Stuart Fl; February 25, 2011

Link to anchorage near Stuart, Fl via Google Maps

Our journey across Florida from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean is almost over. We are about 8 miles from where we will join the intracoastal waterway and begin traveling north.

We have traveled 635 miles of the loop so far.....6,865 miles to go....

We entered the St Lucie Canal today via the Port Mayaca Lock. The canal is peaceful, quiet and looks much like a river with a mix of trees and birds.

At the end of the St Lucie Canal, you go through the St Lucie Lock that lowers you down 12 feet to reach sea level. It takes about 20 minutes once everyone is inside.

Sailor Sandee handling the bow lines in the lock

Captain Matt takes the stern line on the way down

This lock was busy because they are on a restricted schedule and only lock every 2 hours to reduce the amount of water that is let out. This is a picture of leaving the lock.

On a random side note....our spider, Georgie (named appropriately because she has been with us, on the outside window, since we were in Georgia) has not abandoned ship.  We hadn't seen her since our last marina stop and feared the traitor jumped ship .....alas she made her nightly appearance tonight...and another mystery has been solved....it must be her that is busy covering Lollygag with webs....she is very busy!

Port Mayaca; February 24, 2011

Link to anchorage on the east edge of Lake Okeechobee

The Big O

Lake Okeechobee's name comes from the Indian name Oki (water) Chubi (Big). It is 451,000 acre lake! Geeze. The depth varies between 1 and 13 feet. It was the perfect place for me to take the helm and finally get the hang of the chart plotter! Finally, no more serpentine patterns.

We only saw a few passing boats and an occasional channel marker filled with birds.

Lake at sunset

Clewiston, FL; February 23, 2011

Link to Clewiston dolphin pilings

We tied up for the night between two dolphin's.

 It was quite a trick to get tied off since the cleats were high up.

        Dolphin's are several pilings lashed together.

 They were originally set to secure barges end to end.

You tie off the bow and stern to keep the boat out of the channel.

We had a short 12 miles to Clewiston today. The canal was surprisingly deep between 10 and 18 feet. Alligators seemed to line the banks and at times we saw them every 25 - 50 feet.

Moore Haven, FL; February 22, 2011

Link to anchorage northeast of Moore Haven, Fl via Google maps

We are continuing across Florida, traveling from the Gulf of Mexico to the Atlantic Ocean via the Okeechobee waterway. We are about 1/2 way across and around 12 miles from Clewiston where we will cross Lake Okeechobee.

We went through 2 locks today. The Ortona Lock, east of LaBelle, raises the boat 8 feet to equal the water on the other side. 

 This manatee went through the lock along with us.
When we left the lock, it swam alongside the boat.
This picture makes it look kinda like a gold fish cracker :)

We're surrounded!
The anchorage tonight has alligators all over.

Port LaBelle, FL: February 21,2011

Link to marina in Port LaBelle via Google Map

Manatee's are difficult to see when they are under vegetation. This one got our attention when we saw the plants moving. We could only see the head come up to munch some leaves.

Rows of orange trees

Went through a lock today. You call ahead on the radio and then wait for the light to turn green. After you're inside and tied up, the gates close and water comes in.

Leaving the other end when the gates have opened.

North Fort Myers, FL; February 20, 2011

Link to our anchorage northeast of Forth Myers, FL via Google Maps

We turned east today and headed across Florida on the Okeechobee waterway. At our lollygagging speed we estimate it taking about 5 days to arrive at Stuart before starting up the east side of Florida.

When you are close to town, there is a steady stream of boats

You can buy bait from this boat on the water...

  These dolphins were in the shallow channel.
You can see my shadow taking pictures from the boat.