Fri, Jan 22, 2010 - Cayo Costa Island State Park

It was very foggy when we got up this morning. Gale’s chore for the day was to lubricate the drive leg so he spent some time during the morning hours on that task and used the dinghy to help him get to it. After some lunch, we were ready to head over to Cayo Costa Island to anchor for the night. Our first challenge, however, was to get away from our current anchorage in the channel at Boca Grande. The current was working against us and the channel was shallow in some spots. Maureen piloted Blue Heron while Gale used the dinghy to push the boat out and away from the sailboat moored next to us as we untied from the mangroves and pulled up the anchor. When we were safely away, Gale boarded Blue Heron and we simply pulled the dinghy behind us during the rainy five mile ride to Cayo Costa.




At 2 pm we were safely anchored once again and ready to check out the state park so the three of us climbed into the dinghy and headed to the Ranger Station. Cayo Costa, which means “Key by the Coast” or barrier island, was the name given to the island by early Spanish traders. It is particularly well known for its tarpon fishing. We took the free tram that transports visitors from the bayside docks to the gulf side of the island. Since it was already after 3 pm, a bit on the chilly and rainy side, dogs weren’t allowed on the swimming beach, and a good mile walk back, we decided to stay on the tram and head right back to the dock. We plan to return to Cayo Costa’s beach on a nicer day. Besides, Gale and Lucy wanted to try their luck fishing.

The fishing expedition was very successful – Gale caught two nice sea trout which he cleaned and stored in the freezer for later. Before sunset, we went out for another little cruise in the dinghy by the shore to enjoy the seabirds and watch the fish in the shallower waters. There wasn’t any sunset to see tonight as the fog had settled in and made it impossible to see very far at all. Just as we were thinking about going home for dinner, two men in a fishing boat came by and we saw them pull up to a dock. We stopped to visit for a few minutes and learned they were from Texas and the fishing shack they were staying at was actually privately owned by one of these guys and six other partners. The private “residence” had been there for many years surrounded by the state park. Tonight they had experienced some difficulty finding the island in the fog and were just now arriving for a few days of relaxation and, hopefully, some great fishing.