Blue Turtle Cruising

Memorial Day weekend on Captiva Island

With the major boat projects completed and out of the way, we decided it was time for some R & R. Memorial Day weekend (with the extra day off) was the perfect weekend to get off the dock so we decided to head out to anchor by Captiva Island and meet up with Johnny and April of Sea Crazy.

Corey helps fuel up Blue Turtle before our trip
Corey helps fuel up Blue Turtle before our trip

Since Sea Crazy and crew wouldn’t be able to meet up with us until Saturday, we decided to head on over to Merwin Key to anchor for Friday night. Merwin Key (near Picnic Island) is a great little anchorage that isn’t too far (2 hours) from the marina and a little over halfway to Captiva. Randy, Corey and I enjoyed a quiet evening there before heading out for Captiva on Saturday morning. It goes without saying that there was some trawler wake boarding happening on the way.

Enjoying sunset at Merwin Key
Enjoying sunset at Merwin Key
Our gorgeous view while leaving Merwin Key
Our gorgeous view while leaving Merwin Key
Corey wake boards and catches some air
Corey wake boards and catches some air
The boys at the helm
The boys at the helm
Arriving at our anchorage near Captiva
Arriving at our anchorage near Captiva
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Anchored, dinghy deployed, and ready for some fun!

Once we were anchored, the Randy and Corey dropped the dinghy in the water and Corey set off in it to go pick up his friend Sam at the docks at The Green Flash. While they were gone, I helped Randy get the kayaks in the water so the boys could go out in them when they returned. After we helped the boys off in the kayaks, Randy had some plumbing to attend to for an hour or so (it’s always something!). Thankfully, he finished up right before Sea Crazy arrived to raft up next to us.

Corey returning after picking up Sam
Corey returning after picking up Sam
Hi Sam!
Hi Sam!
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The boys taking the kayaks to shore to go skim boarding
Sea Crazy arrives
Sea Crazy arrives
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Captain John at the helm

After catching up a bit and having some lunch, Johnny made some of his famous margaritas. The boys eventually returned to the boat and we decided to have an early dinner, then head to shore for a drink at The Green Flash.

Corey and Sam heading back to the boat
Corey and Sam heading back to the boat
Margarita and a lovely view aboard Sea Crazy
Margaritas and a lovely view aboard Sea Crazy
Sam and Corey, best buds
Sam and Corey, best buds
Welcome to the gun show!
Welcome to the gun show!
Blue Turtle's decks as seen from Sea Crazy
Blue Turtle’s decks as seen from Sea Crazy
Loading up in the dinghies to head to shore
Loading up in the dinghies to head to shore
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Check out that paint job on Blue Turtle!
Our anchorage, near Tween Waters
Our anchorage, near Tween Waters
Corey and Sam ride with Grandpa and April
Corey and Sam ride with Grandpa and April
The Green Flash - home of some amazing food and a great margarita!
The Green Flash – home of some amazing food and a great margarita!

After a drink at The Green Flash, we headed on over to the beach side to catch the sunset.  The boys brought along their skim boards and we headed down to The Mucky Duck for a sunset cocktail. It was a gorgeous evening and sunset.

Me and boys climb the crooked tree
Me and boys climb the crooked tree
Father and Son having a beer at The Mucky Duck
Father and Son having a beer at The Mucky Duck
Sam and Corey skim boarding
Sam and Corey skim boarding
Life is good!
Johnny and Randy enjoying the sunset
Life is good!
Life is good!
Gorgeous Captiva sunset
A gorgeous Captiva sunset

On Sunday, we decided to take a dinghy ride to the beach. We went through Blind Pass and out on the Gulf to get to the beach side of upper Captiva. It was a gorgeous day and the boys enjoyed skim boarding while we relaxed on the beach. When we got back to the boat, the boys decided they wanted to jump off the very top (the hardtop of the bridge) of Grandpa’s boat. They had a blast jumping in and swimming.

Sophie and I on the dinghy ride to the beach
Sophie and I on the dinghy ride to the beach
The boys ready for some beach fun!
The boys ready for some beach fun!
Johnny, April and Lucy ready for the beach
Johnny, April and Lucy ready for the beach
Beautiful upper Captiva
Beautiful upper Captiva
Getting some sun
Getting some sun
Picture-perfect beach spot
Picture-perfect beach spot
Osprey and nest that I spotted near the beach
Osprey and nest that I spotted near the beach
Our gorgeous anchorage view
Our gorgeous anchorage view
Leap of faith off Grandpa's boat
Leap of faith off Grandpa’s boat
These boys had too much fun
These boys had too much fun!

After a fun day in the sun, we headed to shore for dinner at The Green Flash. We love The Green Flash for their awesome “Roger-ritas” and fabulous food. I always get the blackened Mahi every time I go since it is my absolute FAV. After a wonderful dinner, we headed on over the beach for sunset and a drink. It was a perfect evening and perfect way to end a great day.

This time we decided we would get Grandpa and April up on the tree
This time we decided we would get Grandpa and April up on the tree
April wanted to stay up there with the boys
April wanted to stay up there with the boys

 

Johnny and April
Johnny and April
Randy and I enjoying the evening
Randy and I enjoying the evening
The boys were exhausted after their adventure-filled day
The boys were exhausted after their adventure-filled day
Sea Crazy and Blue Turtle crew
Sea Crazy and Blue Turtle crew
Beautiful way to end a perfect day
Beautiful way to end a perfect day

On Monday, Memorial Day, it was time to get ready to leave. We brought up the dinghy and kayaks and readied the boat. We decided we would stay through lunch and have Bloody Mary’s and hotdogs on Sea Crazy. While we sipped our drinks, Corey and Sam took the last opportunity to throw themselves off the top of Grandpa’s boat. After lunch, it was time to head home and we said our goodbyes to Sea Crazy and crew. We are looking forward to our trip to the Dry Tortugas with Johnny and April!

Blood Marys aboard Sea Crazy
Blood Marys aboard Sea Crazy
Photobomb! Corey jumps off the top of Grandpa's boat
Photobomb! Corey jumps off the top of Grandpa’s boat
See ya later Sea Crazy!
See ya later Sea Crazy!

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