This past weekend I took the small boat (23 Bowrider), down Charlotte Harbor to Cayo Costa island, the northern tip, and anchored/beached in Boca Grande Pass. The water was warm and clear, skies were blue, and we had a great time.

Here are several pictures.

To see all 57 pictures try this:

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ViewSlid....1241374064175

We ran down to Fort Myers Saterday had a blast.

what is the springy lookin thing? I saw one on sanibel the other day and wondered what it was.

Also the square box things?

How far from cape coral? Can you take inter coastal the whole way?

Thanks for the pics.

Square things are the lost steps to Atlantis.

Yes you can go ICW from Cape Coral the whole way. About 20-25 miles, a real nice ride, and not any 'no wake zones'.

Here are screens from my nav system.

Check you charts, follow the markers, stay in the channel. A few spots are very shallow and narrow.

Just run the markers north ya run right in to boca.

Nice pics, Frank! That lighthouse on the gift shop is a great photo perch.

Thanks Jay.

I am past the limit of my equipment. I do need more glass for the longer shots.

Getting closer to an upgrade, down to Nikon D90 with AF-S DX VR Zoom-NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G IF-ED or Canon 50D with EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS, for normal daily use.

Each one has areas where it is superior, they seem very equally matched overall in quality, performance and value.

Canon is now offering $300 instant off on the 50D and EF-S 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6 IS combination. That puts the Canon package at $1,404, which is $215 less than the Nikon at real sellers, not web scammers.

For longer shots I would consider AF VR Zoom-NIKKOR 80-400mm f/4.5-5.6D ED or EF 100-400mm f/4.5-5.6L IS USM. I really like the APO 120-300mm F2.8 EX DG HSM, but it’s way to expensive for my use.

Jay,

Here is the light house picture, at max zoom, max crop.

Just beyond the reach of my current setup.