We were fortunate to obtain dockage in Marco Island at the new Riverview Marina, located at the Marco Island Yacht Club. This was our last stop on the Gulf Coast before we headed to the Keys for the month of February. Marco was where Ron and I spent our honeymoon 36 years ago, so it was fun exploring the island and reminiscing about that trip. We had tentatively planned on docking in Everglades City but after looking at the charts, we decided it was probably best to stay in Marco and wait for a good weather window since we’d be traveling over 100 miles to the Keys on the Gulf side, not on the Intercoastal. So because we were curious and wanted to see what we missed, we took a car ride down to Everglades City.
Driving down the Tamiami Trail you see these gators all over on the side of the road. This guy joined us for lunch at the Picnic area in Everglades National Park, I guess he smelled our tuna fish sandwiches? The Tamiami Trail is the road that Baron Collier funded the building of. It goes from Tampa to Miami. When you see how marsh is on one side and the Gulf on the other, you realize that it was a pretty amazing to how that was constructed.We hiked a couple of different boardwalk trails in Everglades, we were taken with the Cypress, Mangroves, Palms and other vegetation unique to the area. No gators spotted here, only a snake. The Everglades National Park borders the Ten Thousand Islands, do you think there really are that many? Who counted? Anyway learned its big area of small islands made up mostly of mangrove trees. Mangroves live and grow in salt water and their roots can turn salt water into fresh water. They can grow as tall as 15 feet, their roots extend above the water, making it tough to walk on them but they serve as protection for young fish, the water surrounding the mangroves is a beautiful blue-green color and shallow. All that make it for great fishing.A Visit to Everglade City found us at the Rod and Gun Club, one of the potential docks we looked at reserving. The Looper boat in the background was a lovely 60 foot Prestige Yacht that somehow docked here despite seeing depts of less than 1 foot on his depth finder at one point coming in the channel to the dock. His advice to us–try coming in at high tide. I think we made the right decision to stay in Marco and visit by car! In addition, to the historic Rod and Gun Club where many celebrities and dignitaries came to vacation and fish back in the day, the city has an amazing museum filled with history of the city and the Everglades. Ron and I both grew up watching the television show “Gentle Ben”, its what we knew about the Everglades. Always thought of taking an airboat ride in the Everglades but when we actually saw them and heard how loud they are, we took a pass and went hiking instead! Guess we’re getting old(er)!Back on Marco Island we found the South Seas Club Condos where we spent our honeymoon 36 years ago. We walked Tiger Tale Beach and ate at the Snook Inn, their famous Grouper Sandwich and salad bar, still as good as I remembered. The place hasn’t changed much in all these years!So off we go from Marco Island to Marathon, 110 miles. I reviewed the route several times, made some edits to move us closer to shore due to predicted strong easterlies, and we prepped the boat much like we did for the big earlier crossing. It still got “sporty” out there but we stayed on plane for almost 5 hours at 22 mph, those 960 horses moving our 35,000 pound home across the gulf without a hitch. Was glad I had changed that other impeller.We have satellite weather forecasts on our chart plotter from Sirius XM. Here it shows the direction of the waves and period between waves, and when I tap the screen it shows forecasted wave height at that location, also indicated by the background color gradients. That is one more input into our weather decisions, we also consult 5 other weather forecasting tools for trips where we are exposed to open water.
We were out of sight of land again for a couple of hours, we had a following sea and building wind creating broadside waves, but it was manageable. Dodging the crab pot minefield was perhaps the hardest part, note how we were traveling into the sun, but having to spot hundreds of grapefruit-sized floats in the water attached to lines and metal crab or lobster cages. Passing under the 7-mile bridge took us from gulf waters to the Atlantic ocean.We tied up in our slip that we will have for all of February, and it turns out to be west facing and we see a “Key West” style sunset every night while sitting on the aft deck. Still waiting to see the “green flash” everyone talks about, more on that next time.
What a wonderful, fascinating adventure you are on!! Dr Glasow actually would recommend that you do the air boat thing sometime. Yes, they are loud, but they give you ear protectors which do an excellent job of suppressing the noise, while still allowing the “pilot” to communicate with you via a speaker. As you probably know, the airboats are not allowed in the Everglades themselves, but in the wilderness area north of Hwy 41, they can go virtually anywhere. Truly a “Gentle Ben” experience up there…. Enjoy the Keys, my friends – beautiful in their own right, and fascinating history. Can one take one’s own boat out to the Dry Tortugas? Never been there myself, but have wanted to, and maybe will think about when we’re down there in March…
We are happy to see you are having such a wonderful time! After reading this last posting, you won’t believe it but Diane and I also spent our honeymoon at South Seas Plantation coming up on 37 years ago (June ‘85)! Great to see the pictures.
Safe travels and thanks for sharing your adventure.
Reimanns 'round the loop in 2022 
Snooks Inn. One of my old favorites on Marco Island. Grouper is fantastic. Had a condo down there in the early 80’s.
– Michael Kronstedt | CMI | mikek@cmicorp.com | M: +1.651.341.4008
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Thanks for the update. What a wonderful time you’re having. Today it’s 10 out but will be climbing to 18. Enjoy every day.
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What a wonderful, fascinating adventure you are on!! Dr Glasow actually would recommend that you do the air boat thing sometime. Yes, they are loud, but they give you ear protectors which do an excellent job of suppressing the noise, while still allowing the “pilot” to communicate with you via a speaker. As you probably know, the airboats are not allowed in the Everglades themselves, but in the wilderness area north of Hwy 41, they can go virtually anywhere. Truly a “Gentle Ben” experience up there…. Enjoy the Keys, my friends – beautiful in their own right, and fascinating history. Can one take one’s own boat out to the Dry Tortugas? Never been there myself, but have wanted to, and maybe will think about when we’re down there in March…
-RG
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Hello Ron and Nancy from cold MN!
We are happy to see you are having such a wonderful time! After reading this last posting, you won’t believe it but Diane and I also spent our honeymoon at South Seas Plantation coming up on 37 years ago (June ‘85)! Great to see the pictures.
Safe travels and thanks for sharing your adventure.
Best,
Mike and Diane Chappuis
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