We like to do Lunch by boat, instead of a car or bicycle or the old fashioned walking…gosh who even walks to lunch anymore?
I am sure there are those who DO walk to lunch, but here in SW Florida…we like to go by boat.
Because the Cape has over 400 miles of canals, almost everyone has a boat.
They either park the boat behind their home OR….
…..They keep their boat at one of the various Marinas around our little city.
It is so cool how the huge warehouses have berths or slots that resemble bunk beds…for boats!
Fork lifts are used to “stack” the boats clear to the ceiling in the Boat Warehouses.
It is amazing to watch how deftly these large machines maneuver those big boats in and around the inside of the buildings.
There are advantages to keeping one’s boat at the Marina rather than behind the house.
- The boat is protected from the elements by the Marina’s warehouse.
- A call ahead to the Marina and they will have your boat ready and in the water by the time you get there.
- When you return to the Marina, a crew will clean up your boat, wash it and place it back in it’s berth.
When out in the canals and even open water to the gulf…there are signs to protect the manatees.
Manatees are considered endangered and the big cumbersome, beautiful creatures move rather slowly in the canals and in the rivers.
After navigating the canals, and under the awesome bridges (there are four main bridges that span the huge Caloosahatchie River), the open water of the Gulf of Mexico beckons and with the wind in your hair, we are on our way to lunch.
It is amazing to watch the huge sailboats slipping silently through the waters, their giant white sales billowing in the wind.
So much to see, and one feels that all the beauty and splendor is for their eyes only.
Speeding across the blue/green water is nothing short of exhilarating.
Large grey dolphins surfaced as they raced the boat. Their bodies arched as they burst out of the water, leaping perfectly in the air.
What is not to like and emit a few giggles when seeing these beautiful animals?
The open water brings beautiful sights of little islands with rocky or sandy beaches and lots of mangroves…the “walking trees” as the Caloosahatchie Indians named them.
They are so named because of their many roots that search out and reach out to thee water’s edge. Almost like the trees are walking.
As we came nearer to the land masses again, the quaint seaside restaurant waiting just around the bend for boating customers is a welcome sight for hungry passengers.
The boat slows to obey the speed requirements and we marvel at the many shrimp boats docked in and around the bay.
After a quick wash up and hair tie up, we are sitting at a table watching the sea gulls and the pelicans search for their lunch too.
Lunch was delicious, perhaps due to hunger or due to the fresh air inhaled by our lungs on the trip over to the restaurant.
Perhaps a little of both.
I love shrimp! Fresh, grilled, blackened, fried, scampi…you name it. Shrimp is my favorite seafood while the Captain enjoys Grouper.
After soaking up the cool breezes and warm sunshine, it was time to go home.
As we left the restaurant on the water…the waves behind the boat lift and splash giving one the sense of contentment.
A perfect ending to a wonderful lunch on the water.
Sun, water, boats, good food and great company.
What a combination.
The hour long ride home was filled with contentment, awe and wonder
It never gets old living in this place we call paradise.
So much to see and do and yet….a peacefulness and tranquility if that is what you prefer.
Many days, the Captain and I enjoy lunch on our own lanai, feeling the same fullfillment.
Happiness my dear readers, is what we make it.
Have a great and wonderful day, and if you are ever down this way…
…..Let’s do lunch, driving by boat.
Well isn’t that delightful! You all had an exceptional day!
I love spontaneous outings Nancy…and there is nothing like the wind in my hair whether in a boat or car. I guess that is the kid in me. 🙂 Blessings to you always.
Kari, this looks fabulous. Are you near Cape Coral, is that where you reside? We were wondering the status of the waters there currently with the red tide/algaes. We’re hoping to plan a trip through the South sometime in Sept, obviously hurricane dependent, but were wondering about the beaches and water too.
Yes Rita. We live in Cape Coral.
The releases from Lake O…(Okeechobee) into the Caloosahatchie River have been awful this year. Some water goes to the East Coast, but most of the releases come to the West Coast. The Corp of Engineers release water to keep the dam structure from overflowing, etc and is usually routine. “They” say that the water has green/blue algae due to Hurricane Irma stirring up the lake. I don’t know if that is correct or if “Big Sugar” has anything to do with messing up our clean water. There are sugar cane fields all around the lake.
So the green algae combined with red tide, which is also a natural occurrence, has really messed up tourism. The horrible green algae comes with an awful smell because of dead fish which have washed up on some of the beaches near Fort Myers. Not all beaches are affected.
Old timers say wait and it will all go away…. but last week, the city started hauling away and cleaning up the dead fish which is helping a lot.
I don’t know what September will hold for us, but I have noticed the affected beaches getting “better” and the water beginning to “clear”. As far as eating the fish, the fishermen go out into the gulf away from the red tide/algae and it is fine out there.
The beaches here in the Cape and further north don’t seem to have as much of a problem as the beaches further south.
So that is it in a nutshell. Hope this helps.
Kari, what a beautiful story and I can vouch for the accuracy because I was there too. It was
an exceptional outing that will be indelibly etched in my mind for the friendship we all share,
the stories we told, and the wonderful ride with a very cooperative ocean with no rolling
waves. Can’t say it any better than you did, it was an exceptional, wonderful day.
Sounds like a perfect Monday and so beautifully shared.
Hi Ross….wish you could have been here!:) It is amazing how relaxed one can become when there are no pressing issues. I’m sure you know exactly what I am talking about, my friend. Come visit us and we will “boat around” ! 🙂