Ft. Myers to Pelican Bay: Two of our most favorite places to visit came on 
this short travel day between Ft. Myers and Cayo Costa. First is Cabbage Key. For anyone who has not visited I am sorry to say that you have missed the dear departed Terry – most cranky dock master that every lived. The many times we have stayed over at Cabbage Key and watched Terry yell every curse word he could conjure to explain how some father driving a small boat full of children and grandparents had failed to follow his explicit orders. It was hilarious and you could tell that most of those taking the abuse had been dealt Terry’s wrath before. As if they came to Cabbage Key not for the wonderful hamburgers but to just get their weekly licking. It’s said that Cabbage Key is where Jimmy Buffett wrote the song “Cheeseburger in Paradise” and it’s easy to see how this could be. But Cabbage Key is an island in beautiful Pine Island Sound where there are no cars, no TV’s, just a place to relax and enjoy the surroundings.
From Cabbage Key we continued north on the ICW to just short of Boca Grande Pass where you can find Pelican Bay. This bay sits between Cayo Costa state park and Punta Blanca Island. One of our most favorite places to stay on the hook as Pelican Bay is fully protected with lots of space for many boats and is only 1 ½ miles from Cabbage Key – not to mention the state park. Once in Pelican Bay we set the hook and watched as a couple we had met at Rowland Martin Marina came in to set on the hook that night. Their boat, Vagabond, is a 52-ft Kady Krogen Express and a real beauty.
Our visit at Pelican Bay lasted for just a couple days as we had to push on to get home. But, at least for a while, we were in home waters and safely on the hook enjoying the evenings melt in the west.
