Saturday  June 20, 2009 - Ft. Myers to Labelle

Today is starting out with a delay in departure because we’re having to wait until the dockmaster’s office opens at 8AM. I forgot to inquire yesterday evening when we arrived at the Legacy Harbour Marina about a package I had arranged to be sent there containing an antenna booster for my wireless card. When I got the package it had the wrong connector – so not only were we delayed but I’m not going to have a booster to get the photos to you web folks.  All the tech stuff aside - let’s get back to our enjoyable journey…

Silently cruising under I-75 shortly after leaving Fort Myers.

Some waves along the Okeechobee waterways....

From all different kinds of water craft...

Everyone we pass definitely notices us....

Our first lock on the Okeechobee waterway, The Franklin Lock.

Because of the high tide we only had an 8 inch rise, however, it was a cool and uplifting experience. It was my first time in a lock and I was holding on to the line from the lockmaster for dear life, but it was just a gradual rise of 8 inches and not like the stories Jeff had told me about with water rushing in and turbulent conditions when your boat needs to be lifted for several feet. Now, I'm really "locking" forward to the next one.

After that excitement we continued on our way east bound on the waterway while enjoying the nice waterfront homes, lots of different kinds of water crafts and several groups of cows, all of whom gave us a hoof-up as we passed by in our electric hybrid boat.

We arrived at our evening’s destination at the River’s Edge Motel – an old Florida experience and a great stopover on our way to the Atlantic. We were greeted by owner, Jim Bishop, a fellow boat craftsman, who couldn’t have been more hospitable as he made room on his dock, offered us a complimentary suite, ice cold AC and a perfect view of our boat from our room’s sliding glass doors.

It's not everyday that you tie up with a paddle wheel river boat.

Jim's "green" (but not so green) transportation at the River's Edge Motel.

Jim had an article about us published in the local paper, the Caloosa Bell,
with an invitation for locals to get a chance to checkout our boat and take a ride, so rides we did.

Jim convinced Jeff to go adventuring into a couple ox bows, which are fingers off the main
canal and actually were once part of the original river prior to dredging for flood control.

We cruised through very narrow passages and around patches of water hyacinths, while we all listened to Jim tell us of interesting area history and lore. I sensed Jeff’s concern – if we had hit something hidden in the dark brown water and cause damage to our boat, it would have been the end of our trip, but once again, the Endeavour carried-on without incident.

After the rides and conversation, we inquired if there was a close by restaurant we could walk to for dinner, when Jim handed us the keys to his car along with directions into town. Just another act of kindness that Jeff and I continue to encounter, from everyone we meet along the way, on this very special journey.

CONTINUE ON TO CLEWISTON   -   RETURN TO MAP