Friday November 29: Fort Myers, FL - West Coast!

Thanksgiving morning. Planned dinner was crab legs. But we both woke up thinking it should be a more traditional thanksgiving, right?

So Steve hopped on the bike and went back to Winn-Dixie - came back with a cornish hen, cranberry sauce, pumpkin pie, whipped cream, green beans and onion rings for on the green beans.

It was going to be a regular thanksgiving after all!

The pumpkin pie turned out to be an appetizer about 4 pm (I thought of Aunt Josie as I ate my desert before the meal :-)  ).

The cornish hen (stuffed of course with my Mom's recipe for dressing) turned out great. It was a Thanksgiving feast for sure!

It was a nice day - still windy though - so we went for a ride around some of the neighborhoods in the area. The live oaks are even more in evidence as they close over the top of the roads that wound through the side streets.

An orange tree orchard completed the picture of Florida for us. Not ripe yet but rows and rows of trees.

It was a relaxing morning today as we weren't in a hurry. Only 35 miles to Fort Myers and our intended stop for the night.

The canal of the Okeechobee Waterway has now changed to the Caloosahatchee River. Wider banks but still farmlands.

Gotta love the names of these places!

Steve continued to work on the stainless as we traveled today. I thought using a toothbrush was getting carried away but it actually does a nice job on the small hard to get turnbuckles on the mast stays.

The money of the west coast of Florida began showing itself the further west we traveled.

Still not like the east coast of southern Florida though - at least not yet!


The last lock of the five between the east coast and the west coast was completed today. The weird thing about these locks is that there is no valves to allow the water to enter or exit. The water level is lowered (in this case) by just opening the doors a foot or so! Totally unexpected on the first lock - I thought we were going to be swept away (which of course we were not :-) )

Last challenge of today: picking up a mooring ball in the mooring field off of the Fort Myers Marina.

First I drove us into the mud. Been a long time for that! Tide was coming in, wind was blowing us the right way (to deeper water) so getting off was ok.

Next, after approaching the field from the correct direction, catch the mooring ball which has no line attached to it. I couldn't hold the boat in the same spot due to the winds and currents so Steve had to just let the boat hook go .....

We were finally able to back up to the mooring ball, run a line through the ring, recover the boat hook and get ourselves set for the night.

Biggest challenge in a while. Would have been easier to anchor ..... next time.

This is Fort Myers - above.

Steve waited on the flybridge for the sunset but it was mostly clouds. Maybe tomorrow night!

Should be in Bradenton in a couple of days or so - stop at Terri and Scott's and then off to Ohio for a while.

Wednesday November 27: LaBelle on the Okeechobee Waterway

It was an early start yesterday to cross Lake Okeechobee. Tide's In passed us as we untied from the dolphins. It was a nice night and we were actually stationary enough to be able to tune into Monday night football. Stephen and Pam on Tide's In have spent the last 3 winters in Banana Bay so it was fun to see someone we knew on the waterway!

Funny thing about the lock: we just drove through it! The lake was the same level as the waterway leading up to it so no raising or lowering needed – easy for sure :-)

This lake lived up to its reputation as the second largest fresh water lake in the US (Lake Michigan is the largest) as we couldn't see any shoreline once we were out on the lake. It was a nice crossing with the winds calm but building by the time we were across (about 3 hours). Good thing we left when we did.

We tried to see the lake one of the times we had driven my mom down here but from the area around the lake, you can't see it at all! Only thing you can see is the earthen levee around it.

Once across the lake, it was another 7 miles around the edge in an almost canal like area that rims the lake. You can see the very tall mound of dirt that keeps the lake in its place. The visitor center at the St. Lucie lock stated that if this levee had been build today it would never be build with dirt and stone! Nice public areas in this area though.

The birds sure liked to follow the guy mowing the grass. I'm not sure what they find in the cut grass but they seemed to follow any of the mowers we saw along the route. Very similar to the seagulls that followed us across the lake today.

We stopped about 1 pm at Moore Haven. A very small town whose grocery store had just closed for good last Saturday. Now everyone has to drive at least 45 minutes to the next closest store. There was no evidence of industry – not sure what keeps folks in this area. However, I was able to finally get a haircut which was GREAT and long overdue. Almost took the scissors to my hair ….. always a bad outcome ….

Today was a short 25 miles to Labelle, FL. Mostly farmland along the river again – very little evidence of homes or anything else. The water plants (most likely an invasive species) were really evident in one area of the river in particular. This was also at the visitor center. Amazing how quickly it can take over a waterway.

This little bird seemed to be enjoying the ride down the river though :-)

We're docked adjacent to Tide's In tonight (and tomorrow night as we are both staying another night) at LaBelle. Really nice docks – free with power included. Can't beat that for sure.

