Punto Gorda, Cabbage Key, Sanibel & MANATEES!

On Sunday, we "Lifted" it into the actual town of Punta Gorda.  It was warm, but we walked around anyway.  Went to their Viet Nam Memorial which is modeled after the one on the National Mall and did some shopping - didn't buy anything and then found a great coffee shop! We "Lifted" back to a Publix grocery store, did some shopping then, Lifted back to the marina!  

When we got back, we walked to the pool and relaxed, then ate and drank some dinner!

Monday, we motored to Cabbage Key. On the way, we dropped the hook and went for a swim! 

Cabbage Key was originally developed in the early 1930's by the Rinehart family - purchased for $2000.

They built a 6,000-gallon water tower, which stills stands today and was built on one of the highest places in Southwest Florida.  It was 41 steps only, so we climbed it! The Inn and several cottages were first opened in 1944 by the Stults family. It is currently owned by the Wells family with a fabulous restaurant.

It is called Cabbage Key, because of the Cabbage Palms. In 2016 it was placed on the National Park Services National Register of Historic Places.

We saw our first Manatees; I keep wanting to call them Narwals.  Actually, Jan and I agree they looked like 10-foot baked potatoes.  And hard to get a picture of them. The island had many turtles and a great Heron named Henry!

Today we departed for North Captiva Island, home of Barnacles Beach Bar.  Access is limited due to water depth, so we dropped the hook in Pine Island Sound and floated the tender to the bar.  There we had great smash burgers and tiki drinks. Last time we were there, it was wilderness, now it is all built up.

When we returned to Cady Girl, we had a swim before resuming our trip to our destination of Sanibel Island.

More adventures on Sanibel tomorrow!

Cabbage Key restaurant and land
Manatees



Henry

Henry with the Dock Master
Restaurant with dollar bills
Sunset from the WaterTower
From the Water Tower




Beautiful beaches!
On our way









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