Day 66-67 May 27-28 On to Moore Haven and crossing to the West coast of Florida Miles. 42.4 / 81.8 Total Miles. 1184.4/1265.5
Day 66
Another long travel day today leaving Indiantown. The water is calm and we see lots of herons, limpkins and egrets wading and fishing on the banks of the Okeechobee Waterway. In fact the water is so calm this early morning we can see the reflection of the trees in the water. Even saw a few alligators.
We traveled on this mostly straight stretch of waterway for 11 miles and came to the Port Mayaca Lock. The water level at the lock was the same as in the lake so we just drove through the lock and entered Lake Okeechobee.
Crossing the lake is a 25 mile trip almost diagonally through the lake, plus a 15 mile trip along the lake's rim to exit at the lock in Moore Haven and re-enter the Okeechobee Waterway. The lake was flat calm with mild breezes so was an easy crossing.
This pelican stood guard on this route marker in the middle of the lake.
We also had a Kite fishing in our wake. He was too fast for a picture. Was a beautiful black and white bird with a distinctive white beak.
Turning into the rim route on the west side of the lake we headed north for 15 miles with the dike on our west side and the grass flats and cypress trees and shrubs on our east side. Lots of smaller alligators and birds - mostly herons, are wading on the shore.
The lake level had just been lowered which exposed more of the rocky shore and sand banks.
We went through the lock at Moore Haven, dropping less than one foot and re-entered the Okeechobee Waterway. Traveling a bit further we pulled over onto the City of Moore Haven docks. We are in luxury tonight as we have electric and it actually works so we can use our air. Yeah!!! Also splurged by walking to the Mexican shop and cafe for take-out dinner.
Day 67. Crossing west of lake and up to Useppa Island
Again left early to continue west up the end of the Okeechobee Waterway. The water level here on the west side of the lake is higher than on the east side which we traveled yesterday.
Leaving the small town of Moore Haven, we passed sugar cane fields, farmland and Lake Hippochee.
We must pass through Ortona Lock, which drops us 8 feet. Two hours later we pass the small town of LaBelle and then the swing bridge at Denaud which opened for us immediately.
Further west the waterway shoreline becomes ranches with herds of cattle. Since it was such a warm day, many of the cattle tried to find shade and one even went for a dip on the waterway.
Our last landmark in Franklin Lock which had just opened to release east bound traffiic so we could enter as soon as the boats cleared. The lock dropped us 2 feet to the level of the Caloosahatchee River. We were very lucky with our timing of the locks and bridges.
We then continued our westward travel as the waterway broadened to the Caloosahatchee River and we headed for Fort Myers. The closer we got to Ft Myers, the more we are back in civilization.
As we travel through Fort Myers, we had three dolphins in our wake and they stayed with us for over 5 miles!
Once these dolphin tired, we had several others join our wake as we travel down the river toward San Carlos Bay and then turned north on Pine Island Sound. At one point we had up to seven dolphin traveling with us.! It was like the dolphin were greeting us as we returned to our home waters on the west coast of Florida!!
The shot above is of the end of the Caloosahatchee River and the entrance to San Carlos Bay.
We stopped at Cabbage Key hoping to find a place in their small marina. Well we found a place but no electric, so after a quick dinner, we traveled a few miles further north to anchor behind Useppa Island for the night.
Did have a nice sunset!
We will certainly sleep well tonight after this long day of travel.
As we prepare for our Bahamian Adventure, we are making lists upon lists of things to do and provisions to buy for our upcoming trip to the Bahamas. Bill has spent much time readying the boat for the cruise, checking engines, batteries and all the systems on the boat - electrical, plumbing, navigation, refrigeration and air conditioning. Sure kept Bill busy!!! We took the boat out to check all the systems and to get fuel. We had to re-remember all the navigation and auto pilot workings and surprisingly we did remember!! We have spent the last two days loading the boat with provisions- water, food, tools, clothes, toiletries and cleaning supplies, and our pantry and cabinets are full. We are sitting a bit heavier in the water now that we are fully loaded. Also Bill has finally gotten his TO DO list down to the few remaining items so he sees the light at the end of the tunnel!! We have researched the charts and guide books and have a tentative pla...
Day 12 We left our anchorage at sunrise to head out of Great Sale Cay Harbor. Turning west and then north, we will cruise around Great Sale Cay toward Abaco's barrier islands, eventually reaching the eastern edge of the Little Bahama Bank today. As we turn Northeast, we get some spray. Crustacean is quite salty now! Winds are out of the east 10-15 knots with waves at one foot. We cruise past Little Sale Cay we see a steady stream of sailboats going both east and west. I counted 15 total. Nice wind for sailing. Halfway through our trip, you begin to see the outer barrier islands on the horizon to the north. Five miles later you can see Little Abaco Island to our south. Here is a chart of the area we traveled from Great Sale to Allan's-Pensacola Cay today. The further we travel east, the Little Bahama Bank narrows, The winds pick up and seas run 1-2 feet. Crustacean got even saltier! As we approached Allan's-Pensacola the wind and sea...
Day 24 We had a change of plans. Our friends who we met cruising the Loop, Trisha and Mike, are traveling north through the Bahamas and are close, so we will join then in Hope Town. We will then back track a bit to visit Man-o-War Cay and Marsh Harbor after visiting with them. It is a bright sunny day with light winds as we weigh anchor to leave Great Guana. There is lots of freight and commercial traffic today- tugs and barges, large freighters and flat bed delivery boats. It takes all these to handle the shipping needs and construction on the islands. We trip today took along the north east side of Great Guana and then past Scotland Cay, which is all privately owned. Next we passed Fowl Cay which is a nature preserve known for its diving. Following Fowl Cay is Man-o-War Channel with its deep water access to the Atlantic and Man-o-War Cay, known for its ship building and maintenance. Sorry, pictures of the passes and islands did not turn out too well...
