The day started with a beautiful sunrise. We had a great cruising day. It was sunny with a slight breeze. We had to go through a lock for the first time in several months. We felt a little rusty, but it was pretty easy. A giant manatee entered the St. Lucie Lock with us. The lock master said this was unusual, as most of the manatees are traveling east at this time of year. On the other side of the lock we spotted our first alligator. Now we have to be careful when we give Hooper shore leave. Because of the high water levels in Lake Okeechobee the Port Mayaca Lock and the Clewiston Lock were both open. Lake Okeechobee was calmer today than we ever saw it. The boat got covered in ash from the burning of sugar cane fields along the shore. What a mess!
We stopped for the night at Roland & Mary Ann Martins Marina. It's very redneck, but lot's of fun. We had a good dinner at the Tiki Bar.
Beautiful sunrise in Stuart
Waiting for the Old Roosevelt Bridge to open
A giant manatee went through the lock with us
Calm and peaceful Okeechobee Waterway
Hooper loved seeing a horse at the waters edge
This one started galloping along with us
Our first alligator sighting
Indiantown Railway Bridge. A train was on it's way, but the bridge tender said he had just enough time to open the bridge, let us through, and close the bridge before the train arrived. He did ask us to get past the bridge as quickly as possible!
Al gave Hooper shore leave, while I kept going in the mother ship
Port Mayaca Railway Lift Bridge. Looks like a guillotine
They still have this old rust bucket in place
