TwoGether

Friday 3/2/12

This morning Linda mentioned how you don’t have the quiet and serene evenings  when you’re tied up in a marina like you do when cruising. We were pretty tired and were already in bed by 9:00P last night.   There was a light fog this morning but we were underway by 8:30A.  I noticed Mr. Alligator was patrolling his domain earlier this morning but was nowhere to be seen as we passed by.

I believe Linda likes the Caloosahatchee River the best of any water we cruised on so far. We only passed three cruisers on the River.  For the most part we had it all to ourselves.

We made Moore Haven Lock by 11:30 and were traveling along the southern rim canal of Lake Okeechobee and came upon a construction sign.  That was a first for us.  It appears they are building a coffer dam to do some kind of work along the shoreline. There was quite a bit of activity along the levy.  There are numerous sites where they are building up along the ridge road even though there isn’t any noticeable erosion.

 

 

At 12:30 we left the canal and turned north into the channel going into the open waters of Lake Okeechobee.  The lake was rather calm with waves less than one foot and the ride was a gentle sway. 

Linda was at the helm for most of the crossing and I went out on the front deck and enjoyed the breeze.

The water level of Lake Okeechobee and the St Lucie Canal is the same right now so when we arrived at Port Mayaca Lock only the gates on the lake side was closed. When Linda called the Lockmaster he said the gate will be open by the time we arrive and to continue straight through. 

Just past the lock is a set of dolphins to tie up to for the night.  But this time we had company.  There were two Army Corps of Engineers tugboats and a barge. 

After we got tied up and settled in I realized we had more company.  Just off the starboard bow along the shoreline was another alligator.  He looked to be about the same size as the one yesterday; about five feet.  He stayed in that position for over an hour.  I thought he left but noticed it had turned straight towards us!  But he just laid there.

Tonight won’t be as quiet since we are tied up about 200 yards from a busy bridge.  Still it will be nice when the traffic dies down this evening.

Total cruising boats past, 6.  Three were on the Caloosahatchee and three on Lake Okeechobee.

Total alligators sighted 7.

Port Mayaca dolphins:        N 26° 59.172             W 080° 36.860

 PS:

Just as I was finishing the blog, the alligator swam right in front of the boat headed to the other side of the canal.  I was so excited I almost peed myself!  Hey…I haven’t been around alligators in the wild for 33 years!