Thursday, January 19th - lay day at Marco Island

Cutter Loose remains at anchor in Factory Bay today awaiting the arrival of sailing friends aboard Catspaw and Cavu.  A weak cold front has stalled over southern Florida.  Winds  are from the north and northeast.  Temperatures are in the 70s again today.  There is not a cloud in the sky and the humidity is low.  Every day, we give thanks for perfect weather.

[caption id="attachment_2781" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Jane Hittler Park at Marco Island"][/caption]

We take advantage of this opportunity to explore Marco Island.  Development began on this highly planned community in the 1960s.  Upscale homes, highrise condominiums, hotels and marinas are everywhere.  But there are also smaller 1960s subdivision homes and modest apartment buildings that create a certain degree of economic integration on the Island.  Unlike some resorts, there are few gated neighborhoods on the Island.  The boulevards with their decorative light fixtures and center islands are perfectly manicured.  Smaller shops and restaurants abound, but most of them are locally owned and operated.  Many of the streets have designated bike lanes.  Marco is an attractive community, which has not gone unnoticed by flocks of snowbirds from the north who migrate to this area every winter.  It is upscale, but at the same time, down to earth.

Late in the afternoon, we meet our sailing friends at the Snook Inn, which attracts a sizeable happy hour crowd.  Tomorrow, our group of four Island Packets will sail north to Fort Myers Beach.