Lake Okeechobee – 6/22/2014

7:23 AM. We departed Moore Haven, FL without much effort. The side-tie on the canal there was perfect for an easy launch. Reed, our dock mate, had left at 7:00 AM.

At 7:45, we exited the Moore Haven Lock. The wind made it a bit difficult, and “Secret Egret” insisted on sticking to the wall of the lock when we were trying to leave. That was a bit stressful, but as soon as we came out of it we saw an alligator for the first time on this trip. Its tail swayed back and forth as it swam about and we enjoyed watching it as we made our way around the corner toward Lake Okeechobee.

There wasn’t much to see along the trek after Moore Haven Lock. We saw more alligators and some birds. The north side of the canal was more natural than the south, which was nothing but a dyke. This continued for miles until we reached Lake Okeechobee.

  

We are glad about the decision we made to cross the lake today rather than going on the rim. From what we’ve been told, the rim would have added another hour to our trip; it had a more shallow depth, and was an even further extension of what we had just gone through after Moore Haven. The rim is what goes around the bottom of the lake; the alternate route is crossing it.

We had been watching Reed cross the Okeechobee for a while (at least we were almost certain it was him). We watched his maneuvers and mimicked them for our own confidence. After all, we learned a little bit about Reed last night. He invited us over to his boat, “Far Reaches,” for a visit. We chatted with him for a bit, and found out that he has owned operated his year 1975 42’ Grand Banks for 14 years.

Reed had spotted us too, because as we got closer to the other side of Okeechobee, he radioed “American Tug.” That’s us! Ashley called back and Reed suggested that we meet up at the next lock. So we did.

Three boats in Mayaca Lock, “Mary Ann” in front, “Far Reaches” next, and we were last. We had a chat with Reed while the lock filled with one foot of water this time. Though, it was the slowest lock yet! Reed was headed to Indian Town to store his trawler for the summer. He went on ahead after we exited the lock and we cruised within sight of each other all the way up until his stop at Indian Town. We are learning that cruising with another boat can be good for moral support; just chatting over the radio about meeting up at the next lock or the visual of a familiar boat out there with you while traversing new territory is uplifting. 

♦

At 3:53 PM, we exited the St. Lucie Lock. This one drained 15 feet while we were in it instead of the rising water; which we were accustomed to by now. We didn’t have an opportunity to do the photos like we did in the other locks, since this time we had to tend to our lines and let them out as the water dropped. Ah, but we have time lapse.

We reached our planned destination of Stuart, FL at 5:15 PM today. Yesterday we traveled for precisely nine hours and today, almost ten. We are absolutely exhausted. So first dinner, a couple of beers, and good night!