Cruise leaders Mark and Kate Lewis planned the Cape Coral Cruise Club (CCCC) November trip to Uncle Henry’s Marina on Boca Grande. This is a location the Club had not been to in several years. Getting into Uncle Henry’s is a zigzag path through the channel off the GICW north of Boca Grande pass, but it is well marked and dock master Paul Robbins keeps a good eye on your progress so you don’t stray into trouble. The marina has a long single concrete dock with many good, wide slips. For its age the central dock is in very good condition.
Twelve CCCC member boats headed up the GICW on November 19th including: Panacea, Knot Again, Four Bugles, Y Knot, Markate, Whatever, Robyn M, Knotatoy, West Leigh, Happy Ours, KDJ, and Sharon Ann. The weather was great, winds light, and the water was smooth. After docking, hooking up electric, checking in, and doing some cleaning and organizing, we discovered that members Bob and Bonnie Martin, on their 33’ Ranger tug Daisy Mae, had come in from Sarasota to join the group. They were on the final southbound leg of a several month Great Loop journey.
It was almost docktail time and Bruce & Sue Longman and Rusty & Marlene Glover arrived by land yacht. Tradition is that the blowing of a conch shell starts happy hour. Mac was not present to perform the ritual, so, with his approval by phone, docktails began without him. A wide variety of pre-potluck snacks was greatly enjoyed. At 6:00pm more dishes began to appear for the pot luck dinner at the marina provided picnic shelter, consisting of a variety of salads, chicken legs, a sandwich ring, tortellini with meat balls, and a special goulash. Mark grilled chicken pieces marinated in a delicious, secret Jamaican jerk recipe. The serving table was packed including desserts of key lime pie and cream puffs.
Wednesday’s breakfast, also at the marina picnic shelter, consisted of an egg casserole created by Kate Lewis, along with croissants, muffins and fruit salad.
Kate prearranged for seven rental golf carts so members could explore Boca Grande which were delivered shortly after breakfast. They all looked like new WHITE carts (remember the color) and would seat four adults. In Boca Grande locals and tourists use golf carts on special wide paved trails to move about the island. After breakfast a few went fishing, some played cards while others left on carts to explore the Island, some going all the way down to Boca Grande Pass. Lunch for some was at the Loose Caboose and shopping is always a treat in Boca Grande.
Later in the afternoon we were joined by Hal & Dee Moss, Sharon & Wes Rubenich, Susan Herzog & Chuck Pollack, Dianne Myers, Ken & Sonja Wright, Ted & Beverly Hutson for docktails and the ride, for some, via golf cart to PJ’S Grille for dinner. Everyone had had great dinners along with a favorite beverage. Then it was back to our boats in the dark, many of us on our golf carts. When we arrived back at Uncle Henry’s, someone, I won’t mention any names, had a RED cart…not the rented white one. There was a quick run back to PJ’S Grille for a hasty exchange before the owner discovered the mistake. Hal Moss was called on to meet them there, because with headlights on plus a full day of use makes short life for a golf cart battery. All went OK and they returned safe and sound.
Thursday breakfast was eggs, fruit salad and croissants. The rest of day was open for each couple to fish, explore, play cards or just relax. Many headed in the golf carts to the south end of the Island for lunch at South Beach and a visit to the Boca Grande Lighthouse and Museum in Gasparilla Island State Park.
Docktails began around 4:30 with snacks and talk among members about the many interesting things to do in this old Florida atmosphere part of Southwest Florida. Dinner was on your own. Some went to the Tiki Bar restaurant and others remained on their boats.
Friday, the trip home was pleasant although due to breezy conditions, seas were just a little rough. It was another great trip for the Cape Coral Cruise Club. Thanks to one of our newest member couples, Kate and Mark Lewis, for their attention to detail making this a very memorable event.
The Cape Coral Cruise Club is open to new members who own a boat with overnight accommodations. For membership information please contact Larry Mitchell at 239-560-2823. View a short picture video of Club activities and review additional Club information on its website, www.c-c-c-c.org.
Words by Phil Kryger