Irish Attitude's Adventures: Charlotte Harbor/Punta Gorda

Thursday, February 21 - Monday, March 4, 2013

Heading south down the ICW from Sarasota to Punta Gorda required a stop over along the way. Plans were made with Karma to pull out together. Venice would have been a nice stop but not far enough along the route. The ICW narrowed considerably in this area resembling a canal with steep banks. We saw a man along the bike path feeding birds right out of his hand.

View Of the ICW From the Stern

Long Docks Jut Out of Mangroves

A View From Every Room!

We pulled into Palm Island Marina near Cape Haze with Karma and found Paper Moon already docked. Marcia said it was funny to run into people they knew already as their loop just began! A water taxi ran visitors across the ICW to Don Pedro Island while a ferry moved cars over. Both were very busy. Mike and I had a wonderful dinner on site at Johnny Leverock's Seafood Restaurant.

Palm Island Marina

Humm? A Theme is Developing

The next day we passed Gasparilla Island (aka Boca Grande Island) and entered Charlotte Harbor. The island was named after the famous pirate, Jose Gaspar. It is rumored his treasure is still buried on the island! Captiva Island, to the south of the harbor inlet is where Jose kept the females he captured.

Charlotte Harbor

We Crossed Under the US 41 Twin Bridges

Laishley Marina is fairly new and located in the heart of Punta Gorda. Many Loopers opt to stay at Fisherman's Village nearby but we had already been there plus Laishley's prices were more reasonable. On the trip in, we made plans with our friends Sandy and Del to catch the sunset celebration that evening. Sandy explained that from this location viewers are treated to two sunsets each evening, hummm?

Sunsets - An Excuse to Party

1st Sunset...

2nd Sunset!

File this under 'It's a small world'; In the slip next to us was a couple from Caseville, Michigan, Bernie and Connie, aboard Distant Shores! Bernie said he would be meeting Frank, (the harbormaster from the Caseville Marina) for a drink at sunset.

Laishley Marina was Built after Hurricane Charlie Destroyed most of the Punta Gorda

Bathhouse, Laundry and TV Room, Nice!

What Happened to the Professor?

Murals around Punta Gorda give visitors a lesson in area history. Ponce de Leon 'discovered' the area. Henry Flagler developed Florida's east coast and built a railway to Key West.

Bike trips, some for fun and exercise others for parts and provisions help us become acquainted with the places we stop.

We had a great time in Punta Gorda with Sandy and Del. We revisited a couple old favorites and were introduced to many new ones. Twice, Del and Sandy prepared a fish dinner at their home. Mike said he discovered how much he enjoyed blackened seasoning and Del was anxious to try his hand at it. Excellent Job Del! We went to the Nav-A-Gator on the Peace River and I saw a man with a Alma College Bowling T-Shirt on. I discovered I worked with his daughter-in-law (Mandy H.) and I know his granddaughter too! We ran into Donna and John G. while exiting the Crab House by the marina. While visiting here we caught up with Bev and Rudy, Tom, Jack, Colleen and Shawn, and also Bill and Carly. This is truly Bay City South! We were also surprised to find out that Mundy and Michael from Done Dreamin' had pulled in when we were away from the marina one day. We chatted a bit but their daughter was visiting and we had a full schedule. Maybe we will see them next year as they plan to leave their boat at an area boatyard.