2/19/17: Ft. Myers Yacht Basin, Ft. Myers, Florida to Kitchell Key Anchorage = 12.3 NM

After a few weeks of weather watching today we finally threw off the dock lines. Calm wind predicted for the next week so we threw off the dock lines. We are headed out to the Gulf of Mexico and turning south.  We have two buddy boats for this trip, Kristin Noelle (Tricia & Hoppy), & Attitude Changes (Barb & Ross).

Our marina, Ft. Myers Yacht Basin (downtown Ft. Myers) is located on the Caloosahatchee River about 11 NM from the Intercostal Waterway. The Caloosahatchee River flows generally SW from its source in Lake Okeechobee and empties into San Carlos Bay at Punta Rassa.

The worst part of the entire trip to the ICW is the “Miserable Mile” located where the Caloosahatchee River Inlet meets the Intercostal Waterway. Named appropriately because the boaters have no regard for each other, you will experience boats throwing rocking wakes, passing & cutting between boaters, and near misses. Just be prepared and lock everything down.

We had a boat run right up behind us at high speed throwing a large wake while going through a bridge and almost hit us. 

We enjoyed a peaceful night on anchor just off Kitchell Key. Lights from the Sanibel Island Causeway Bridge are beautiful at night. We cooked out with our buddy boats and enjoyed our new upper deck seating area.