Clewiston, FL

After a liesurly departure from the River Forest we made our way through the Moore Haven lock and turned into the old Okeechobee Canal where we planned to anchor for the remainder of the day and overnight.  After setting the anchor we decieded that the channel was too narrow for swing room in case of a change in the wind direction.  We retrieved the anchor and got back into the Okechobee Waterway and headed for Clewiston.  The cruising guides said there were no anchorages in the Clewiston area and we knew we would have to go to the only marina in the area.  The thirteen mile trip was through a channel that ran between a huge levee and the edge of the lake.  However the lake was not visible the entire trip because of the old swamp vegitation that grows in this corner of the lake.  The cruising guide told us we would see several alligators in this area and we did.  We saw of least twenty five of them but none that we could get close enough to get a good pictures before they sunk under the water.  I guess they are camera shy and they certainly didn't bother the numerous small fishing boats in the waterway.

Finding Clewiston was interesting.  The entrance to the area is through a very narrow, short lock that was left open because of the low water level in the lake.  Once through the lock we found the funky old Roland Martin's Marina and tied up to a rickety old dock.  This is true Florida redneck fishing country and this area thrives on the fishing clientel who flock to this area for easy access to the lake.  Directly opposite the lock and across the waterway is the channel that leads to the open lake and the Okeechobee Lake crossing route. 

We were the first boat into the marina but it wasn't long before four other cruising boats made their way through the lock and tied up.  There is a Tiki Bar at the marina where we had dinner with one of the other cruising couples.  They are from Wichita, Kansas and have put on over 6,000 miles doing the loop during the last year and a half.  They have officially finished the loop and are flying their gold burgee.   They are buying a house on the west coast of FL in a boating community.  The other three boats are from a boating club in Vero Beach and are traveling together.

Tomorrow we plan to make the 25 mile Okeechobee crossing, pass through the Port Mayaca Lock and get into the St Lucie Canal which will eventually take us the the FL east coast.
 
Y'all stay vertical,

Captain John and First Mate Sue