Marco Island marina – Exhale on the Water

We returned to SCYC, joining Tonto’s Reward to commence Part II of our Florida tour. A departure on June 6 at 7:00 am yielded a spectacular sunrise, for Dave Lubs. To our surprise, PC Gary Ralph left the dock before we did, a rare occurrence for that late riser.

Buttercup has settled in

In the salon we have fresh violets for Maureen, it reminds us of a certain small town hardware store during an anniversary trip to Canada. Thanks Craig and MO for the sweet memory!

First stop on the new route was Naples City Dock. Boater’s Tip – this location is a reasonable (doable) walking distance to downtown. Sending happy thoughts across the rainbow bridge for Mike Gillespie and Chris Occhino, good memories at Bleu Provence.

To our delight, PC Gary Ralph joined us in Naples!

PC Gary Ralph, David B, Gail B,
Buttercup (on the floor, hoping for crumbs)

Naples Yacht Club

We had an interesting dinner at the Club

Gail B, David B, PC Gary Ralph, Capt Rick, Mary S

Gail ordered the Veal Chop – Milanese (not a familiar cooking term for Gail or me). The dish was massive, to say the least.

We now know what “Milanese” style means … It’s made by bludgeoning the veal cutlet to an even, thin thickness (about ¼ inch), coating the heavily clobbered meat in flour, egg, and breadcrumbs, plus Parmesan cheese and herbs, then frying the pummeled carcass until cooked through. Gail usually orders her meat rare, so this was NOT what she expected. She had hoped for something more like this

Eating very little of the miserable mega milanese, she said the best part of the dish was the arugula salad, leaving LOTS of left overs for David.

Naples Sailing and Yacht Club

We had a lovely Sunday brunch at NSYC (highly recommended). Grandpa Rick said the yogurt with M&Ms is for Tyler. Ynot.

Marco Island Yacht Club

It was a beautiful run from Naples to Marco Island! With PC Gary Ralph in the lead boat, Knot Dreamin’ NP44 Sedan, Exhale second, and Tonto’s Reward taking up the third position. Gary had just reported, “It’s so smooth out here you do not need stabilizers or a SeaKeeper today!”

Wait, what’s that bobbing in the water nearby? The fin of some sort of large fish? Maybe an unmarked hazard to navigation?

Before answering that question, let’s step back in time, just a few short minutes, when Capt Rick found himself in shallow waters, with immediate results. Now then, I’m Feeling a little Jimmy Buffet Vibe – from “It’s Five O’clock Somewhere”. Go ahead, click to listen with me!!

Jimmy Buffett: “Alright, we just want to make sure you can keep it between the navigational beacons.”
Alan Jackson: “Between the buoys, I got it.”

Good advice boys.

Extending our thanks to the fishing family in the center console who pulled Exhale free from the sand bar, and who retrieved the floating object. So sorry I did not take any photos of the effort.

Are you still wondering, what exactly was that thing bobbing in the water?? Answer: Exhale’s sheared off stabilizer. Sigh. Oh, and thanks, Gary, hopefully you are right, we “don’t need [no stinkin’] stabilizer[s]”.

Running Aground – Good News, our experience was not as crazy as Past Commodore Greg Rocque – you might recall the slide show from the PC’s roast, even more insane – this boat on the rocks is a North Pacific :-) For real!

As we have said before, if you claim you have never run aground in Florida, the question is, “has your boat ever left the dock?”

Seriously though, it has been a long while since Capt. Rick decided to sand surf, or clean the barnacles from the keel. Good news, Exhale is still operable, we did not take on water, and we got off the sand bar before Tow Boat US arrived.

Although it was NOT 5 o’clock, yet, it was definitely time for a stiff rum drink – thanks David and Gail for the arrival/survival drink delivery!

Hey PC Gary Ralph, thanks again for joining us. It was a lovely evening in Marco. Look have smooth that water is.

Marco Island Bridge, view from the yacht club

Zoom in to see the Local Youth about to take a plunge!

We are happy to report that last night we got a free boat wash, we say, bring on the rain! Fill up Lake O, please.

FCYC Update: Marco Island Yacht Club marks club number 17 for Exhale and Tonto’s Reward.

Celebrating Milestones

Birthdays: June 2, Sue Gillespie; June 3, Lorrie Swink; June 9, my younger sister Frances Straley; June 10, bonus cousin Debra McDaniel McGhan; June 15, Heather Rutherford

Anniversary: BELATED congrats to the beautiful Carly and Brandon Maurer, celebrating 17 years :-), June 14, Paul and Celeste celebrating 51.

Next up:

We will anchor for one night at Cape Sable, and then head south towards the Keys. Welcome back, Caryl and Ray, we hope Sideways is on the water soon.

Feels like a Willy Wonka moment when you go backwards to go forward. Strike that. Reverse it. Or maybe it’s a Paula Abdul occasion “two steps forward and two steps back, because opposites attract.”

As Tyler Hendry would say, “ACTUALLY”, the decision to traverse south was driven by the US Army Corp of Engineers, as they intentionally drain Lake Okeechobee, eliminating the option to travel from our home port in Florida in a more direct, linear fashion – to go north.

Wondering how to pronounce Okeechobee? For Brenda – it sounds like one of your mom’s favorite songs – Okie from Muskogee – another classic for Tumbleweed! As one fan quipped on the YouTube website, “Today’s country music stars are not even qualified to shine this mans {Merle Haggard’s} boots”

HERE’S A LITTLE FLORIDA HISTORY: Why do they drain the lake? In 1928 the devastating Okeechobee Hurricane overflowed the lake and drowned 2,500 people! To date it was the WORST hurricane in Florida’s history.

