Day 2 Cruising home

Sunrise in Sarasota

 Left our anchorage close to Ringling Causeway Bridge in Sarasota at 6:50 and traveled about 12 miles down a windy and shoalie but beautiful ICW. Lots of osprey nests on the top of the channel markers. 
Birds all over the sandbars including several roseate spoonbills. 

At 9:15 we left the channel and entered into the Gulf through Venice inlet. We had 2 kayakers sucking up to our wake and paddling along. We had about a 5 hour cruise for 34 miles down the coast in calm waters.
At 2:00, we entered into Pine Island Sound off of Charlotte Harbor at Boca Grand Channel.
Anchored at 3:15 in the ICW between Useppa Island and Cabbage Key.  After anchoring, we decided to launch the dingy that sits up on top. Something we had not done yet and since it was early, thought it would be good practice. That went all well but as soon as we got away from our boat, well we started having motor problems. Both Captain Philips think it is the fuel line stopping the fuel. So, at some point, we need to find a store that carries that kind of stuff that is not too far from our anchorage in case we have to paddle. 

hmmm....
Today's travel miles and time: 55 mile, 9 1/2 hrs.   Total travel 86 miles

Blackburn Point swing bridge was tight!

 One of the kayakers taking advantage of our wake. His friend was on the other side.

 Guess we are TRAWLING...

It was a beautiful and calm day offshore. Not bad for our second time out on it. 

I even got to be Captain for a few minutes.

Sunset at our anchorage tonight