Englewood FL, Rent A Pontoon Soon

Little Blue Heron

Last Saturday was a beautiful day for a cruise on the Inter Coastal Waterway.  Seven friends, two cute little dogs, a couple of coolers and we were off on a four hour tour.  Starting at the marina and bait shop on Beach Road and 776 we headed south slipping under the first big bridge.

Definitely A Well Used Live Aboard

 This sloop had the look of a boat that had seen better days, had not been hauled out in several years.  Living on the sea is not as idyllic or romantic as it seems, it is certainly not a lifestyle that suites everyone.  I spent time on a live aboard in Honeymoon Bay, Water Islands, USVI in the 80's, but that is another story.

Lucy Dog

One of the two little doggies that enjoyed our day on the water, would have loved to have taken my boys Finn and Munch on the trip but 80 pound labs who refuse to stay in the boat would have put a damper on the day.

Silently Past

Power boats, sail boats, kayaks canoes and pontoons all shared the waterway, it was a brilliant, crystal morning where you could see a few feet in the naturally dark water.  We gently edged the channel markers looking for critters and were rewarded with dolphins, manatee, turtles and birds.

Pelicans High Above

We saw lots of dolphins and I worked hard to get a good shot but those guys are really illusive.  I was cruising with two professional photographers who sold their business and home and are now traveling around the US with their dog in a motorhome.  They rarely popped out a camera and when they did it was either a smart phone or a small digital, done toting around all that equipment they said.

In Placida we made a pit stop that turned into a cocktail and lunch, sweet little spot with easy landing and access.  Two features caught my attention the new Yellow Submarine Tour Sub and an old wreck of a trawler that recently made the paper with locals complaining it needed to be towed away.

                                                The Yellow Submarine

                                                                Oops

I have seen all manner of bridges in my lifetime and a few drawbridges, always spectacular and a wonder, it is especially nice to see them opening from the water.  We were treated to both a drawbridge and a turnstile opening for ships.



Turnstile

Drawbridge

Wonderful to get out and enjoy the vast Florida waterways full of diversity, smiling like minded strangers and best of all spending time with friends enjoying nature.

Three Amigos

Looking forward to the next trip, planning for a full day next outing.