After lunch, we made the run to Venice and tied up to the town dock at Higel Park.  There is a very nice ramp with space to stow your rig – limit 18 hours for the rig and for use of the dock.

Early the next morning we ran up to Tampa Bay arriving by 11:00.  Once we saw the traffic and planes towing banners, we decided – not for us.  We turned around and headed south and were in Longbeach next to Longboat Pass for lunch.  A police boat came over while we were having lunch and asked if we knew the fellow up the street who had a boat like ours.  He told us where to find the boat.  After lunch, we decided to look the owner up.  The boat did not have a name but it was registered in NC and had the name Dooley on the trailer.

It was a warm windless afternoon.  We decided to run south to Venice outside.  The autopilot steered us to a point just off the Venice inlet.  The day was Monday, February 18^th – Presidents Day.  Inside the inlet was a zoo.  If I hadn’t needed both hands to play dodgem, I would have a picture to show you.  We made for a quiet anchorage surrounded by homes in shallow Donna Bay.

Next morning we continued south inside.  We poked out Stump Pass before anchoring between Manasota Key and Peterson Island for lunch.  Water skiers spoiled this beautiful spot.

We ended the night in Pelican Bay.  If we visit this area again from Marathon, we probably won’t go north of Boca Grande.  Even though the weather promised to be ideal for three or four days, we decided to lay a fast course for home.  Children and grandchildren are coming to visit.  We stopped again at the Naples Sailing and Yacht Club and enjoyed dinner with the folks we mentioned in the Naples section.

From Naples, we went inside to Marco took on fuel and made for the Little Shark River.  Along the way, we had delightful stops in the Ten Thousand Islands.  Picnic Key stands out for its white beach.  The wind was still calm when we anchored up the Little Shark River.  Our final morning was windless at dawn.