March 11th: Ft. Myers, FL to Captiva Island, FL

Saturday March 11th:

We departed Ft. Myers, Legacy Harbor at 8:40am and cruised the 30.3 miles to the Tween Waters Resorts on Captiva Island arriving at 12:15pm. This is the same resort we stopped at in the beginning of our trip. There was no dock staff to assist us the last time we stayed here and the dockmaster was apologetic had given us a coupon for a free night of dockage. We liked the resort and it was the right distance on our return so we decided to stay here again.

Going down the Caloosahatchee River from Ft. Myers we passed this strange anchored houseboat with mannequins all over it. Don't know what that was all about.

We arrived at the Tween Waters Resort early in the day so we had time to enjoy its amenities. We began with drinks and lunch at the poolside tiki bar.

Then it was time for a stroll on the beach.

Seahorse statue outside the resort lobby.

 We launched our dinghy and explored the channel and the bayou alongside the resort. We were looking for whatever wildlife we could find. When in the bayou we practiced our rowing skills using the oars on the dinghy. Then we motored back and took this picture of Red Pearl at the dock with the pelicans standing guard.

Red Pearl at Tween Waters Resort, Captiva Island, FL

 Wh then motored the dinghy on past the Red Pearl and explored the channel up the other direction. We encountered a group of manatees surfacing all around us. We turned off our motor and used our oars to stay among them and observe them for about a half-hour. This one came right up to the dinghy to check out Joan. She snapped this picture. She could have touched him (her?)

Close encounter with a manatee.

 Then we returned to Red Pearl, cleaned up for sunset on the beach followed by dinner at the resort's casual restaurant. The view out the restaurant window of the breezy sunset was beautiful. The shrimp and grits dish was wonderful. It was made with polenta instead of regular grits.

Full moon casting a silvery light over the channel next to Red Pearl.