Happy New Year!! 2021 SW FL Ranger Tug / Cut Water Rendezvous

After spending August - December on the boat in 2020, we were glad to be on solid ground again.  But that didn't last long!  By the end of January we were excited to go back to Florida and resume our adventure.

      Proofreading this post revealed how much Covid has interfered with our trip.  We will all be glad          when we can resume normal activities again.

Burnt Store Full Moon

Fri, Jan 29 -  We splashed Port-A-Gee at Burnt Store Marina, Punta Gorda in preparation for annual Southwest Florida Ranger Tug / Cutwater Rendezvous.  This will be the 4th year that we've attended, but this year was special because we finally attended on board the boat!!  No back and forth to the Airbnb this year.

Feb 5 - 7 - Rendezvous:  Of course, due to Covid-19, attendance was much lower than past years. Per usual, Mike and Jess Rizzo put together a lovely well organized 3-day event.  We were glad to see past attendees: Ron & Libby Johnson, Matt & Kathy Murphy, Jeff & Carolee MacFarland, Ethan & Tammi Barnett and Will & Jan Ward; along with 15 newbies. Precautions were put into place for social distancing, and everyone was very conscientious and respectful of protocols; but despite those efforts, on the last day we were informed that one of the attendees did test positive for Covid - followed by 2 more as the week progressed.


Mon, Feb 8 -  Traditionally, the Monday following the Rendezvous the Tug/Cutwater flotilla cruises out to Pelican Bay at Cayo Costa State Park to anchor out for the night.  Alas, Covid threw water on that this year, so Porta-A-Gee went solo.  No better way to social distance!  It was a beautiful, restful evening, and we never tire of the marine life sightings; the camera-shy dolphin, manatee and too many sea birds to catalogue.

Pelican Bay


Next, we will get back on the Loop route through Southwest Florida.







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