Events of the Day: [NOTE: wifi too erratic, so I will upload the photos tomorrow when we have better connectivity.]

Traveled 69 miles to Clewiston, Roland & Mary Ann Martins Marina, on the western shore of L. Okeechobee. Took 7.6 hrs, three locks, and 1 swing bridge. A swing bridge is one which pivots on a central pillar allowing boats to pass on either side of that pillar - the west-bound on their 'right' side, the east-bound on our 'right' side; we have to call the bridge master on the VHF to ask them to rotate the bridge; we were lucky and it was almost just a quick idle through. The photo we uploaded though is of a single drawbridge [only one side lifts up]; there are lots of the double drawbridges [or 'bascule'] and will send a photo later; the swing bridge photo will also come later.

The locks are quite different from those we know on the Tennessee River and Tombigbee R. These, on the Okeechobee Water Way[OWW], have lifts/drops of only 3-7 ft, and have lines/ropes hanging down from the upper rails, which we must grab and can wrap around a cleat, but cannot leave tied; the lock-masters are friendly and helpful. Only took about 20min. max from entering the lock to leaving it; and actually only 5 min. at the last one, Moore Haven, because the lake is so low that there was only about 1/2 ft of water level difference. The locks fill by gravity flow from the upstream side through the lock doors; it is weird to see the gates open about 1-2 ft and watch a 3-7 ft high wall of water start pouring through the narrow gap. There is a lot of turbulence at the 'filling' end so the lock master directed us to one of the mid-lock tie-up areas.

We had 10-20 ft of depth for most of the Caloosahatchee R. portion; but once passed through the last lock, the canal ran mostly parallel to the lake shore and we were in 5-12 ft; had one spot flagged on our charts as being a high risk for an obstruction or shallow area, right across from a Hoover Dike flow control point, so we ran the 100 yds on idle and were extra vigilant, but saw no issues. The H.Hoover Dike or Levee system encloses L.Okeechobee to control water flow and irrigation; from the water side, one can't see the land beyond, and apparently from the land side, one can not see the lake [per sis.in.law Pat Briggs].

Several photos show some of the real estate along the way - a lot of nice homes - until we passed the 2nd lock, when it became mostly canals [see photo] and relatively boring - didn't see any gators or snakes, but did see some cows ambling along the south shoreline 'cow path', which reminded us of friend Duane McCartney's cow and range management research and stories. Also, a picture of our Mascot, Mikey the Moose, is nestled into the couch, protected [from a fall when we get 'waked'] with pillows instead of at his usual perch above in the corner.

There is a photo of Legacy Harbor as we are departing - a better perspective than those taken within the marina. One photo shows the Ft.Myers Nuclear Power Plant, where the manatees like to congregate because of the water water from the cooling towers; it also shows more crab pot floats.

The Roland Martin Marina is quite a place: the transient tie-ups are all on a face dock on the canal [see photo], meaning no slips with fingers to squeeze between. The dock master was most helpful, directing us from the time I called him on the radio a quarter mile out, and taking our lines to tie up. He warned us to NOT swim anywhere in the region, due to the gators.

We had supper there, their famous hamburgers which are very much like what we would cook at home - 7 oz burger with sauteed onions, etc. The staff all wear masks and will not let customers into the eating/ordering area - you have to wait outside and the waitress comes to get your order. Impressive.

Tomorrow, we leave around 07:00 to get across L.Okeechobee before a wind gets up; winds are forecast for only 2-3 kts until later in the morning when start to get up to 10+ and can make staying in the narrow channel more of a challenge. The depths are a minimum of 5 ft according to the dock master here and with our draft of 3'8" he said we won't have to worry - as long as we stay in the center of the channel!! :)

Keep on distancing and staying in touch. It's another day tomorrow.

Comments:

Ernie R  •  18 May, 2020: Rob, the gators are all tame! Just check the swim platform and door frequently as some of them are lazy and will tailgate!