So off came the bikes and we made the 1 ½ mile ride to Winn-Dixie. I loved the sign along the street warning of the live oaks overhanging the street. In Ohio, these would just be trimmed back but not here in the south! The live oaks are like sacred trees with the arms often totally grown across the street.

Shopping again with backpacks. Limited needs as we will be leaving the boat next week for a trip to Ohio. We were sure spoiled by having a car during the month we spent at New Bern.

Tomorrow: Thanksgiving – parades, football and a good dinner. What more could we want?

Monday November 25: St. Lucie Lock

So Steve has been trying to find the best way to hard boil an egg. You know - so the shell comes off easily and in large pieces instead of loosing half of the egg white being stuck to the shell.

After many attempts and hours spent internet searching, he thinks he has it!

1. The eggs have to not be 'fresh'. Several days at least in the fridge. The test is whether or not the egg stands up in a pot of water instead of laying on its side. Apparently the air pocket is larger if the egg is older.

2. Now put the eggs in cold water and bring to a boil for exactly 5 minutes.

3. Remove from the heat and let stand for 10 minutes.

4. Run cold water into the pot until the eggs are cooled.

Result? Easy to peel hard boiled eggs :-) Who knew?

It was an enjoyable morning as we were in no hurry. Only 24 miles to our next stop: the lock just below Lake Okeechobee.

After a few maintenance jobs (checking battery water, oil level in engine and generator and water levels in engine and generator), it was time for a stop at the visitor center for the lock. Nicely done displays with info about the history of the waterway. No movie though - I was sad :-(

Next a bike ride to the convenience store a couple of miles away. Of course it started sprinkling right after we were started but fortunately it didn't last. Nor did I :-) I stopped after a mile or so an let Steve go on without me.

Sadly, he got there and then realized he'd forgotten his wallet! Hard to believe but the guy that owned the place told him to just call and give him is credit card info when he got back to the boat. Mmmmm..... maybe this will be the most expensive dozen of eggs he ever bought - guess I'll check the credit card charges!

We were off about noon. The waterway is very similar to the Erie Canal. Relatively narrow, straight, tree lined river. This was dug so is one of those days when there is little wheel turning needed to drive the boat.

Anyone looking for a fixer-upper boat?? There was literally green growing stuff on the aft end of this tugboat. Don't think it's gone anywhere for a while :-)

What a pleasant day though. Very easy travel with an occasional glance at the depth gauge.

15 feet seems to be the norm along this canal. We pass lots of farmland - along with a fun group of horses that came running over to the waterway when we passed by.

An easy relaxing day. Clouds/sun came and went but still shorts and t-shirt (with the flybridge plastic up). No complaints from me.

Tonight we are tied front and back to "dolphins". Basically a bunch of poles that are all joined together. This makes up a dolphin. There are a row of 7 of them here near the lock.

What's nice is we can tie to them and as the lockmaster put it "stay as long as you like"! Well, that will only be until tomorrow morning but I'm thinking with this arrangement we will be held enough to permit viewing of the Monday night football game!

By the way, this is the view inside our cabin tonight! Seems that when we were completing our chores this morning, neither one of us thought about the consequences of turning off the battery power ... to the water pump which the washing machine needs to run.

No time to let it continue to the dry cycle so Steve improved a clothes line inside the cabin!

Nice job, Steve!!

Sunday November 24: On the Okeechobee Waterway!!

Are we having fun yet? Some days I'm not sure!

Since leaving St. Augustine on Thursday, we've traveled a total of 230 miles - an average of 60 miles a day. Who ever let Florida be such a long state??

I remember when we drove to Florida many times from Cleveland and being amazed that once we hit the Florida state line we were only 2/3 of the way to the Keys ..... really?

Anyway, it's been an interesting 4 days but the best part is it has been (for the most part) shorts and t-shirt weather. Very different than when we were in SC and Georgia.

We left Daytona Beach under cloudy skies but no rain so that was ok. The Ponce Inlet lighthouse really stood out as we passed by the inlet on our way to New Smyrna. This is the tallest lighthouse in Florida and the second tallest in the US.  For more info, click here.

We picked up a hitchhiker as we passed by New Smyrna - a snowy egret. It stayed with us for about 10 minutes and then was on its way. First time for that!

The sailboats continue to be traveling with us. We pass the same ones, it seems, every day! They must get up earlier I guess :-) This is through Haulover Canal which typically is very clear water and manatee are easily seen. Not so much today though. Steve spotted turbulence in the water which was an indication they were around - just not very visible.

