Day 11 – Heading to Fort Myers

Nicely sheltered from the rain!

It was time to leave old beautiful Marathon and start heading towards Fort Myers. I woke up around 6am to start getting the car put together somewhat and get the outdoor stuff organized. Watched a little of the Tour de France during breaks. Slowly woke the kids a little after 9am and got them moving. They still needed to pack and clean their rooms. After LT finished packing his stuff, he helped me get the kayaks on the roof of the Yukon. Some coffee and last minute buttoning up and we were off to the races.

The weather called for rain all day, so it was a perfect day for travel. The clouds broke every now and then once we got off the Keys, we decided to go Alligator Alley (US 41) instead of I-75. It was a much prettier view and the Everglades were simply gorgeous. Half way through the alley, Anna saw a sign for gator bite at one of the Indian shops. While we grabbed the grub, Thomas grab a pole and tested his luck in the channel running parallel with the alley.

Can you see the excitement? Ready to eat at the Pickled Pelican in Marathon, Florida.

The peacock bass didn’t have a chance. LT spotted a bed and threw a lure to get its attention. BAMM! He nailed it. Adrenaline running through his veins, he did not want to leave yet and try for a few more. Olivia, Anna and I were in the car letting him finish for a bit longer before I finally blew the horn telling him to hurry up. Not but a few seconds later and he tagged a fat peacock bass. LT’s new PBR!!! Way to go son!

LT with his largest Peacock Bass caught on Alligator Alley.

From mid-way in the alley we still had about 2 hours to go before getting to the Neptune Inn. As we went through Naples, I stopped in a Bike Route bike shop and had them replace a flat tire so I wouldn’t have to mess with it over the next few days. They got me out of the shop relatively quickly and managed to get to the hotel around 6:30pm. Unloaded and relaxed before taking the cast net and fishing poles down to the water. No big luck on catches except for a few catfish.

Around 9pm, Anna, Olivia and I headed to the Salty Crab for some late night munchies. We had not eaten since before noon, so all of us were very hungry. We ordered fried green beans, fried oysters and buffalo chicken chunks. Olivia and Anna also got Bairdi Crab – which is apparently very similar to an Alaskan Snow Crab – along with two Caribbean Street Corn on the cobs. The corn on the cobs were hands down the favorite, beside the crab of course.

Back to the hotel and shut eye was pretty much immediate.

Custom chairs outside the front of the Salty Crab - Fort Myers Beach, Florida.

Salty Crab had red lighting all throughout the restaurant. Was a bit weird!