On Thursday, March 10th, six eager MBYC boaters (Cookin, Ruffin It Again, A Blast, Regal Time, Gotta Luvit and Rip Rapp) made their way to R2 at Capri Pass to begin making way towards Useppa, the first destination in their eight day cruise event.   To follow a short time later in Group B were Odiekanobi, Denise’s Hope, Sea Crop and Che Jac.  Therapy III and Nauti Bouy, planning to join the group in Useppa, had gone to Captiva the night before.  The final boat, Sachmo (Judy, Larry and Bob Boland), had elected to remain in Marco and join us in Useppa  the next day on Friday, March 11th.  Initially, the day started out calm and sunny, but unfortunately by the time we reached Gordans Pass in Naples, the sky became dark and stormy.   We had anticipated some rain, but as the storm approached we decided to seek SAFE HARBOR in Naples.  Brad and Charmaine Smith, Ruffin It Again, suggested that we go to Hamliton Harbor as their guests.  There we had a wonderful lunch….communicated with the Browns/Mounts regarding the weather in Captiva….then ventured out to finish our journey northward after the nasty squall had passed. 
Once at Useppa Marina, our  unique captains’ docking skills were again tested by everyone at the gusty entrance and tie-up in sunny but chilly Useppa Island.  There we met Lucille and Dan Dotterweich and their friends, Bob and Brenda Autry, who joined us for docktails inside the Useppa Marina’s casual dinning facility.   The next day the group took a water shuttle from Useppa to Cabbage Key Island to enjoy the fresh fish and cheeseburgers in paradise!  Once back at the main island, that night we all enjoyed a scrupscious buffet of blackened mahi mahi with mango salsa and pinia coloda chicken at the historical Barron Collier Inn.  Everyone agreed that the tropical atmosphere and graciousness of the marina/staff at Useppa Island made it a great destination for future boating events.
On Saturday, March 12th, our little fleet took off to Marina Jacks in Sarasota.  After we were docked, the marina staff brought out the grill and cooked delicious hamburgers and hot dogs on the dock for everyone.  Later that evening we had our own docktails and were joined by the Hennings, Herndons and Gelfands, who had arrived earlier by land yachts.  On Sunday the Barters, Joe Herrin with his granddaughter and  her friend, the Hamlins and other MBYC guests made a group of 40 attending the Golden Apple dinner theater musical, Avenue Q.   Finally, on Monday everyone shopped, ate, played games and just relaxed enjoying the many things Sarasota had to offer.
Tuesday morning dawned and we all were on the water again.  Rip Rapp, Odiekanobi, Denise’s Hope, Regal Time, Sachmo, Sea Crop and Che Jac had to return early to Marco.   Therapy III with Nauti Bouy stopped off in Venice for an extended stay.  Cookin, Gotta Luvit, A Blast, and Ruufin It Again continued on to Cape Harbour.  They traveled through the ICW to Venice Inlet entering the Gulf and then reentered the ICW at Boca Grande Channel.  Passing into Cape Harbour marina required entry through a water control lock one at a time, which proved to be simple but time consuming.  Dinner was at Rum Runners where they were joined by Frank and Mary Bayley along with Luther and Jackie Hays.  The last day was spent exploring the local area by foot and/or bike with a final meal again at Rum Runners.   The next morning Cookin led the last four boats home to Marco.  We all learned a lot from our boating friends, had a great deal of fun off and on the water, but most of all built friendships from good times together.