Under the direction of President Herbert Hoover, the feds rapidly stepped in to make sure Lake Okeechobee never overflowed again. Completed in record time, prior to the Wall Street crash of 1929, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers built a huge earthen dike around Lake Okeechobee.

Herbert Clark Hoover (August 10, 1874–October 20, 1964), mining engineer, humanitarian, U.S. Secretary of Commerce, and 31st US President.

Now the Lake is drained, each year, in anticipation of the rainy, hurricane season. Seasonal drought in Florida plays a major role in the water levels, but, the annoying engineers are generally in control of the navigational depth.

Relevant boater data: There are two charted courses for boaters, the shortest path cuts across the lake, the second runs along the rim. In the past we have successfully taken both routes. As of April 29 the navigational depth of Route 1 was 5.26 feet; Route 2 was a mere 3.46 feet. The draft of Exhale is almost 5 feet – so that means our boat could dramatically run aground in the rocks. Not a good day.

When we can’t cross Lake O, we take the long way around, heading south from Fort Myers, along the west coast of Florida to eventually go north, along the eastern seaboard.

Fun facts: Lake Okeechobee is the largest lake in Florida (it covers over 450,000 square acres, or 730 square miles) Not so fun fact: Lake Okeechobee is the most polluted lake in Florida. Why? Agricultural runoff, fertilizer in particular, and urban stormwater, leading to algal blooms and high levels of phosphorus. When the lake is drained, the algae thrives in shallow, sun drenched waters.

is there any Good News? Sure – the Lake is home to over 9,300 thriving alligators, some estimates run as high as 30,000 gators in the peak season. Random fact: Herbert Hoover’s son (Allan Henry Hoover) had a gator as a pet.

Boater’s Tip: Check the depth before you go … Here’s the official website from US Army Corp of Engineers https://w3.saj.usace.army.mil/h2o/currentLL.shtml. The Navigational Depth changes daily! And, when the weather is rough, the trough of each wave is dangerously low.

Let’s Travel South!

St. Charles Yacht Club “SCYC”, Fort Myers Florida

Our first stop was maybe an hour in transit, to St. Charles Yacht Club. It’s a place where the lovely Miss Madi Mitchell, SCYC Food and Beverage Manager, delivers Rick’s favorite drink before he has sat down. Cheers to you Madi – best of luck as you finish your studies!

Hello Ray and Caryl – Thanks for joining us at our first stop! It is always a pleasure to spend time with both of you! Buttercup appreciates the attention.

Ray Houle aka Sideways, Caryl Moulder and Buttercup at SCYC

Marco Island Marina

The Marco Island club renovation is done! About those gators – here’s a clever boat name from that marina.

Cape Sable Anchorage

We love to anchor out, especially when there are no other boats around. Cape Sable is highly recommended for a star-filled night.

Safe Harbor Marathon

Boaters take your swim suits – the pool is Capt. Rick’s favorite! Shout out to Donna Wallace and Rebecca Hill who have been known to enjoy the refreshing walk-in bath.

Inspired by David Bernstein’s long walks, we hiked to the Marathon Yacht Club as a tribute to members George and Pat Hospodar. Dinner was fantastic – followed by a spectacular sunset.

This is for Tyler and Morgan.

Pilot House Marina, Key Largo

We will be in Key Largo for three days. The marina restaurant is good, the Happy Hour menu is popular! Don’t be fooled by the open stools, by the time we left the place was full.

It’s also a popular spot for fishing charters.

CELEBRATING MILESTONES:

Birthdays: Belated birthday April 26, Andre Walker; May 8, Danielle Ginsburg

Anniversary: May 7, Caryl and Ray

NEWSFLASH. NEWSFLASH. NEWSFLASH.

Morse Code test: . . . – – – . . .

USCG – Pon Pon, Pon Pon – Urgent Need for Assistance

Typically the blog ends after milestones – but THIS is a really important update from Soundings magazine.

The Coast Guard has proposed removing hundreds of buoys and navigational markers from the Northeast.

The proposal for Maine: over 150 buoys are to be removed or altered!

READ THE ARTICLE PUBLISHED IN SOUNDINGS HERE

PLEASE TAKE QUICK ACTION: Send an email to the Coast Guard today!

They will be accepting comments on the proposal until June 13. All comments must be made in writing. Refer to Project No. 01-25-015. Your E-mail must be sent to: D01-SMB-DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil.

To make it easy for our subscribers, here’s the email we sent, PLEASE feel free to cut and paste and resend:

to: D01-SMB-DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil

Subject: STOP PROJECT NO. 01-25-015.

Dear Madams and Sirs at the USCG.

We are avid boaters, and we need your help!

Don’t be fooled by “budget cutting” excuses. Removing the buoys and navigational markers costs manpower time and money you don’t need to spend!

It’s simple – buoys and navigational markers prevent collisions, grounding and human tragedy. They save lives.

It is true there are lots of apps out there that boaters use – BUT the red and green markers are the ultimate guide.

The Coast Guard has seven basic missions: Search and Rescue “SAR”, Aids to Navigation “ATON”, Ice Breaking and Ocean Science, Marine Inspection, Law Enforcement, Military Readiness, and the seventh, Semper Paratus-Always Ready for the next mission.

Follow your mission! Protect the mariners on our waterways today. The great Jimmy Buffet understood, and warned his boaters to “make sure to keep it between the navigational beacons”.

Now it’s up to you, USCG, to keep the beacons in place.

Sincerely,

M/V Exhale

Tag: Marco Island marina

“It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere”

Heading South to Go North