• 45NorthAmericas Great LoopTraveler
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    1The Franklin LockThe WP Franklin Lock. Our first for the day, 4 miles up a mirrored river.Rosie discusses the chances of seeing a Manatee, with the Lockmaster (mistress?).We've come 33 miles. 121 yet to go...The Port Mayaca and St. Lucie Locks are on the other (eastern) side of Lake Okeechobee1SIR WINSTON (formerly named The Grand Princess and The Grand Floridian)Riverside residenceRiverside residence under constructionRiverside residence1Florida wildlife. Wait... no, it's cattle.This riverside place is a ranchRed riverside residence1The Moore Haven railroad swing-bridge opens for us (and a westbound vessel)Drawbridge videoTurning at Moore Haven to follow the 'lake' around to ClewistonWhy we couldn't see the lake (red), and tomorrow's course estimate (yellow)Cypress trees love wet feet. The Okeechobee Waterway (and why we can't see the lake)More cypress trees in the lakeside waterway1If you go straight ahead here, you're standing into VERY shallow water. Turn right...!"Herons on cypress." Ok, enuff of the cypress trees...Alongside for the night. The bar is beyond... 😋A local lizard of the genus 'large'...Up to the minute weather report, courtesy of Roland Martin MarinaWho doesn't love a marina Tiki Bar?

    Day 44: Fort Myers to Clewiston

    November 16 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 23 °C

    [Photos to be added]
    We depart the Sweetwater Marina at 0815, with Rosie passing the lines as I'm a bit injured. Yesterday, while stepping off the boat I had to reach my foot across to gain the dock and our power cable was right there, lying along the dock. It was where my foot wanted to go, so I stepped on it. Bad idea! It rolled under my flip-flop and I went down on both knees (don't tell my orthopaedic surgeon) and strained something in my upper left chest area. Rosie got the First Aid kit out and dressed my knee wounds, and I limped over to the bar for some more meaningful treatment. I spent a slightly uncomfortable night and am a bit ginger this morning.

    The Caloosahatchee River is mirror-smooth on a beautiful 15C morning, and we move about 4 miles up-river to the first Lock, a minor lift of only a few feet. The river is scenic. We see landscaped residences for the monied folk and less-landscaped residences for the less-so. We see boats and docks. We see people fishing. Everything is sunny and calm. It's Florida in November, after all.

    I'm familiar with Clewiston--our destination today--having come there from Lake Placid with my brother and his wife on a "Sugar Express" steam-hauled excursion train prior to commencing the northbound half of my Loop journey back on 14 April. Our railroader captain, Preston, was running the locomotive on that day--something he does regularly every year--so he's well-familiar with Clewiston.

    I've lost the rest of this narrative now, twice, trying to get it done with stuff going on around me and I've not the energy to rewrite it a third time, so I'm just ending it here... unfinished. Goodnight!    Read more