Cabbage Key

On the way back to Longboat Key, we stopped at Cabbage Key for dinner.  Cabbage Key is an island resort, that caters to fishermen and nature lovers.  It is only accessible by boat, but a ferry brings in a large lunch crowd.  At dinner it is just those who have rented a cabin, and those who come by private boat.  The restaurant at dinner is quite good, and we had a fabulous Tripletail dish.  We are now back at Longboat, and preparing to head home.  It has been a great trip.  Signing off for now.

The restaurant overlooks the lush landscape.

Alexis told me what this was, but I forgot...

The docks are not fancy, but adequate for an overnight stay.

Since it is an island, there is no water or garbage dump for boaters.

Not so subtle hint. 

Adieu South Seas

Well, all good things must come to an end.  We had a wonderful time at South Seas Resort, a truly great place for a family vacation.  Claib, Addie, Luke, Jude and Cameron departed for home today.  Cameron and I splurged and had breakfast at the resort restaurant before they left.   Cameron had waffles, french toast, eggs, bacon and sausage!  Addie and Claib came down with the stomach bug from hell, so did not have a great time.  Alexis and I tried to keep the kids occupied, which was not hard.  Also, the engine coolers were put back on after a good cleaning, and all is well in the engine room, for now.  It is eerily quiet with the kids gone, and we will head to Cabbage Key for the night, and then back to Longboat and home. 

Jude.

The ice cream parlor was a hit!

The shelling was fantastic.  Luke's bag of treasures.

The kid's pool was a popular hangout.

Cameron loved the beach and pool burgers!

Luke too!

The grounds are beautiful.

Pre bug

Motley bridge crew!

Jude at the helm.

Cleaned coolers.

We rented a cabana at the pool, and they watched TV!

South Seas 3

Cameron and I went fishing, and caught Ladyfish, Spanish Mackerel and trout!  A good day.  Claiborne and family have arrived, and we are off  to the pool.

South Seas part 2

Manatees in slip.

Cameron at the helm.

 

South Seas part 1

Well, Stan and Megan departed today for home.  Cameron stayed with us.  Claib and family arrive Tuesday.  This is a great place for a family vacation with several pools, miles of beach, ice cream parlor, pizza, games, golf, tennis, spa, restaurants, and its all on a plastic resort card-for free.....

Stan and Cameron go flying!

I held down the fort...

They survived.

Double rabbit ears.

The athletic Duvals.

After a shopping trip with Nana.

Stan and family

Stan, Megan and Cameron arrived at midnight after almost missing their connection in Atlanta.  We are at South Seas Resort on Captiva Island, Florida.  The weather has improved, although it rains a little each evening.  We are having a grand time, but Cameron goes through my Wi-Fi minutes quite fast!  Has to keep in constant touch with her buds..  The mechanic came today, and took all my heat exchangers off to clean them, and we should be good to go with new hoses next week.  All is well!

At the pool.

A shrimp po boy at the pool!!

At the beach.

On our way to dinner.

Birthday wine for the wino!

Alexis the grease monkey!

On our way to Captiva, the port engine overheated.  Naturally it happened during a squall, and about 15 minutes before a conference call I had scheduled for work issues.  A quick check of the engine room revealed water everywhere, a sign that we had a busted engine hose.  We quickly anchored (in the storm) and I attended to my call, which lasted over an hour.  Alexis, attended to the engine and discovered the  hose connecting the oil cooler to the intercooler had busted.  She managed to remove the hose, and found that Yanmar, in its wisdom, had used a hose with different inside diameters on each end!  Well, that meant none of our spare hoses would fit, as a hose with different size ends must be a Japanese thing.  She then taped the hose with rescue tape, a friction tape developed for wet applications, and we limped into South Seas.  I must say, she makes a great grease monkey, but her nails are split, and it is my fault....

The offending hose.  Note the different size clamps for each end.


 

We will call a Yanmar shop in Ft Myers and hopefully obtain a replacement hose for the trip home.  In the meanwhile, we are snug at South Seas Resort on Captiva Island.  Here are some pics pre disaster on the trip down:

Coasties on patrol.

This part of the ICW is full of no wake zones, which are strictly enforced.

There are many bridges on the Florida ICW, and this indicates the clearance.  Moondance requires a 19' clearance, and we made it under all but three bridges on the way south without requiring an opening.

Dolphins always cheer up the crew!