Gemini Loop: Captiva Island to Venice

Captiva Island was beautiful! The marina is part of a resort complex with condo-type rooms and cute little cottages. There is a pool with a bar and sandwich hut where we spent a pleasant afternoon. The beach is very close by and fabulous...with cushy lounge chairs and front row seats for the sunsets over the Gulf. There are several good restaurants right on the property.

The wildlife seems very accustomed to people being around. The herons, egrets and pelicans barely budge when you go by them. Our stay at Captiva was relaxing and fun!

Yesterday we headed for Naples, FL. We crossed a stretch of "big water" that was calm and beautiful. Along the way we saw lots of high-rises, probably condos. To get to Naples, you take a narrow pass that goes inland a bit. The way is surrounded by huge houses, gorgeous landscaping and canals full of big boats. Since it was a beautiful Sunday afternoon, there were LOTS of boaters out.

We are just across the dock from The Cooper! It looks good with the gold looper flag! (They have finished their loop.) Rusty and Betty live here in Naples. Betty was under the weather, but Rusty took us to an amazing French restaurant for dinner and then drove us to the fun spots around town. We went back to the boat for dessert (Betty sent a home-made key lime pie. YUM!)

The Harwells left us this morning. They will pick up their car in Sarasota and head back to family and pup. We really enjoyed having them with us. Rusty and Betty are picking us up this morning to show us some more sights and run errands. We will miss our friends, so we are glad to have our other friends with us now!