And of course there are always pelicans around :-)

We ended up staying at Cocoa Village Friday night 11/22. The news for the past few days has been on the assassination of JFK. Anyone that was old enough remembers exactly where they were when they heard the news ..... sad days to remember.

It was up early again and Cocoa Village was left in the sunrise. Gorgeous day for travel but high winds on the way tomorrow.

The dolphins really enjoyed traveling with us today - more than usual lately. I always signal Steve (if he is down below) that there may be dolphins in our bow wave. I can't see them but if it looks like they are headed our way I tap on the floor of the flybridge. They were really putting on a show today :-)

The scenery has finally changed from the very wide open Indian and Banana Rivers to the smaller canal areas to the west of the coast of central Florida.

It was a pleasant change! We anchored at Ft. Pierce near some condo's that would provide excellent protection for the north winds due in. Steve of course decided to fish - with some success: a catfish! Lots of work to clean - where is Peter when we need him??

The sunset was once again great.


But not nearly as incredible as the sunrise this morning!

Steve just couldn't stop taking pictures again .....

It was an early leave time of 6:30 - goal was to be headed west to the Okeechobee Waterway before the really high east winds (25+ knot) came in off of the ocean. We could see the clouds forming along the east shore as we left the anchorage. And the sun coming up was like a cauldron boiling behind the clouds.

It was a relief from the high winds when we entered the relatively calm Okeechobee Waterway.

The winds are still there and still blew us around but nothing like it was in the morning as we were moving south on the ICW. Great that the wind was behind us though.

By 1 pm we were through the first lock (another real experience - details at a later date) and tied up just west of the lock at their park and campground.

The cost: $12 :-) Including power :-) Sometimes it pays to be old!

Hooked up the power, got the DirecTV working and settled in to watch the Brown demolish the Steelers.

Right. But we'll get them next time .....

A flock of ibis and wind/rain clouds coming completed the day. We may stay another depending on the weather ....

Thursday November 21: Daytona Beach

What an enjoyable time we spent with Jim and Linda! It was so good to see them again :-)

What's really amazing to me is that having met and traveled with them and Peter and Cheryl (Surona, Deja Vu) for really a relatively short time as we traveled the Loop, everyone has made an effort to stay in touch and what truly good friends all of us have become ....

Sadly it was just a couple of hours as they were on their way from Brandenton back to Edisto Island, SC for their family Thanksgiving. The whole family is coming in!! Last year we were fortunate enough to be able to join them for the holiday. It was like being at home :-)

After they were on their way, we spent the afternoon waiting out the rain so we could ride over to the Marine Store. Not that we had anything in mind that we needed.

But sometimes you don't know what you need until you see it, right? The selection of electrical connections was truly amazing as Steve looks over what we might need to add to our inventory. We also picked up a 50 amp splitter (to 2 30 amp plugs) that we often need at a marina that might only have 50 amp power. Good deals all around!

Under cloudy skies but temperatures in the low 70's we headed out after a more than usual leisure morning (that means we left at 8:00 instead of 7:00!).

Steve is really getting good at retrieving our lines from over the tops of the pilings. Mmmm.. maybe he should have been a cowboy?

The weather continues to deteriorate but it is warm enough that only the two front pieces of plastic are needed for travel today. This is enough to provide a windbreak for me and even if it rains (which of course it did) it's enough to keep everything dry. Good thing we re-waterproofed the canvas at Matt and Wendy's last month though. It was really a pain to use an umbrellas under the flybridge canvas :-)

As we traveled south toward Daytona Beach, the waterway ran less than a mile from the oceanside for much of the 60 mile trip. It was easy to spot the homes built to withstand a hurricane surge.

The other side of the waterway was large marshlands - often parklands or wildlife refuges.

The boat traffic on the ICW has been crazy this trip south. Nothing like we've ever seen in the previous times we've headed south.

Sailboats are everywhere - most seem to be headed for the Bahamas (at least according to the chatter on the VHF radio which is used to talk to other boaters). Today was particularly busy with them.

We "met" (spoke over the radio) one couple from Amherst that sold everything and moved to their boat in June. Another couple was on a boat called "Changes" who were from Mentor. Both were headed over to the Bahamas. The weather stayed about the same as we finally  made it to the bridges and high rises of Daytona Beach. Light drizzle, low winds and calm seas. A good day!

Arrived about 3 pm so there was time for a ride to the beach. Steve loved this mailbox! I'm thinking this guy doesn't get very many bills in the upper mailbox :-)

The beach ride was great! The tide was going out so there was plenty of hard packed sand on which to ride.

Lots of sea gulls just sitting in the surf. It didn't look like they were eating or anything so I'm not sure why they chose this spot!

Today was a good day .....