2/14 - 2/21/23 - Ft. Myers to Ft. Pierce (Called an Audible - Crossing Okeechobee)

CHANGE IN THE GAME PLAN:  We have had a month-long reservation (2/24 - 3/24) at Marathon Marina for quite a while, but several factors contributed to scrapping the Keys and crossing Lake Okeechobee to the east coast of FL:

• This is our 6th year cruising the Great Loop.  Our idea of getting a head start by segment Looping while we were still working, backfired when we decided to buy a more livable cruiser in 2021.
• Because we found the Mainship in Port Washington, WI (40 miles north of where we began the Loop in 2017 (Racine, WI), we've spent 2022/2023 repeating our course/segments.
• Sooooo, as much as we loved Marathon when we stayed there March 2021, we decided to focus on gaining miles instead of repeating them.
• In lieu of the Keys, we are considering doing the St. John's River.
• We're feeling the repercussions of missing family events, and while we aren't rushing the trip, we want to move it along.
• Fuel prices are also a contributing factor.

Tues, 2/14/23 - Happy Valentine's Day Ft. Myers to LaBelle (19.5NM). Bidding Sweetwater farewell, we rejoined the Caloosahatchee, reaching the Franklin Lock 5 miles ahead.  It was a quick locking.  The chartbook indicated a 3-foot rise, but the Lockmaster told us we were only going up 1.5 feet.  I'm not a fan of the locks that you have to use their line that drops down the wall.  They're wet, dirty and hard to hang on to!

• The remaining 14 miles were uneventful, and much greener than the Ft. Myers area behind us.
• Interesting face:  Florida is ranked 10th in the nation in number of beef cows in 2021. (Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services).
• Driving/cruising through Florida, you randomly see herds of cows, many   times in unlikely places!

• 
  Fort Denaud gave us another opportunity to see a swing bridge in operation.

• We're still in kind of a marina desert, and many of the LaBelle marinas don't have power.
• The Rivers Edge Marina is actually associated with the Anchor Inn Cottages, a Motel in LaBelle. 
• New ownership has made a considerable investment in the property to include new docks and a tiki bar that is under construction. 
• They don't have power yet, but one night on the powerless dock was still pretty nice.
• Our dock rental included privileges to the pool and gym facilities, which included a top-notch shower room complete with toiletries and towels!

Rivers Edge Marina, LaBelle

Rivers Edge or Anchor Inn Motel??

• We called the local taxi to take us .5 miles into town - LOL
• 
  Then we WALKED the additional 1 mile to the new LaBelle Brewery, which incidentally is owned by the Anchor Inn proprietor - he's really investing in the community!
• Our friend Dave Stahl winters in LaBelle so he came by and had dinner with us and drove us around LaBelle and back to the marina.
  

Wed, 2/15 - Labelle to Moore Haven (20.5NM).   We had a short cruising day on the Caloosahatchee channel leading to Okeechobee. 10 miles from the LaBelle bridge we entered the Ortona Lock to bring us up 8 feet.

• 5 more miles brought us to River House Marina in Moore Haven.  We stayed at River House in 2021 when we crossed Okeechobee from the east.  The marina has 6 slips that line up along the wall, on the North side of the channel. Nothing fancy, but they have power, shower and a pool.
• It was our good fortune that Gold Loopers, Captains Bob & Pat aboard Velo-mer, were on the dock.  They had lots of good advice for us about the east side of Florida and particularly the St. John's River - we're becoming more interested in adding that to our itinerary.
• Dave & Stephanie picked us up for dinner - for those keeping count, Dave & Stephanie came to see us in Ft. Myers, Labelle and Moore Haven!
• Dave drove us around both LaBelle and Moore Haven to show us the sites.
• At the end of the marina road is a boat ramp  . . .  and a Gun Range!

Thurs, 2/16/23 - Moore Haven to Clewiston (11.3 NM). We got a little distracted talking to the crew of Velo-mer, and before we knew it the clock read 10:45 - short cruise today, but still gotta get going!

• As we were pulling away from the dock, James & Lorraine passed us on Northern Escape (Hershine Newburyport 37).  We followed them into the Moore Haven Lock and learned that we were all heading to the same destination.
• Moore Haven lock brought us up 4 feet.
• After 13 miles of beautiful scenery along the Okeechobee channel we were at the lock that sits between Okeechobee and the famous Roland Martin Marina.
• The Clewiston "lock" is actually a dike that is usually open.  It was operating when we went through, controlling about 1.5" of water.
• We didn't spot any gators, but Pelicans must receive a lot of gifts from Okeechobee fishermen.  I thought this guy/gal might board us!

• 
  THE famous Roland Martin Marina.  We remember watching this angler's NBC fishing show on Sunday mornings.
• The place is showing its age, but definitely still a destination we recommend if you're going by.
• Captain Sam greeted us and helped us tie up and shoot the bull for a while.
• The Tiki Bar is huge and well attended.
• James and Lorraine on Northern Escape joined us for a couple of beers and we exchanged stories of our mutual trips thus far.
• I walked over to the shower rooms, and decided to take a pass, but the laundry room looked great.
• Wifi was good too.
• Nebo was a little confused today as our log indicated that we traveled 1,623NM at an average speed of 736.8kts straight through Cuba and down to South America!

