Crossing Lake Okeechobee

We began early...too early for cruisers! We were the last boat on the dock when we pulled out at 830a...two boats went toward the west coast and two, “Journey” and “Miss gg” toward the east. We were up early because crossing a large body of water is usually best in early morning...water calmer.

We came to the first lock right away.

Don't be fooled by that gorgeous blue sky.....it was 36 degrees when we woke up and 40 when we departed!  We certainly didn't bring warm gloves knowing this would happen to us in Florida! huh?.....I don't remember being so cold on water!  We use the lock's lines which dangle in the water and it is the wet end I must cleat on the fore deck and side deck.  I was glad for the Captain's help..... and that we were only going up about one foot in the lock so I soon was back inside on the bridge.

However, the sun kept behind the clouds for most of today's trip so the bridge was also cold. The Captain is trying to keep his hands warm.

  

And the First mate is wrapped in a blanket!

We attracted about 20 sea gulls all flying behind Miss gg...looking for fish we might churn up I suppose... I didn't want to unzip the sundeck smiley to take this photo so snapped it through the Isinglass.... a bit blurry.

We were making our way toward Lake Okeechobee in a narrow canal that became even smaller when we came to this construction area!  We had to stay between those red balls and the green ones attached to the bottom of this steal structure.

Here the canal has widened.  

We could not see the lake for all the high weeds beside this canal.

It was very shallow just off this channel...sometimes only inches deep!

Then we were finally in the Lake....we could only see the land in one direction as we got further and further out into the middle of the lake.

  

This Lake is the 2^nd largest natural fresh water lake within the lower 48 states.  It is 730 Sq. miles, the size of Rhode Island and the average depth is only 9 feet.   It is a limestone basin.

The Sugar Cane burning continued today and we could not only see it but also SMELL the fires back on the land behind us.

Since we could smell the fires we should have known that the ashes were falling on us.  After we docked today the Captain tried sweeping them off but they tended to crush and smear black on the deck.....Miss gg will need a good hosing down at a port where we will be away from the continuing ash fall.

There was a light chop on the water but it became a bit worse making me decide to put on my sea bands just in case.  As we approached the other side of the Lake this eased up a lot....we were then protected by the curve of the land around the Lake....even though it seemed far away it made a big difference in our ride.

This is the Port Mayaca lock and we think # 149 for us.... and it will always be our favorite lock. Can you tell why?...before I reveal it?....

We are heading into the lock.

AND here we are piloting the boat THROUGH it!

YES! The water level was such that they didn't need to bring the water up or down ...we didn't tie up....both gates were opened!  Everyone going through it kept remarking on the radio how it was the best lock of all....must have been lock-wearied Loopers!

Right after the lock we came to this raised railroad bridge.

Now we were in the St. Lucie Canal which will take us to Stuart, FL on another day.

We are docked at Indian Town, FL next to our buddies on “Journey” but will probably go separate ways tomorrow.....we are back to the no-plan plan....lovin' it!

We have one last lock to traverse...yeah, we will be glad and at the same time a bit sad knowing our wonderful Adventure has to come to an end one day. We are so blessed to have been able to do this....we also know that many of you have prayed for our good health to continue...we are again thankful for you.