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!