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 ....