Saturday, January 21 - Headed for Marco Island, stopped at Naples

It was much easier to get OFF the mooring ball than it was to tie ON!  We stopped at Salty Sam's Marina on our way out of the bay.  It was humming!  Fishing charters, boat rentals, lots of activity.  And Danny's favorite activity - filling the gas tank!

Our journey took us "outside" into the Gulf of Mexico.  The view of the island was amazing - condo after condo after condo!

About 20 minutes into the trip, we heard a Coast Guard  advisory on the VHF radio - small craft warning, winds 25+ mph, 14 foot waves.  Worsening today and even worse tomorrow.  We are a small craft, and we heed warnings, so we turned in to Naples rather than proceeding to Marco Island.

As we turned into Naples Bay, there were boats everywhere!  It's the week-end, high season, bright sunshine, and everybody is out on boats!

We also passed beautiful houses, and lots of construction.  Danny said the building bust must surely be over.

We pulled into Naples City Dock to pump out before  pulling in to our slip.  When Danny cranked up to move to the slip, the port engine wouldn't stay cranked.  A Tow Boat US boat was getting gas and Danny went to ask them if they could tow us to the slip.  With one engine, no thrusters and the stiff wind, it would be impossible for us to make it.  When Danny told them he thought the problem was the fuel filter, one of the guys offered to come aboard and check it.  His friend came, too, and between the three of them they got it running!  They offered to help us get into the slip, and even unloaded our bicycles (the finger piers were too short for us to use our "normal" system).  Danny tipped them nicely!  Now if they will just come back when we are ready to load the bikes again!

This is a city boat dock, not a marina.  There are many charter fishing boats which provide entertainment, like this 80 pound fish.

It does have restrooms and showers just across the dock from us,

washers and a dryer with a great view,

a Take One, Leave One "library,"

free coffee,

 and a boaters' lounge where people wait for the charter boats to come in.

The view out front is pretty nice.  "I think I'm gonna like it here."