24 and 25 Nov

24 Nov 2010, 0700 depart Moore Haven, went through the locks and now into the Caloosahatchee River, ya I know I can’t pronoun it either.

Travelled past Fort Myers, as it would have been 60 miles from Fort Myers to Jim’s place, and we would not have made it for Thanksgiving dinner, didn’t want to miss that.

We tossed the anchor near a Tarpon Point Marina/Resort. There was quite a large cove just past the marina, and it had great holding, now that puts us only 44 miles to Jims place.

25 Nov 2010, 0700 pulled anchor and heading for Punta Gorda, and into the Gulf Coast intercoastal. As previously  planned we arrived a marker R76, made a right 90 degree turn bearing 72 degrees to the green5, where Jim will meet us and take us to our final destination. Scott was talking with Jim via the phone so all is set.

1100 hrs arrived at G5, no Jim, another call he is on his way. So we wait in Charlotte Hbr, not knowing in which direction to take.

About ½ later Jim and his neighbour arrived in a very fast boat, does 40  MPH, and after some brief  conversation we head out. We are travelling almost N up Charlotte Hbr., which is 20 miles in length. We do not make for Punta Gorda, on the Peace River, but we bear left and head towards Grove City(Myakka River), we have to go through a small lock and its dead low tide, will we be able to enter the lock through a very narrow channel??

As  we arrived at the channel markers, Jims scouts ahead, verifying the depths, barley 4 ft but the tide is rising, we take a chance and at idle speed we enter the channel, and make it to the lock, which is very small, barley fit the boat(see pic).

According to Jim this lock gives access to the internal waterway of South Gulf Coast residential area, with all its side canals for all the boaters., the lock was remotely controlled by Jim, I guess all the residents have a remote to open and close the lock; it can also be done manually

After passing the lock, we traveled quite some distance along these small canals until we finally arrived at  the location where the boat will stay. Jim had made arrangements with a lady who had some “free” wall space, and he had driven 4  large angle iron pieces in to the ground so we could tie up the boat, this of course is much appreciated by us.

Its now about 330 pm, and after getting the boat secured, we jump into Jim’s very fast boat and he takes us to his place. The only reason we could not dock in front of his place is that there is a fixed bridge, only 14 ft high, along the canal where he lives, hence the other area, but what the heck, its very nice secluded spot.

Arrived at Jim’s place in no time flat, met his Lovely and gracious lady Joy, who was busy preparing dinner…oh what a smell, can hardly wait

5pm, supper time with other invited guests, very casual, walked away with “turkey gut”,

What a feast. About 10 pm, its time to get back to the boat, Jim and Joy take one car, while Scott and I follow in Jim’s Dodge Ram truck, which he has giving us to use while we are here…man some people are soooooooo nice.

Winding and weaving through all the streets, and finally at the boat location, we will never find our way around here unless we have a guide or a good map, this is a very large residential area, I saw the plot plan that Jim had, its huge.