Thursday 3/1/12. Going way back to November, while we were cruising south on Chesapeake Bay, Linda’s Dad has been saying it's time to for us to make a U-turn. Well Dale, it finally happened and today is the day.
After everything on the checklist was completed, except for taking on fuel, we left the slip for the fuel dock. Dean gave us a hand with the lines and made sure we were shipshape. In the office, Denise was adding up the damages for our stay. Leif, the Dock Master, was busy with a customer so we didn’t have a chance to say good bye to him. Everybody, and I wish I could list all the names, (but I’d probably forget some) at the Yacht Basin was great to deal with. They have a friendly staff that has a way of making you feel at home. We were underway from the Fort Myers Yacht Basin at 10:45A. 
We locked through the Franklin Lock, near Alva, with a sailboat from England. We didn’t have a chance to ask it they sailed it over or shipped it over. Either way they’re a long way from home.
When we reached the swing bridge at Ft. Denaud, it was under repair. It appeared they were working on the electrical panel that opens the span. The bridge tender asked the workers, how long until they could open the bridge and the answer was 15 to 20 minutes. Sure enough in just over 20 minutes we cleared the span and continued on our way. The workers apologized for the delay as we passed through but we told them we’re in no hurry. Linda thanked them and shouted back, “I hope you can get it closed or you will be stuck in the middle of the river.” The one worker yelled, “Don’t worry we’ll get ‘er closed.”
Every once in a while we would catch the sweet aroma of a blooming Gardenia bush. We had one in our front yard years ago. It’s such a sweet and pleasant scent.
We decided to lock through at Ortona Lock and tie up at the dolphins we used on the way down. 
Shortly after we had everything secured I spotted an alligator in the river about 50 yards from the boat. It looked to be about five feet long. I grabbed the video camera and in my excitement I didn’t hit the record button. But I did get a rough picture when it was nearly 100 yards away.
Franklin Lock: N 26° 43.364 W 081° 41.587
Ft Denaud: N 26° 44.688 W 081° 30.620Ortona Lock: N 26° 37.331 W 081° 18.248
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