Day 64 across Lake Okeechobee

Day 64 started as we left Moore Haven at 7:15 am to cross Lake Okeechobee and end up at ???

We started early as we had a bunch of options for our destination, and obviously, some were further than others. Almost immediateely, we went under a high fixed bridge followed by the Moore Haven Lock wgere we went up a couple of feet. We are learning and improving our locking technique. We were now at the level of Lake Okeechobee, but we had to follow an artificial ditch/canal for 12 miles south along the edge of the lake to Clewiston where we actually entered the lake to go across. They appear to have dug this channel to build a levee/dam along the western side of the lake to control flooding down stream.

This picture shows the intrepid bird watcher doing her thing. Apparently, we saw many different species of birds around, along and over the lake, including this great picture that the Admiral took of this osprey checking out the lakes navigation.

I really have to admit that I have become rather fond of ospreys, partly as a result of this trip.

This is part of Clewiston as seen through a lock that you only pass through in order to get to the town. It also serves as a flood gate along the (lower) western side of the lake. The town is famous as the location of the Roland Martin marina, inn and resort (?).  Martin is one of the fishing gurus on Sunday morning TV... 

The next picture shows a park at Clewiston along the side of the "dam" along this side of the lake. Instead of going into the town, we turned east and headed out into Lake Okeechobee.

The vegetation changed dramatically since we were in fresh water.  

One major change was the lack of mangroves along the islands formed with dredge spoil. Instead, you get what looks like a sea of grass on the low flat islands.

The several hour trip across the lake was "disrupted" by three rain storms so this view of rain pelting the window in front of the captain is what we saw for about half of the trip. Actually, the trip was pretty good, except for one of the storms with 20+ mph winds and waves in the 2+ foot range. Once again, all of the many navigation "toys" that we have made the trip uneventful. At the east side of the lake, in order to even leave the lake, you have to pass through the Port Mayaca lock, which exits into the St. Lucie Canal that take you the final 24 miles to Stuart on the Atlantic coast. Imediately after exiting the lock you go under a high fixed highway bridge followed quickly be this railroad lift bridge.  When I first saw this bridge, I thought that there is no way that there is 49 feet of vertical clearance... However, our 18.5 feet fit nicely under it. Remember, this whole area is basically a swamp so the roads, railroads, town, etc are usually built on fill from dredging channels like the ones that we have been using.

I will close with one bit of useless information.  Evidently, a lot of the huge, high dollar sport fishing boats take this route across Florida going to pick up charters at deep sea fishing tournaments. There are stickers like these along the top wall of all of the locks along our route. Probably more of a status thing than real advertising?

Tonight we are staying in the River Forest Marina, which is about 15 miles short of Stuart and the coast. After 8 hours "on the road", we kind of ran out of steam before making it all of the way to the east coast. However, tomorrow is another day!