Marco Island to Russell Pass Anchorage, Everglades, FL

House shopping at Marco Island

Sunny and cool in the morning with a north wind, rolling waves from the northeast pushed the stern around until the third leg that headed ENE then seas calmed and the wind diminished after shifting to the east.

We arrived in the Russell Pass anchorage about 12:30 PM.  This is the edge of the Everglades National Park and is completely remote with mangroves and water as far as the eye can see.  We lowered the dinghy into the water and took a very interesting side trip to Everglades City, about a 40 minute trip by dinghy. Everglade City was larger than expected and seems to center around an active commercial fishing fleet. We also saw our first air boats that push through the glades. Lots of activity on the river and a continuous fast flow of water. We purchased some dinghy gas from an unattended credit card fuel pump on the water for $5.39 per gallon, a bit pricey.

Our main destination was a historic restaurant and hotel called the Everglades Rod and Gun Club. The hotel lobby is all dark wood with many trophy fish, birds and deer mounted on the walls.  Built in 1864 it has hosted Presidents Truman and Eisenhower, as well as Mick Jagger, Earnest Hemmingway, Sally Fields, Sean Connery, Burt Reynolds, Dennis and Carol Barkow, and a host of other celebrities.  It it was used several times for movie sets and still maintains its original character.  We had a late lunch of fresh seafood salad and some ‘gator bites’ that were really very good.  The rest of the town is made up of Florida/Key West style cottages and a few restaurants, a bank, and a school.

Beautiful old wood interior

We returned to our anchorage in time to join some other Loopers for a sunset visit.  These folks were both couples from Wisconsin and we enjoyed getting to know them.  All in all a very nice day, smooth ride, fun adventures and a lovely place to be.

 

Old Florida

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