Labelle

We're back in LaBelle. Everyone thought we were crazy to leave today. There's all kinds of bad weather advisories today. There's a small craft warning, high wind advisory and gale warnings. We went through the Franklin Lock. The Lock master said he was surprised to see anyone on the move in a boat today. It was too windy to hold onto the ropes in the lock, so Al had to use the engine and thrusters to keep us stationary in the lock. It would have been smart to stay put, but we are scheduled to get hauled and have the bottom painted tomorrow morning at River Forest Yacht Center of LaBelle.

We had a great time at Looper-palooza in Fort Myers. We were reunited with our friends from the Loop. We met Average Looper, Navigator, Errante, Grand Finale now with a new boat named Stars and Stripes, Marabeel and several others. We also made many new friends. We also got some useful info from several of the seminars we attended. We also took a tour of the Eddison & Ford Winter Estates. 

Our plans to get to the LaBelle City Dock today were almost stopped by the Fort Denaud Swing Bridge. It's a very old bridge and the bridge tender is not allowed to open the bridge in extreme high winds. Just as we got to the bridge to request an opening, a squall came through with wind over 40mph and heavy rain. The bridge tender told us sorry, but she can't open the bridge until the wind drops below 30mph. We rode out the squall in the middle of the channel with nowhere to hide. After about 15-20 min the wind calmed just enough for the bridge to open. We got through and the bridge tender quickly closed the bridge. We got to the LaBelle City Dock and had a pretty hairy docking experience because of the high winds, but now we're tucked in safe and sound.

Tomorrow we plan to head to River Forest Yacht Center to have the boat hauled and the bottom painted. It will be the first time that Al won't be taking care of his own bottom. We were quoted a price from the marina that's cheaper than if Al would do the job himself! We'll see how it goes. We'll get a rental car and motel for a few days while the work is being done. 

Statue of Eddison at the Eddison & Ford Winter Estate Tour

Cool water fountain on the tour

Railroad Bridge

Franklin Lock

Back in LaBelle. It's one of our favorite stops. It's tough to beat a free dock with water & electric, in a town with a couple of good restaurants.

Fort Myers

We're in Fort Myers for Looper-palooza. We're staying at the City of Fort Myers Yacht Basin. 

After we pulled in, all Al wanted to do was wash the boat. It was covered in black ash from the burning of the sugar cane fields. I don't think the boat was ever this dirty! He hooked up the hose, and surprise no water. Earlier today a boat a couple of slips away from us hit the dock and broke the water line. The marina promised us a plumber would be on seen in an hour. I didn't really believe them! After an hour or so a plumber did show up. It only took him a couple of minutes to fix the water line. Al was able to wash the boat. All was good! Then we took off on our bikes to explore the downtown area.

Leaving LaBelle early

Waiting for Fort Denaud Swing Bridge to open. Wonder where the fort is?

A cow getting a drink from the waterway.

Franklin Lock

Leaving the country, and back in a big city.

LaBelle

Another great day on the water! The weather is perfect. Can't believe how many really big alligators we've been seeing!

Stopped at the free dock in the town of LaBelle. There's a good Bar B Q joint in town. We'll hit that later. This is one of our favorite stops.

Leaving Clewiston

Fog on the water

Birds of a feather?

Big gator

Moore Haven Lock

Moore Haven Railroad Swing Bridge

Cow along the waterway

Ortona Lock 

Construction by the lock

Another really big gator

Saw an eagle snatch a fish right out of the water

Love a free dock with water and electric

Took Hooper on a dinghy ride. Looking for alligators.

Wonder if it's the same car we saw in Michigan?

Roland & Mary Ann Martins Marina

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

St. Lucie Lock

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

Port Mayaca Lock

Clewiston Lock

They still have this old rust bucket in place

Giant iguana