Deja Vu

Moving south along the West Coast of Florida, like bookends we explored Clearwater to the north and Cabbage Key to the south. In between was filled with reminiscing about our journey back in 2016.

But first Clearwater.

One of the best parts of our travels is meeting up with family and friends who make the effort to meet up with us. Keith’s sister and BIL live in nearby Bradenton and joined us for lunch at Frenchy’s Saltwater Cafe and a quick visit to the boat. It is always a blessing to spend time with them.

Anytime we are in a populated area, it is a treat for the crew to visit a hair salon for a wash and blow-dry and some recon on local knowledge. Shout out to Salon South Beach, conveniently located across the street from where we were docked at the Clearwater Beach Yacht Club.

Not only did they freshen me up, they also steered us to their favorite spot for a sunset at Opal Sands hotel. Clearwater Beach is a very congested beach area, and this hotel is situated away from the hustle and bustle. We met a lovely local couple who reinforced the ‘where the locals go’.

Our short cruise south to Sarasota was filled with slow wake zones…

expressive waterfront homes…

and nests filled with Osprey and their young.

Friends from our years living in Mexico City are now located in St. Petersburg and met us in Sarasota. What a treat to catch up with each others lives after all of these years. Although Stacie and Kevin even visited us at our home in Texas shortly after we left Mexico! So much fun!

Other highlights of Sarasota were two visits to Whole Foods and another lovely visit from Keith’s sister.

Back in 2016 the Captain and I chartered a Grand Banks for a little cruise south to see if this whole loop thing was a good idea. You can read all about it on my blog, Traveling Simile.

So, because of the deja vu, this time around we mainly recalled stories from that amazing trip, while currently in awe of actually living the Captains bucket list dream.

Another dream of a “cheeseburger in paradise” got the better of our curiosity and we cruised beyond our previous journey south to Cabbage Key.

An idyllic island with historical significance dating back to 100 BC and currently maintained by the Wells family since 1936.

Red-striped sheepshead fish feed off of a mama manatee as her younguns fight for attention while we dock at the boathouse.

An ancient tortoise roams the sandy hill in front of the restaurant and the resident egret watches closely.

Stepping off of the boat onto the pier we were met with a huge welcome to this laid back paradise. Supposedly, Jimmy Buffett was feeling the same after a day of fishing, a cheeseburger and cold beer, a turn at the piano, inspiring his infamous song about becoming a sandwich.

While dining in a room wrapped in dollar bills, a group of teenage girls walk in to attach their bill in the same area they have been placing a $ bill each year. It’s that kind of place. Filled with repeat customers.

Nature trails on the island still show signs of Hurricane Ida, but still passable, where the solitude is only interrupted by a commotion high in a palm tree. The Captain looks and questions, “monkeys?”

In answer, three raccoons race down chasing each other round and round to the ground…

and challenged us to a stare down.

Only accessible by water or air, the island is simple and no fuss. The boat house has a basic shower and toilets but sharing is encouraged.

From here we head to Ft. Meyers where we will enter the Caloosahatchee River and cruise east across Florida to Lake Okeechobee.

But for now we soak in the beauty of paradise, pure and simple.

Thanks for following along.

~ The Crew