Nanseann: Day 89 Jan 11 38 mi Palm Island Marina, Englewood FL

8:45AM departure...breezy....sunny....going to be a good day...... m/v "Maia" comes out behind us. We depart Marina Jack and will cruise Big Sarasota Bay, Roberts Bay and Little Sarasota Bay to Venice on the first leg. You can see St. Armands Key on the Gulf side and downtown Sarasota on the mainland. Anyway you look at it.....it's high real-estate.

Sunrise... Yacht is from the BVI

Downtown Sarasota....Saddi's route

Good Bye Sarasota

When you come to the Sarasota area St. Armands Key is shopping and dining with the other half. And, the Ringling Museum and Estate is well worth a day trip. Bicycles won't work but there is public transportation.

We are in protected waters.....surrounded by beautiful homes. We are on the ICW and again stay between the red and green as these bays are shallow. There are MANY Mantees Zones and No-Wake Zones, speedboats and dolphins. This is a putt-putt day.

Yes....a house...

For Sale

You have your own point

I could arrange a tour...for a fee

Mangroves full of birds

Eagle

Blackburn Point Swing Bridge 9 feet

Bridge tenders walks to middle to open

Home on Little Sarasota Bay

Little Sarasota Bay

Tom Albee Bridge 14 feet...Open Please

About 15 miles south of Sarasota is Venice, one of Florida's younger towns. The Venice Inlet usually has a strong current and you have to watch for shoaling. Today was good. The Crow's Nest is a favorite marina for great food and music every night. We can't stop.....too early in the day....

The Crow's Nest Marina

Venice Inlet leads to the Gulf

Nice place to hang your hat

Venice Yacht Club with Moorings

From Venice we follow a narrow 2.25-mile straight stretch called The Cutoff which leads us to Lemon Bay. We thought we were on the Tenn-Tom again. We do stop for fuel at Marine Max of Venice, one of the best fuel prices on this stretch.....that is until you look at taxes, etc...not so great!!!! 204 gallons....that figures, according to the Captain, one and a quarter miles per gallon...since the crossing...

The Cutoff

Lemon Bay is still considered as "Old Florida"....less real-estate....lots of fishing boats..Recommendation.....Let's keep it simple......stick to the Waterway. In most cases, if you make an unplanned deviation from the ditch, it's time to either get out and push or find out what Sea Tow is doing at the moment. Plus, as always watch for crab pots....