Day 3
Started early this morning, leaving our anchorage at Cayo Costa Island. We will travel down the 6 mile length of the island, which is mostly state park land left in its natural state. Unfortunately, the park sustained damage from a hurricane two years ago and the rebuilding is not quite complete.
As we travel south, the Intracoastal widens into Pine Island Sound and we pass Cabbage Key with its famous restaurant and Useppa Island with its old fishing lodge and private homes.
While under way we had the pleasure of traveling with 5 dolphins jumping and playing in the wake of our boat for at least 1 mile. Must have gotten in their morning exercise. The dolphins antics always make us smile.
As we head further south, Pine Island Sound turns east to follow the south end of Sanibel Island and Ft Myers Beach and its tall condos come into view. Continuing our travels east, we cross San Carlos Bay just north of the bridges that connect Sanibel to the mainland.
Along the way, we had 6 more dolphin swim with us almost the entire two miles across the bay. One swam upside down so we could see his belly!
We also had lots of small boat traffic!
Of historical interest, we past Punta Rassa. This point was used by the early Florida settlers, known as Crackers, to exchange the wild cattle they herded selling to the Spanish. The term Florida Crackers refers to the sound these cowboys made using their whips herding cattle.
Further up the river we cruise past the cities of Cape Coral and Fort Myers. The shores of the river are lined with homes and condominiums.
Four miles further upstream, the river narrows and you see the natural oxbows and bends.
We ended our journey today at Franklin Lock about 23 miles up the river. We locked through and tied up to the bollards outside the lock.
Our first attempt to tie up was less then successful and a few words were shared, but we persevered and got Crustacean secured for the night.
