Duval Street.

Scenes from Blue Heaven

Don't be alarmed when you have a chicken trot over your toes at Blue Heaven.

Rick...there's a chicken on my foot!

Needless to say chicken isn't on the menu but everything else is good!

On our walk we passed this leather goods store. Much different than the Grant leather goods store back in Galena.

A couple of staples in Key West. Hogs Breath Saloon and the Conch Train.

A&B Marina. Tourist is behind the 2nd dark hulled boat from the left.

The view from our flybridge.

There is a fishing tournament in town so the testosterone is running high around the waterfront!