January 18-Foggy trip to Naples

Judy and I awoke to a light rain. Soon after that the fog rolled in. Our plan is to travel to Naples a trip of 30 some miles. There is no inland waterway to get there, so you must travel in the Gulf of Mexico. A calm sea was predicted. By 9:30 the fog started to lift so we made our way out of the Matanzas Pass to the Gulf of Mexico. Gypsy Time led the way, followed by Sun Cat, and Silver Foxes brought up the rear. The markers were clearly visible as we navigated through the pass. About a half mile into the Gulf fog completely enveloped us and all of us quickly lost sight of each other. We organized ourselves by radio and radar. I could see the other two boats only on radar. They followed each other very closely and I stayed 1/4 mile off of their starboard side. We decided on a common speed. None of us could see each other except on radar. Visibility was less than 150'. Judy was a little frightened, but then she soon trusted the radar. We would see other boats approach and meet us on one side or the other but we never did actually see another boat. Sometimes we saw their wake. Crab pots to avoid also. Very tense and interesting day. The trip was like this the whole way to Gordon Pass, the entrance to the Gordon River and Naples. As we approached Gordon Pass and the green entrance marker, all three trawlers fell in close file and alerted all by radio that we were coming into the Pass. As soon as we navigated several sets of markers and entered the pass, the fog lifted just like somebody opened the theatre curtain. A very nice gesture! The rest of the trip up the River was very pleasant and sunny--many magnificent homes. We are very comfortably settled in at the Naples City Dock after arriving at 2:30 pm. The picture is of yet another beautiful sunset from our Boat at Ft. Myers Legacy Harbor