We left Marco Island and went out through Big Marco River as we make our way south. As we left the Marina the red buoys were on our right; we go under the bridge and immediately make a turn to the right because there is a red buoy and it must now be on our left! I really do enjoy the challenges of boating here in Florida. It is not just get on the boat, start the engines, set auto and go!

We called Boat US and asked about going this way as we had been told that we should be able to make it with a 3.5 draft, but ask the guys who will tow you if you can’t. Boat US is great. They told us which markers to hug and that the depth would be great. He asked if we had checked the tides, Kelley had, he agreed with Kelley’s information and bid us a safe journey.

Cruising on the ICW is so enjoyable. I love the narrow passages. I really am sorry that I didn’t take pictures. I was so caught up in the ride I forgot that I wanted to share it with you.

We are awed by all of the wildlife. If there is room for a nest, an osprey couple has built a nest. Pelicans sit on posts or on branches waiting to swoop for their food. We look at islands and sometimes think that the trees and bushes have beautiful white flowers on them only to realize that the white flowers are the heads of birds. Hundreds of them….

Once we reached the Gulf the journey honestly became tedious. We just bobbed along. I love our stabilizers, although we didn’t really need them until the afternoon when the wind picked up. Finally we were at the entrance to Little Shark River, which is part of Everglades National Park.

Now, we were warned. And especially as it was dusk….Bill had said that we should be prepared for bugs; the cruise books write about the bugs; Captain Bob says to bring a shotgun for the mosquitoes. We even knew about the No see’ums. We were armed. We sprayed on our Off; I reinforced with 100% Deet. But….