April 9,2011 (Our grandson Dylan's birthday) Left our anchorage at 8 am in Cortez, after picking up Capt. Fred (Morgan) at the dock. Gardner & Caryl got to show off their skills (what skills?) in loading the dingy up onto the boat deck using our hydraulic lift. We headed north (initially) to leave the Intercoastal and headed out to the Gulf of Mexico. Only had a few glitches (like our Northsatr on the upper helm didn't work) Took a course of 3-6 miles off shore & steamed past Sarasota, Venice & Englewood. Had our first hailing by the sailing vessel "In Your Dreams" a Benateau 46. They were going straight thru to Marathon . (A delivery trip) Then we saw the SS Sophie, a 80 ft. 1947 Trumpy, owned by Greta Van Sestren. Lots of crab pot dodging & some big dredging operations. Arrived at our anchorage behind Gasparilla Island around 6 pm, after entering through Boca Grande into Charlotte Harbor. It was a nice calm night, anchored in 9 ft, right off of Port Boca Grande. Boat handled very well, the engine purred along all day, the seas were calm & the winds were light. Great way to start a cruise.