Venice, Punta Gorda and Cabbage Key

Jeff, David Moyer and Mark Denny - friends 
since grade school.
                        Gopher tortoise at Cabbage Key.
                                        Cabbage Key.
                               Fishing at Punta Gorda.
                               ICW going to Okeechobee.
 Abandoned sailboat in Punta Gorda.
          So much damage from Hurricane Ian in Fort Myers.
                                 Our journey on Nebo.
                         Shells on a tree at Cabbage Key.
                     Dinner with loopers at Cabbage Key.
                 Railroad bridge opening up so we can pass.
                      On top of fire tower at Cabbage Key.
                   Vietnam Memorial Wall in Punta Gorda.
                                         Osprey Nest.
                    Jeff and David Moyer - friends for life!
                                 Entering Cabbage Key.
              Playing Cornhole with friends at Cabbage Key.
                             Another abandoned sailboat.
           So many boats piled up on land after Hurricane Ian.
                               Another boat on the bank.
                                    Our little tug boat.
                           Jill and Sharon throwing bags.
                         A few cottages on Cabbage Key.
                          Parrot at Crows Nest in Venice.
            Money on the ceiling at Cabbage Key Restaurant.

    After we left St. Pete Beach, we headed to Crow’s Nest Marina (Jan. 16, 2023), in Venice.  It just made sense to stop there because it was.a halfway point to where we going. They had showers, laundry, gas, fixed docks and a restaurant. It was a little pricey at $3.00 a foot ($75.00 for us) and gas was $5.99.  I think that’s the most we’ve paid for gas!  

   We made it just in time, to the Crow’s Nest, for happy hour and enjoyed a couple of drinks at the bar.  Actually, when we asked for drink specials or happy hour, I think he just gave it to us.  He replied with, “Sure, it’s happy hour,” and he knocked $2 off of our drinks. But then I heard him tell another patron that happy hour was in 10 minutes.  So, who knows?  At least, we felt we were getting a good buy on our drinks, after spending so much on gas and slip fee!

   Our next stop was to Laishley Park Marina in Punta Gorda. We had plans of meeting with a couple of our friends, David Moyer and Mark Denny.  Jeff went to school with both of them - very nice guys.  We went fishing one morning.  I think Mark caught the most (he’s definitely the most experienced), but we all caught something, mostly Sea trout, and Mark caught a Redfish, but it wasn’t in season.  After fishing, we enjoyed lunch at a local seafood restaurant. We had some Blue Crabs at the restaurant - they were good but a lot of work!  

   While in Punta Gorda, we were able to visit with good friends, David and Paula Griggs.  We had a great time - swimming in their pool and plenty of Yuengling on tap!  We shared a lot of memories and laughed a lot!  I only wished we would have gotten a picture!

  At Laishley Park, we met a couple/loopers, Joel and Jill on a Cutwater, Smile with the Rising Sun.  We enjoyed their company and decided to travel with them a bit.  

   Laishley Park was a great marina - at $2.00 a foot, with wonderful amenities (no gas), but within walking distance to downtown.  They had great showers, laundry ($1.00 a load), a lounge area, free bike rentals, nice walking trail and a restaurant.  I wish we would have stayed a little longer to have enjoyed it a bit more. 

  Our next stop was Cabbage Key.  Cabbage Key is only accessible by boat. It was $2.50 a foot, no water and no electricity. It had some bungalows and one restaurant.  Supposedly, Jimmy Buffet was inspired to write, “Cheeseburger in Paradise,” while he was on the island.  They did have a cheeseburger on the menu.  Our waitress at Cabbage Key was the most animated person we’ve ever seen! The restaurant was ok but it was pricey.  Bottled water was $4!  

  Cabbage Key recently reopened and is currently undergoing repairs.  The dock master seemed a little stressed, however, he was there to help us get into our slip and tie the boat to the dock. The docks were fixed and they had a bath house, but I never saw it.  One of the best things about Cabbage Key was pulling up and seeing a looper that we met on the rivers, Jeff and Sharon, on Yachts of Fun.  They’re from Canada and had never played Cornhole. We spent the evening pitching bags and then enjoying dinner at the restaurant. 


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