(From Curt's log) Made it out to the ICW heading south and another the bridge entering the gulf we had 6 knots with minimum power from the engine. Then we went to 3.1 kts. Tides are a good thing as long as you are going with them. Set a course to go direct to the marker outside of Naples Inlet, Gordon Pass.
15:30-Arrived at Naples, got a mooring ball at the Naples City Dock Marina for $10.00/night in a nicely protected area, only one other person in the mooring ball field besides us. A little ways paddling in the dingy to the showers and shore.
Had a wonderful time walking several miles to the Historic Naples along the river and then to downtown Naples. By the time we got to downtown it was dark, lots of eateries, lots of Italian Rest., expensive, people dressed up pretty fancy and lots of retired people milling around after dinner. Streets were still decorated like Christmas lights or maybe that is how it always is. We were impressed with the main street. Decided to go back and get Pizza from the local shop, take to the boat for Pizza and Beer, another first for us on the boat. As we started leaving the downtown area we heard a big band orchestra start playing, hesitant to leave but hungry and tired we walked back to the boat at least a couple of miles or it seemed like it, thru town listening to the trumpet or saxophone sound out over the other music soon echoing thru the trees and houses by the time we got to the boat. Decided on half Napoli Supreme and Hawaiian from the little Sicilian Pizza shop. While Curt went snooping around in a nearby junk, souvenir, hardware store I sat out front the Pizza shop. A family came up to sit outside for their supper, offered them one of the chairs at my table and started to visit with them. They were from Chanhassen, Minn., the parents spend two months here every winter and the son and family came to visit. After talking with the son, found out that he just was at Crown University where Joe works. Said he goes there often. I told him to ask for the Chef Joe Smith and tell him his Mom says Hi! They laughed and said alias Joe Smith, so I explained his real name is Joe, Billy, Hank Smith informally, name after his grandfathers and a very honorable naming if I must say so myself. They were excited to hear about our adventure but our Pizza came and another Looper happened upon us and interrupted the conversation saying they were there for some time and have not met other loopers, were excited to meet us. We snuck out of the middle of the conversations when she and the other family started visiting, back to find our dingy in the dark and paddle back to our boat in the middle of the mooring field. A beautiful warm, comfortable night in the dark under the stars, sitting outside in the cockpit of the boat, listening to the big band music occasionally coming thru between the trees and houses with the majestic lights across the water from a restaurant that had now emptied.. We had our special Naples real Sicilian pizza and cold beer from the cooler with a little solar light to help us see what we were eating. Truly a special memorable evening.
Leaving Bimini Basin above, below an Island for sale, we agree with Rick this would be an awesome place for bar/restaurant, everywhere goes past this waterway to get up the river from the ICW. Cuban Rest. hint hint Billy and Judy! Nice boat with his sails up heading out with us. Below the bait boat was out waiting for business, nothing like taking your product to the consumer.
I think the birds were lined up watching us like people watch animals in a cage at the zoo. Wonder what else they do during their busy day for entertainment besides watching people go under the bridge.
Out in the Gulf ICW heading south, father out we get the more clear and turquoise the water gets, only 12 ft deep. Saw two sea turtles today pop their brown heads out of the water. From 20 ft., looked like their shell was at least 2 feet in diameter.
Farther away from land, bored, so tried taking pictures thru my polarized sunglasses for more color.
Meantime I wore the Captain out almost before noon and tucked him in for quiet peaceful nap. He works so hard :) (Finally a little peace and quiet for me) Newly made pillow where it was meant to be and splashing of the waves against the boat all alone in the big Gulf waters the Captain sleeps tonight or this afternoon.! First mate's job is tough sometimes, just like the Captain's job is tough to keep the first mate happy sometimes!
Another boat in the waters, someone to race, whoops he's going the opposite direction!
Going into Naples thru the long waterway, quite the houses along the water
Quite the traffic behind us, beside us and in front of us. This is Monday, don't these people work!
Professional charter fishing captains cleaning the catch while their employers waiting for them to clean the catch and divide between them.
Red Snapper
Grey Snapper
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