Log of the ELISSA II: Maximo Point to Sarasota 4/26/13

04/26: Started another fun day at 0930 for a short (@12 mile) to a cove on the Manatee River where we anchored. We then dinghied ashore and visited Desoto Memorial National Park, established to commemorate Hernando DeSoto’s landing on the coast of Florida (Tampa Bay) in 1539. Very interesting and well presented history. We resumed the voyage @1400, traveling another 35 miles to a mooring ball at Marina Jack’s at south end of Sarasota Bay. We were secured to the ball at 1800. We are surrounded by visual overloads-literally, billions of $$ per mile of high-rise condos mega-yachts everywhere and lots of water traffic. The later produced far too much in the way of boat wakes for comfort…until sunset when all the weenies with heavy hands on throttles settled in for the night. The DeSoto Park is very well done, presenting the good, the bad and the ugly of European exploration of the Western Hemisphere. Was surprised/had forgotten how far inland DeSoto and his men explored. While devastating to Native Americans, they didn’t fare too well either, with DeSoto himself dying in 1543 on the Mississippi (where he was buried “at sea”), no Gold ever found and his remaining men barely making it to Mexico. We cruised by the Sunshine Parkway Bridge and since I am a Bridge aficionado, have many geometric pictures. Back in the ICW, the scenery is mangroves, mansions, yachts, remodeled ranch-style homes, mansions, mansions, mansions. Yikes!! Haven’t seen so much $$$$ in property since Monte Carlo. Re: the wakes of passing boats: it can be a problem anywhere but it seems many boaters here in South Florida are especially obnoxious. We had one sport fisherman deliberately alter course, as would a jet skier on Lake Leelanau to play with a brother on a sunfish, to buzz us when at anchor last night at Maximo Point. I was preparing dinner and felt lucky I didn’t lose the Grouper on the stove. GRRRRR! We attempted to anchor at North Pass but after hitting ground a couple times, decided to head for Sarasota. The city is limiting anchoring and implementing mooring balls. I was never great at lassoing one with a boat hook 20 years ago but having no shame, was at it again. Only complication, beside my ineptitude, was discovering we somehow no longer had a boat hook aboard. Now where did we lose that seldom used but essential piece of equipment???? Did find a pole that extended out long enough to semi-grab the mooring line and got us secured-with Bill’s help. Am sure I provided some entertainment for those around us. Dinghied to the Sarasota Bayfront Park with the Girls and to register—a nice $18/night mooring fee- and explore. Is lovely setting-fountains, sculptures, and ongoing art exhibit on Diversity. We are surrounded by high-rise condos, music from Marina Jack’s restaurant and the wakes of passing boats in a no-wake zone! Dinner: Crab cakes and curried rice and vegetables (leftovers).

DeSoto Park