December 15-17, 2010

Well, we are finally back and writing. We took some time to fully appreciate Christmas and the New Year.


Christmas Eve dinner at the Sandy Butler

 Actually, we had lovely holidays, but shortly after the new year, we purchased a new laptop. We forgot everything that is involved with learning a new operating system and transferring files, then learning the new software that goes along with the new computer. Anyway, these things as well as Mark playing with the new computer games have conspired to keep me from writing on the blog. Blah-blah-blah.

The last entry before Christmas was while we were crossing the Okeechobee Waterway. We had been delayed because of a cold front moving across Florida. The winds finally calmed to 10-15 mph which was enough for us to go. We were up and out early while it was still quite chilly (34 degrees) – the snowy egrets were huddled against the cold.

Even the turkey vultures were not moving – I think we counted 16-17 birds.

The Port Mayaca Lock is the gateway to Lake Okeechobee. Lake Okeechobee is at a higher elevation than either east or west coast of Florida so there are two locks on the east side waterway and three locks on the west side waterway. The St. Lucie Lock was the greatest lift at 13 feet, but Port Mayaca was only about two feet. As the gates opened we looked out at what the weather service called a “moderate chop”. The waves were about two footers, and Mark remained alert while steering. The channel is narrow with the first channel marker about 7 miles out. Unlike most of the other channels we have been in Lake Okeechobee’s channel is lined with rock debris – we carefully followed our GPS headings. After 25 miles we were on the west side and followed the channel through the grass.

Port Mayaca Lock

Out to Lake Okeechobee

Channel through the grass

We left the big lake at Clewiston, then turned north and followed the waterway along the west side of Lake Okeechobee for roughly 10 miles to Moore Haven. Lake Okeechobee is contained by manmade dikes with locks to prevent the water from being blown out during hurricanes. We were in the channel just on the other side of the dike. Our books told us that the USACE waged war against the casuarina trees, believed to be an invasive species. An invasive species is an organism that becomes established in a new environment, and then spreads in a way that is destructive to the native ecosystem. The name is derived from the Malay word for the cassowary, kasuari, alluding to the similarities between the bird’s feathers and the plant’s foliage. Our Waterways guide book referred to the trees as exotic.



Remains of casuarina trees

 We made it through the Moore Haven Lock and finally stopped at the River Forest Yacht Center in LaBelle. We traveled nearly 80 miles and it took a little over 9 hours. We are considering leaving Grateful at this facility over the summer when we go back to MN. Negotiations are in process with our insurance company. River Forest has “hurricane tie-downs” – cleats in the concrete – that are used to secure the boats with straps in case of high winds.

Sunset at River Forest Yacht Center, LaBelle

Thursday, we moved on. The weather was warming and Mark was able to drive from the flybridge. This day we had about 43 miles to go with two locks, three bridges and manatee zones. We passed through the citrus areas of Florida with orange trees lining the canal.

Orange groves along the Okeechobee Waterway

We had to ask for two bridges to open for us and thought that we would be able to go through the Beautiful Island RR Bridge because it is usually open. But as we approached, it closed for a train. A half hour later we were through. Fortunately, we were now in the Caloosahatchee River and had more wiggle room. That night we stayed at the Legacy Marina in N Ft Myers. Geff and Mary Sue met us at the marina having traveled there in their boat. We had a great seafood dinner at Joe’s Crabshack.

Train on Beautiful Island RR Bridge

Grateful at Legacy Harbor, N Ft Myers

Friday, December 17th, was another beautiful day. Our route to Fish-Tale Marina on south Ft. Myers Beach takes us out into the gulf. We were back to familiar territory. As we crossed under the Sanibel Causeway, the gulf was very calm.

Sanibel Causeway – familiar territory

We picked up happy dolphins who were jumping completely out of the water. We could have come in at a little higher tide because we had a bit of a scare coming into Big Carlos pass – only 3 feet of water under Grateful. It was a glorious day with sun and 78 degrees. We were safely settled in by early afternoon.

Calm “soft” gulf water