March 26-27, Naples, FL

We went out Big Carlos Pass into the Gulf of Mexico and moved 20 miles south in three foot seas to Naples where we entered the Naples area at Gordon Pass and cruised by Port Royal to Naples Bay near downtown Naples. We are docked at the Naples City Dock and find it is within walking distance of several restaurants and the shops of 5th Ave.

Rick and Kathy have several friends from home who are in the area for March and one of the men, Gary Colett, met us at the marina and took us in his car on an extensive tour of the town. We joined Gary and his wife Tish and Doug and Tracy Blatt for dinner near the marina. Neat for us to meet Rick and Kathy's friends from home.


Next day we walk the town to explore some of the the local shops and find a very good farmers market with lots of offerings (great german pasteries) and find an art show in progress on 5th Avenue in Naples. Must be 100 or more vendors of origional art and some of art is pretty good. Several are offering photographs on canvas that look like paintings. In the afternoon we take everyone on KOKOMO II for a tour of the Naples waterway and see many large homes and boats, all in very pretty settings. Cruising guide says this area rivals Ft Lauderdale as a boating center, but this sailor says 'not close'.

Last night in Naples we go to the Bleu Provence. Best restaurant meal, so far.