First Light

Many years ago, on my first ICW trip as a crew member aboard Capt Preston (Padden) boat, I asked him what time we would get underway in the morning. He said, rather matter of factly, "at first light". So you mean at sunrise, right? "No" he said looking at me like I was a total rookie, "sunrise doesn't happen until about 20 minutes later. So if you've ever been up really early in the morning and the sky has just a hint of light to it, THAT is first light.

And today, we left at "first light".

"First Light"

Now for those of you that know my wife (the Admiral) well, this is NOT her idea of a good time. In fact, getting up in the dark is normally only reserved for the airport when she's anxious to go see the grandkids. But today, we needed to make the Ortona Lock in time for their early opening. Even though the official lake level was above the 12.5 foot restricted opening this morning, it was just three one hundredths of a foot (0.03) above. That, was a little too close for comfort, so getting an early start was the prudent thing to do. We also had a rather large storm front forecast to pass over the area later in the day, so the further and faster we could distance ourselves that, the better.

So, at first light. as we pull out of the narrow canal from River Forest ("in the middle of nowhere"), we see a rather large black mongoose at waters edge, grab his breakfast -- a 4 foot water moccasin! Needless to say, the Admiral was really not happy now!

But as we turned into the Okeechobee Waterway, we were treated to a beautiful sunrise, water as calm as it gets, and the sounds and sights of birds flying along the shoreline. I'm not sure that made for the whole first light and snake thing, but at least it was an improvement!

We made the Ortona Lock without issue and were fortunate that the lock restrictions remained off the entire day. The long run across Lake Okeechobee was not only uneventful (the way I like it) but once we arrived on the other side at the Port Mayaca Lock, the lock was open and allowed us to pass straight through -- I guess one of the advantages of the low lake level today.

Large front on our tail as we cross the lake

Waiting for the Indiantown Railroad Bridge to open after the train passes.

Port St. Lucie Lock -- that last one!

Six hours later we arrive in Stuart at one of our favorite marinas, Sunset Bay Marina. Dinner tonight at "Sailors Return" restaurant will be especially sweet given the events of the day.

I'm thinking it will be a "first dark" to bed tonight for both of us!

Half Way Through

This morning we were treated to a glorious sunrise over Pine Island Sound as we prepared to depart South Seas Yacht Harbor. The winds were blowing out of the south at 10-12 kts so the first part of the journey was a bit "choppy" but nothing to complain about!

Sunrise over Pine Island Sound

We worked our way towards Ft. Myers through a parade of fishing boats heading out to the Gulf for the day. Since I do my best to be a courteous and considerate Captain, we had to slow down quite a bit in order to not "wake" some of the small fishing boats. Not really a problem under normal circumstances, but knowing we might be faced with restricted lock openings due to low water levels, getting behind schedule was not part of of my schedule!

Approaching the W.P. Franklin Lock

Locking through the Ortona Lock

But we did just fine and made the first two locks and a bridge opening without issue. Having run the Okeechobee Waterway multiple times now, I was able to time the first part of our crossing in a more leisurely and relaxed manner. Our plan was to go just past the Ortona Lock to River Forest for the night.

Since we are truly in "the middle of nowhere" we will be dining on board tonight on frozen microwave dinners and perhaps a well deserved cocktail and bottle of wine!

Days end -- River Forest Yachting Center

Time to unwind from a days journey!

Now, having said all that, tomorrow could be a challenge.

Lake Okeechobee and the Everglades National Park water management system is supervised by the Army Corps of Engineers utilizing a strict protocol for maintaining the proper water levels. As a result, if the lake level drops below a certain point (less than 12.5 feet) the lock openings go into a restricted mode of operation. This means getting to and between the next lock can be a challenge based on the distance and speed at which you can travel.

This morning the official lake level was 12.63 feet so we were close to the restriction, but still able to move through the locks "on demand". By the time we arrived at River Forest (about half way through), the lake level had dropped to 12.51 feet. If tomorrow morning the lake level is below 12.5 feet, the locks will only open every two hours -- and we have three locks and Lake Okeechobee to navigate.

Keep your fingers crossed!

And we're off!

It was hard to leave Longboat Key this morning given the beautiful clear blue sunshine filled skies, calm waters and gentle breeze. But leave we must (and did) at 9am for the first part of journey toward the east coast of Florida.

Since we departed at low tide, we decided to forgo New Pass where we could have run into shallow water problems with the connecting channel to Sarasota Bay. Endless Summer draws 4 feet and the charts we indicating as little as 4.2 feet of water -- that's just a little too close for comfort!

Endless Summer ready for departure 

Longboat Key Club Moorings - Our Winter Home

We stayed on the "inside" of the Gulf Intracoastal Waterway until we reached Venice about two hours later. From there we opted to go out into the Gulf of Mexico for remainder of the trip to Captiva Island. The seas were only 1 foot and gently breaking on our bow. We came through Red Fish Pass and into South Seas Island Yacht Harbor.

We spent the afternoon on the beach taking in the last of the breaking Gulf surf, salt air breeze, white sand with seagulls dancing along the shoreline. When we returned to the boat dock, we found about 6 manatees feeding in the warm harbor waters with some "new borns" in tow. As a protected species these gentle sea cows are few in number and in danger from passing boats. A good reminder that we all share the same water, the same environment, the same planet.

All in all it was a good, no make that great, first day!

Nothing better than a long walk on the beach

The yacht harbor was filled with Manatees and their young

Looking north over Lands End at South Seas Island Resort

Sunset over the Gulf the Mexico

Heading Out - 1st Stage

It’s time once again for us to start the process of moving Endless Summer north for the season. The first step will be to move her from Longboat Key on the West coast of Florida to Cocoa on the East coast. Weather and seas permitting, we plan to do this 320 mile run in 4 days via the Okeechobee Waterway. 

This involves transiting 5 locks from west to east and crossing Lake Okeechobee, the second largest fresh water lake in the United States (Lake Michigan is first). Unfortunately, due to current low water levels in the lake, the Army Corps of Engineers has placed restrictions on the number of lock openings each day. This means we have to stop in “the middle of nowhere” (LaBelle)  for one night which provides a unique opportunity to get up close and personal with the alligators, mosquitos, snakes and Florida crackers that inhabit these parts! (The Admiral is just thrilled).

Below is our float plan and route map. If you want to follow along, use this Endless Summer Tracker link. It will be active whenever we are underway and leaves a “bread crumb” trail of our progress and stops.  

Wednesday 3/29

Longboat Key (Longboat Key Club Moorings)

to

Sanibel (South Seas Yacht Harbor)

66 miles, 4.5 hours

Thursday 3/30

Sanibel (South Seas Yacht Harbor)

to

LaBelle (River Forest Yachting Center)

68 miles, 2 locks,  6.0 hours

Friday 3/31

LaBelle (River Forest Yachting Center)

to

Stuart (Sunset Bay Marina)

81 miles, 3 locks, 8.0 hours

Saturday 4/1

Stuart (Sunset Bay Marina)

to

Cocoa (Cocoa Village Marina)

96 miles, 5 hours

Once in Cocoa, Endless Summer will dock there until April 22nd when we will start our trip north up the Intracoastal Waterway to Essex Connecticut for the summer (more on that later!)