Our Boating Adventure

Still several days ahead of Hurricane Ike, yesterday seemed a most opportune time to enjoy a day of boating on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico waters. Although an avid and experienced biker, I'm quite the novice at boating. Rather than purchase a boat, my wife and I decided joining Freedom Boat Club a better option. By paying a small membership fee and monthly dues, we may enjoy the pleasures of boating without the hassles of boat dockage, insurance and maintenance.

Off to a late start, we departed from Salty Sam's Marina on the bay side of Fort Myers Beach in a newer 21' Hurricane deck boat aptly named "Take a Break". Loaded to near capacity with my wife, seventeen year old daughter, four of her friends, and myself, we patiently navigated the lengthy channel connecting the marina to the Gulf of Mexico, all of which a no wake zone. We cruised under the Matanzas Pass Bridge, around the tip of Bowditch Point and into the open gulf. How exhilarating when finally we opened the throttle and put the boat on plane. We cruised into the mouth of the Caloosahatchee River, looped under the Cape Coral Bridge and headed toward Pine Island. We navigated another narrow channel with boats docked on either side and docked our own boat for a quick lunch at Woody's, a fun, quaint fishing bar with a tasty menu.

After lunch, we rounded the southern tip of Sanibel Island and headed back toward Fort Myers Beach. Evidently, we found some shallow water, bottomed out and stalled the boat but after a quick inspection, all was well. We anchored off the beach by the Lanai Kai Island Resort, allowing the kids an opportunity to cannonball of the stern of the boat for a quick swim in the warm gulf water. Being a responsible captain, I chose to remain aboard to monitor the water for sharks. With the kids back on board, we headed toward the long channel back to the marina. Sun burned and weather beaten, we returned safely to the marina, docked the boat, and enjoyed some refreshing beverages at Parrot Key Caribbean Grill.