Bradenton to Naples.....

Once we got back to Bradenton, we spent another 10 nights there to enjoy the area and visit with family and friends….plus we really liked the Twin Dolphins Marina! We were able to see Jenn Marsh perform at the Salt Shack in Tampa, with some other groupies……Pete and Kim Schmitz and my sister Renee and her husband Don showed up for a bit. Jenn always does such a great job and has such a beautiful voice! Renee and Don spent a couple of nights on the boat with us. We anchored just off of Coquina Beach on the southern part of Anna Maria Island. It was a beautiful spot and we dinghy’d to the beach for a walk. We spent a fun day with Pete and Kim and played pickleball and went for a kayak down the Frog River, which goes right by their campground. It was a beautiful kayak through moss filled trees and mangroves. We saw many turtles and turkey vultures and fortunately did not see any alligators….but heard they were in the river. We had a really fun dinner with other Loopers at Edelweiss Restaurant, which is an authentic German dining experience with entertainment…..felt like I was in Germany! We visited the Manatee Viewing Area at the Tampa Electric Company with Pete and Kim and other friends Doug and Trina. There must have been at least 100 manatees floating just outside of the electric plant where the water is warmer than in the gulf. It’s a very popular spot for visitors and doesn’t cost anything. We were all set to depart on Sunday the 15th when our starboard engine wouldn’t start. Fortunately all we needed was a new battery, so once we got that installed, we were on our way 2½ hours later. We anchored in Englewood for the night. On Monday we travelled 80 miles (a long day), and made it to the Naples City dock for the night. We drove by the Hurricane Ian devastated areas of Fort Myers, Sanibel Island, and Naples. It was very sad. Our timeshare in North Naples on Vanderbilt Beach sustained a lot of damage. We don’t even know when that will be open again. We have been to Naples several times, but it was a very cool feeling to experience it by boat! We then made our way to warm and sunny Marco Island. More on Marco in the next post. We plan to spend at least the next 6-8 weeks in Florida and the Keys, so won’t be traveling as much. Gee……I might feel like I’m on a vacation!

Jenn Marsh Groupies at the Salt Shack in Tampa

At Anchor at Coquina Beach, Anna Maria Island with Renee and Don

Dolphins love swimming in our big wake!

Look at their smiles......I think they like boating!

Dinner with fellow loopers Bill and Patti from Let Time Go Lightly. They crossed their wake in Sarasota in mid-November.

Dinner at Edelweiss Restaurant in Bradenton. A real German experience.

John enjoying a mug of real German beer.

Bradenton Beach.....its a great walking beach

Pool area at the marina....it was very nice!

The river by the power plant was full of these manatees

The viewing center also had a stingray pool

We would highly recommend a visit here if you are in the area.....its free and a great experience.

Dinner with Pete, Kim, Doug and Trina after seeing the manatees

Johns loving his new electric scooter

Pete and Kims campsite in Palmetto - 15 minutes from our marina

Kayaking on the Frog River - very pretty

Thanks to Pete for the great kayaking pictures!

Our trip south to Naples, we had to wait for 2 bridges to open

Driving by Fort Myers beach - looked like it was closed as we didn't see anyone walking on the beach

Vanderbilt beach and the Naples shoreline also got severely damaged by Ian.

The white building on the left is our timeshare. The palm trees and tiki huts are no longer there. We don't know when it will be open.

Leaving Naples City Dock

Beautiful Naples home along the waterway!