[/caption]On Monday morning, Cutter Loose is assisted into her slip by the courteous staff at Naples Boat Club. NBC's floating docks are within easy walking distance of attractions in Old Naples. NBC's facilities are top-notch, which is consistent with the $2.50 per foot cost of overnight dockage.
[caption id="attachment_2951" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Naples Boat Club"]
[/caption]Task #1 is to give Cutter Loose a much-needed bath to remove the accumulation of salt and cruising grime. By mid-afternoon, she gives the appearance of fitting in at this lovely marina. She is the sole sailing vessel docked at NBC. Most of the boats here are huge motor vessels and virtually all of them are maintained not by the owners, but by paid detailers. A workman explains that the Neopolitan lifestyle demands spacious and powerful motor vessels that are ready to go in a moment's notice. These boats are shiny and impressive, but they rarely leave the dock. In fact, the only people we encounter on the docks are NBC staff and private maintenance contractors.
[caption id="attachment_2948" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Visiting with neighbors Jim and Marnie in Naples"]
[/caption]Cutter Loose is visited today by friends Jim and Marnie who are wintering here in Naples. Over dinner, we enjoy catching up on news from the home front. Later, we are treated to a tour of Old Naples and a visit to their lovely condo overlooking Moorings Bay. We are grateful to Jim and Marnie for staying in touch and helping to provision Cutter Loose.
[caption id="attachment_2953" align="alignright" width="300" caption="Third Avenue shopping district streetscape"]
[/caption]Old Naples is visually perfect. Every blade of grass is perfectly manicured. While most of the buildings are older, every one of them is in near-perfect condition. The maximum height of buildings in Old Naples is three stories. Downtown streets are wide and adorned with interesting automobiles. Sidewalk cafes and coffee shops are filled with tanned, well-dressed patrons. City parks and public landscaping is well-designed and dramatically illuminated at night.
[caption id="attachment_2947" align="alignleft" width="300" caption="Interesting machinery on the streets of Naples"]
[/caption]Obviously, Naples is blessed with a considerable amount of wealth to support all of the higher end retail establishments and dozens of interesting restaurants. Being here is akin to visiting a movie set. If only for a few days, it feels good to be a part of this gorgeous setting.
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