3/13- 3/16 Across the Okeechobee Waterway

March 13
The Okeechobee Waterway cuts right through Florida, from the western Gulf coast over to the eastern Atlantic coast.

We departed at first light, now later with the time change, 07:30. Passed by Sanibel Island, then turned north onto the Caloosahatchee River. Another beautiful day!

Entering the waterway

Saw numerous farms and orange orchards along the way. A big change, very rural!

Went through the first of 5 locks on this trip. Like an elevator going up!

Bob holding the lock lines. It sometimes got a little choppy.

Spent the night at a free dock in La Belle and met several other boaters at the dock transiting. 

March 14

We continued on and made it to Moore Haven. It was a rather depressed waterfront city.  But we found an outstanding little Mexican restaurant we could walk to. Saw a lot of alligators today, onshore and swimming along the shoreline.

This big guy is sunning on the rock.

March 15

Headed out again on the canal. And then entered Lake Okeechobee.

Travelled 19 miles across the lake to a more narrow canal.  Went through another lock and then saw the dreaded 49 foot railroad bridge. Our mast is 47 feet plus antennae and wind instruments.

We inched through under this bridge with Carol on the bow. Made it with about 6" to spare! What a relief!

Our last lock on the St Lucie River.  Elevator going down!

Spent the night at Indiantown Marina.  This is a popular spot to store your boat if you want to skip the trip north on the ICW.

March 16

Finished the waterway and arrived on the east coast of Florida- Stuart and the Sunset Bay Marina.