Boca Grande

We arrived at Boca Grande on Monday the 8th and anchored in this bayou between the Gasparilla Inn and the golf course. The inn was built in 1913 and we found out that President Bush was here the week before we arrived. Boca Grande is on Gasparilla Island about halfway between Sarasota and Fort Myers. Here we utilize a "Mediterranean Mooring" where you put an anchor off the bow and tie the stern to the Mangroves. This way more boats can occupy the same water space without swinging on the anchor.

We share the bayou with other boats and with two float planes that come and go on a regular basis. This area is known worldwide for Tarpon fishing.

We can walk into town where the primary mode of transport is golf carts. The "town" is a collection of shops and restaurants but unless you are buying real estate or boutique clothing, there is not much to see or do. This place is very laid back and that is part of the appeal. Even though we have not seen any, it is widely reported that many celebrities come here where they can walk through town or eat out without being bothered.

Bill & Ellen found the local Catholic church and attended Mass tonight. It is a beautiful building inside and out and is reminiscent of an old Spanish "Mission".

Just in case you don't already know it, if you click on a photo you will be able to view it in a larger scale.