Made a schedule change last night as to our destination for today. We were to go to Venice, Fl and stay at the Crow’s Nest. Weather is predicted to change and a storm is coming in tomorrow with high winds. Decided to go further and get safely tucked into Burnt Store Marina in Charlotte Harbor. We may be there until Tuesday when the weather improves.
Left the marina at 8:00 and it was already 62 degrees and sunny. Decided to stay in the intercoastal instead of going out into the Gulf. The intercoastal is a slower trip with swing and lift bridges and more traffic, but seemed the safer route to take in case the winds picked up.
It has been very scenic and we were entertained for quite some time by a pod of five dolphins. They seem so happy all of the time.
We passed through several areas we had heard of before. Among them Siesta Key, Venice, Cape Haze, Gaspiralla and Boca Grande. We are entering the area (Punta Gorda) where Hurricane Charley came ashore in 2004 and there is still evidence of some of the damage.
Lots of boat traffic today and they come in all shapes and sizes. The scenery has changed several times and at one point Andy called the intercoastal a trench. If was very narrow and shallow with only 2-5 feet under our keel some of the way, never more than ten. Hard to make very good time as much of the areas are “no wake” zones.
Pulled into Burnt Store Marina in Charlotte Harbor, Punta Gorda. Beautiful development of condos, marina, etc. Hope explore more tomorrow.
Thanks to Deb for the above photo of Good News leaving Bradenton/Twin Dolphins.
The Great Loop 
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