Fri, 2/17/23 - Clewiston to Stuart (Crossing Okeechobee) (42.9 NM).  At first light Northern Escape went through the tiny lock ahead of us and we grabbed the next one down.  We were on Okeechobee by 8:00 a.m.

• It was a gorgeous, calm day, which is good, because this "Lake" has an offshore feel.  There are many miles where land is not visible, and it can get pretty sporty out there!
• By 10:30 a.m. we were across and into Port Mayaca lock to drop another 2 feet.
• When we did a westerly crossing of Okeechobee in 2021, we were stunned by the antiquated process of burning the sugar cane fields.  Some research revealed that burning takes place 365 days a year to harvest the sugar cane all around Okeechobee.
• Our easterly crossing was no different - It took 3 baths before we had all the ashes off of Port-A-Gee.

• Seabirds taking refuge from the smoke:
• After locking through Port Mayaca we navigated the St. Lucie Canal 22 miles until we reached the St. Lucie Lock campground.
• Upon identifying our assigned slip, #5 it was pretty clear that squeezing in between the Mainship 39 and the finger dock was going to be a feat, if not impossible. The campground attendant insisted rules are rules, and we had to make it work.
• Jim & Linda fendered off Interlude and positioned themselves to help guide Port-A-Gee through.  Others on the docks also came to assist. The literal meaning of ALL HANDS ON DECK!
• Of course, Cap skillfully sterned her in without incident - but WOW, we were thisclose to Interlude for 2 days!

Sat, Feb 19 - St. Lucie Lock Campground.  We survived the night rafted to Interlude and looked forward to checking out our unique setting.  We never stayed at a campground before!

• I hopped on the ebike to check out a running route and discovered a cool area.  The campground continued to the south and was bustling with lots of Glampers, there was some really nice rigs in there!  The surrounding residential community was very nice too.
• Nice flat terrain for a good run.
• Spotted some Florida Sandhill Cranes:

• Brian did his best to de-ash Port-A-Gee, while I focused on the inside - ash everywhere!
• I decided the shower room was doable, but Brian said the men's room was not!
• We enjoyed the company of our dock mates:
• Jim & Linda on Interlude (39' Mainship)
• Glenn & Lorraine on Plan Sea (Ranger Tug / R-27 Outboard) - who just returned from 80 days in the Bahamas!

• SIDE NOTE: We love doing this trip, but the sting of missing family really hits sometimes.  We had 2 grandsons born last February (17th & 25th), so we're missing their 1st birthdays.
• Thanks to my daughter's Facetime call, we were able to join in wishing Jack a Happy Birthday!

Sun, Feb 19 - Stuart to Ft. Pierce (31.9nm).  At first light, all hands were on deck again, as Brian slid Port-A-Gee past Interlude, again without incident.

• We entered the St. Lucie lock for our final 13' descent.  This was our last lock for quite a while - YAY!!
• We anxiously watched the next 11 miles go until we were in NEW WATER - in 2 regards:
• 1 - New in terms of Loop route that we have not already navigated; and
• 2 - We have traded the Gulf of Mexico for the Atlantic Ocean, which will be hugging our Starboard until we reach the Great Lakes.
• Big Sailboat race on the Indian River Lagoon

• At 1:00 p.m., Fort Pierce was in view, but we had a new force of nature to deal with on the east side of Florida - tides and currents.
• Ft. Pierce hosts an inlet off the Ocean, so the water rushes in and out all day long creating a very aggressive current.  We were told by many people to enter the marina at slack tide, but we were early!
• No worries, between a little finessing by my capable Captain and the very helpful staff at Fort Pierce City Marina, it was no problem.
• Cap sterned Port-a-Gee into our slip, lassoed the pilings, plugged in and headed over to Cobb's Landing with our marina-issued 15% coupon!
• We're in race country, and we arrived at their Super Bowl - Daytona 500!  Let's say folks were enjoying themselves!

Mon, Feb 20 - Ft. Pierce City Marina:  We had plans to check out Ft. Pierce, but I had a persistent medical issue that I needed to address.  We Ubered to the local Urgent Care and left with a clean bill of health.

• In the evening, the Ft. Pierce Marina Live-aboards on Dock E invited us for docktails, so all was not lost.
• Such great folks with the most interesting stories! Unfortunately, we only collected cards from a few:
• Steve & Diane on Aurora (49' DeFever RPH) - our hosts
• Bill & Toni on Sea Gator (38' Marine Trader)
• Don & Cheryl on Old Glory (Tollycraft 43')

Tues, Feb 21 - Ft. Pierce City Marina:

• Chores in the morning, Brian defrosted the freezer while I did laundry in the very nice, air-conditioned marina facility.
• All of the facilities at Ft Pierce Marina were fantastic.  This is great place for an extended stay.
• In the afternoon, we were heading down the dock with our pull cart to walk 1/2 mile to the grocery store.  We were stopped by Don on Old Glory - Nonsense - take my car!
• Seriously, the boating community is the best!
• After we got groceries, we finally were able to walk into town, and sampled some great Sailfish Brews and pizza.

LEG STATS:

Miles: 81.6 Nautical Miles (19.5, 20.5, 11.3, 42.9, 31.9)

Locks: (5) Franklin, Moore Haven, Clewiston, Port Mayaca, St. Lucie

Marinas: (5) Rivers Edge/LaBelle, River House/Moore Haven, Roland Martin, St. Lucie Campground, Ft. Pierce City Marina

Anchorages: (0)