We celebrated New Year's Eve with Esther by going to the movies. On New Year's Day, Doug & I went to Ponce de Leon Park to revisit the spot where last year on New Years our Godson, Paul had proposed to Jess, with us as witnesses & photographers. A year ago, it was a bit cloudy & today it was sunny, so we took pics for them. Another day, we drove to visit my brother Tom & sis-in-law Rita in Cape Coral and saw their new house they are renting.
One of my High School friends lives nearby in Punta Gorda and we had arranged to go to lunch after New Years. When Karlyn arrived, she had a surprise with her: another HS friend: Beth Ann. We had a really nice lunch together.
The next day was calm & sunny as we cruised south into the Gulf of Mexico to Naples. We picked up a mooring ball which the City Marina manages. We stayed in the south field adjacent to the Naples Yacht Club. I think it's the best deal available in Naples: $15.00/night. We walked around Old Historic Naples & dined with friends, Jerry & Phyllis at a great restaurant, Hob Nob.
Our next stop was Marco Island Marina Association. While we were there, we met up with friends, Diane & Doug who took us to dinner at the Little Bar in Goodland.
Continuing south, we cruised back out into the Gulf & about 4 hours in, we began seeing the dreaded Crab Pots as we got closer to the Everglades. We anchored in one of our favorite spots in The Little Shark River. Dolphins & Manatees welcomed us. The stars are amazing there, along with the sounds of nature. Noseeums were out in full force & biting but I don't react anymore at all & Doug only ended up with a few bumps-we are becoming immune-yahoo!
