The first stop on our January cruise was at Boca Grande Marina where Cookin’ (Brent & Susan Cook), Nauti Buoy (Dave & Mary Ellen Mount), Karine (Bob & Sandy LaMontagne) O Sea D (Vern & Ann Graham), Hoosier Daddy (Dave & Jackie Cox with Guests, Andy & Linda Kelly), along with Mike and Cindy Brown by car all enjoyed a fun four-night stop.
Boca Grande suffered from Hurricane Ian in that a few of our normal haunts were either not open or no longer exist. The South Beach restaurant we always enjoyed was demolished but others were still in business so we enjoyed Scarpa’s, The Outlet at the Inlet, and the two restaurants at the marina.
The ladies enjoyed 4 days of playing Canasta while the men toured, ate, and repaired boats which is our normal past-time on these cruises.
After 3 days we bid farewell to the four friends aboard Hoosier Daddy who had to make an early departure.
Our next stop was at ‘Tween Waters Marina on Captiva for the 4 remaining boats. In contrast to Boca Grande, Captiva had much more hurricane damage with only one restaurant on the Island open for business, one food truck in a parking lot, and one pizza take-out joint.
For two of our four-night stay we enjoyed outstanding meals in Old Captiva House at the resort and one night at the food truck.
As bad as Captiva was, Sanibel was much, much worse. The four couples shared two four wheelers and went to see Sanibel. Whatever you have heard or read, Sanibel is worse off. It appears it could take years for it to return to normal and those people and businesses need all the prayers we can offer on their behalf.
As the 4 boats got ready to depart for home Nauti Buoy had an engine that would not start so Dave and Mary Ellen rode home on Karine and returned for the boat a week later after Cummins installed a new port engine starter. That’s boating!
Our next cruise is February 13th to Sarasota, St. Pete and Venice for 5 boaters, including two new members.
Brent
