What a difference a day makes. Awoke this morning to tents going up for a food festival at the marina but the smoke in the area was not from food but the fires raging not far away in the everglades, sparked by dry conditions. The fires have closed the major East/West route called “Alligator Alley,” which was the route home tonight. 
Today began by sending off the Duval’s on the next leg of their journey to a state park to anchor out overnight. As they left the America’s WETLAND Flag was flying as a signal to all to save this precious resource. 
Out into the channel, we could tell that the seas were not as hungry today by the small recreational boats heading out into the Gulf of Mexico. This section of the Florida coast is dotted with beautiful white sand beaches, where the rumor is great shelling occurs. This day is a short passage for the Storm Rider heading to Ft. Myers Beach and the Salty Sam’s Marina for the week that hopefully includes completing corrections on the boat’s electronics. 
En route the waters were filled with sailors and regattas taking advantage of favorable winds. 
Several crossed our paths, which meant coming to a halt, as boats under sail have the right of way. This coastline has some nice quiet beaches but looking toward Naples, you can see that sky scrapers are dotting the landscape bring some closer to heaven quicker than necessary.
This is a 30 mile run before reaching Ft. Myers and an appointment with a news reporter, Keri Hendry from the local Island Sand Newspaper, who is interested in learning more about Louisiana’s coastal land loss and our Storm Rider Tour messages about sustainability of the region that is so often hammered by storms. 
This is the end of the line for the two puppy sailors, who need to head back before the Gulf crossing. 
A few new crew members from St. Louis join next week on the leg from Ft. Myers to St. Pete. The days at sea and particularly the rocky waters yesterday took a toll on the Storm Warning decals on the boat, so replacements will be on the way.
Kids were jumping from the bridges welcoming us and, as luck would have it after rough cruising, we were followed in after this day at sea by pirates, who just happen to make this dock their Ft. Myers beach hideaway.
Have a great week and we’ll pick back up on Thursday. 
Happy Sails!