February 23 - March 1, 2012 . . . Sanibel to Naples to Key West

At Sanibel TERRMAR and SONATA were placed at the end of the fuel dock, bikes were off-loaded and we were off to see the town. In seeing the town Charlie and Mark secured some "husband's-chairs" while the girls went shopping; and, for the evening we all got together for dinner at Il Tesoro for a great Italian dinner.

While we enjoy the muffins supplied by the marina along with the morning newspaper, an egret has his breakfast right from the bait locker on the dock.

As SONATA pulls away from the dock TERRMAR remains. We separate now for SONATA goes on to Naples, Everglades City, Little Shark River, and Key West, while TERRMAR goes in the next week or so to storage near Fort Myers while Mark and Terri return to Canada before resuming the loop in the fall. It has been a great pleasure to travel with them since meeting up again at Lu-Lu's.


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SONATA entered Naples through the Gordon Pass and docked at the City Dock. Neal and Glenda joined us aboard and we went to church, dinner, and to their home, as well as a ride on their boat to tour their neighborhood . . . where we got caught in a thunderstorm and took shelter under a bridge.

Departing Naples we passed beautiful homes along the waterway then commenced the inside passage from Naples behind Marco Island to Coon Pass on the Gulf.

Shallow water . . . we touched bottom, plowed along . . . many times, passed the osprey nests, hotels and condos, and then finally got back into the Gulf on our way to Everglades City.

Dolphins danced and played alongside as we again traveled in the Gulf and on up the channel to Everglades City.

In Everglades City we docked at the Rod and Gun Club, bike toured the town, hardware store, ice cream, and a local museum.

Underway for Little Shark River we pass an air-boat used for local tours; then a few hours later into the river and our anchorage.

A sunrise departure with calm seas that built during the day and calmed again as we neared Key West some eight hours later.

Passing Mallory Square and downtown Key West on our way to SONATA's berth, A13, in Key West Bight.

February 8 - 21, 2012 . . . St. Petersburg to Sanibel, Florida

SONATA alongside the City Dock at St. Petersburg . . . ready to get underway for points south.

Departing St. Petersburg we see the sailors and a sail boat race in Tampa Bay.

A white pelican alongside SONATA . . . resting.

Sarasota is just around the bend and once all secured we have the City Park behind us toward the Gulf in sunset and the steeple of the First Baptist Church on our bow. Sunday they had a very fine traditional service which we much enjoyed. We have enjoyed similar traditional services at the First Presbyterian Church in St. Petersburg, and the First Baptist Church in Venice, our next stop.

In Venice we stayed at the Fisherman's Wharf Marina . . . which is really not open . . . in that there has been an 8 year battle between the owners and the local persons living in "double-wides" on the nearby bank . . . they claim that boats in the marina will "block their view". Their view is of a condo across the waterway.....

Our first bridge on the 20th as we continue south where we pass a fisherman, a couple of fishermen if you count the heron waiting for a snack.

On the way to Boca Grande we were blessed with a visit from the dolphins. They splashed alongside, jumped out of the water, rolled over on their sides and backs to look up at us . . . just appeared to have a delightful time swimming alongside SONATA.

In the marina we moored stern-to and got ready to tour.

We secured our golf cart and proceeded down the old railroad bed to see the south end of the island.

At the South end of the island we stopped for pictures; Charlie and Bonnie, and our TERRMAR IV travel companions, Mark and Terri.

From the beach to down-town we passed Banyan street and the beautiful trees there.

The Gasparilla Inn & Club was built in 1913 when the island was in the phosphate industry and over the years has been visited by many persons including Thomas Edison, Henry Ford and George H.W. Bush.

After a stormy night, winds from the NNE 20-25, we depart Boca Grande for Pelican Bay . . . a three mile trip, where we see wildlife in the bay, run the dingy, walk the shell covered beach, and take a picture of SONATA at anchor.

Salute to Dee Dee and David . . . our toes.

January 25, 2012 - February 8, 2012 . . . Clearwater, Florida to St. Petersburg

Lunch with Terri and Mark on Clearwater Beach.

SONATA at Clearwater with TERRMAR alongside.

Underway from Clearwater on the way to St. Petersburg, down the Intercoastal Waterway, under the bridges, pretty houses and golf courses along the waterway, dolphins playing in SONATA's bow and . . .

SONATA arrives at the Municipal Docks where Jane, long time friend of Bonnie's, and her husband, John, join us aboard for dinner.