Take a look at the photo on the left. This is the sight that greets us after a quick nap, following an otherwise sleepless night. The motor yacht we mentioned in the previous post is still holding on, clinging to that single, precarious line wrapped around the channel marker. But now, the current and wind have shifted, pushing it so that it’s pointing directly at us—straight down the barrel. The sight of the yacht looming closer, seemingly ready to drift into us at any moment, is the final push we need to make a move. Time to act. Without hesitation, we jump into action, preparing Koko to leave her slip and set off into safer waters.
We back out of the slip with ease, our slip neighbors lending a hand to guide us out. In no time, we make the few yards over to the fuel dock. There, we top off Koko’s tank and fill our spare canister—better to be prepared than sorry. With everything ready, we set off straight into the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW). Heading outside to the Gulf isn’t an option today, as the swell churned up by last night’s storm is still unruly and, worse, a strong wind is right on our nose. A bumpy, uncomfortable ride? No, thank you. The ICW will do just fine.
The first two bridges come up quickly, only ten minutes apart, and we time them just right. No long waits here. After those, most of the remaining bridges on this stretch operate on demand, opening as soon as we request.
It’s smooth sailing, and right past Venice, the ICW transforms into something truly picturesque. The channel meanders gracefully through residential areas, brushes alongside a lovely bike and hiking trail, and winds its way through mangrove-covered passages. Every now and then, a sandy beach peeks out, adding to the charm. It’s a peaceful, scenic ride that we find ourselves thoroughly enjoying.
As we pass by one of the potential bailout anchorages we’d scouted, we take a moment to reflect. Fortunately, the weather holds steady, and the forecasts remain in our favor, allowing us to push onward to our desired anchorage—Pelican Bay, near Boca Grande. Cruisers rave about this spot in the online forums, calling it one of the most beautiful places to drop anchor, and as we approach, we realize they’re absolutely right.
Getting in, though, is no walk in the park. The entrance is tricky, requiring a sharp eye on the charts and careful water reading. The depths shrink alarmingly, at times leaving just one or two feet between our keel and the seabed. But patience and focus pay off, and the reward is nothing short of spectacular. Pelican Bay is a serene little haven tucked into vast mangroves. It’s blissfully quiet, with only a handful of boats sharing the anchorage. There’s ample swing room, making it feel as though we’ve discovered a secluded slice of paradise.
It seems we’ve taken the lessons from our first night anchoring escapades to heart—this time, the anchor sets perfectly on the very first attempt. As if on cue, the sun begins its descent, painting the sky in warm hues and treating us to a stunning sunset. We savor the moment, soaking in the peaceful surroundings, and as the stars twinkle into view, the evening feels nothing short of magical. It’s only the chill creeping in that finally drives us below decks, where we curl up in the berth, content and grateful.