Day 6 Sanibel - Intracoastal Waterway to Ft Myers

Schools of fish danced on the water, like cloud shadows, while the birds flew, in flocks that looked like rain,  as they moved toward the dining fish. Hmmm. Need I say what happened next? 

Somebody else got lunch too.

There was also a formation of about 7 white pelicans that flew just ahead if us swooping down low over the water.. Usually you only see the brown pelicans sitting or fishing. 

 After 3 days of cleaning, stowing groceries and supplies, and getting the boat back in the water we are enjoying being underway. Ran 7 hours yesterday about 35 to 40 miles. :) the diesel fuel is about $4.10 a gallon here. The trawler burns 2 gallons per hour. A car that gets 23 to 25 miles to a gallon can drive about 50 miles in an hour for $8. We are spending that every 10 miles; Still much better than one with 2 engines or a racing engine.

Today we motored through Ft Myers and have been heading East towards the Big O along the way we saw the big power plant, experienced the Franklin Locks and started seeing lots of Florida gentlemen farmer ranches with cattle and horses.

 

This afternoon we plan to stop early so that I can try out the inflatable paddle board I brought down with me.

We anchored in a canal called Lollipop just before sunset. I heard a Loud splash in the water and thought it must be an alligator!  So the paddleboard became a dual purpose item for our dinner. 

I did finally go paddling; watching for alligators and manatees :). Tomorrow we cross Lake Okeechobee where they have some of the biggest bass in the country!

Ft Myers to Stuart on Okeechobee Waterway

Coming up! Lake Okeechobee The Big O

The Big O and I am not referring to Opra but to Lake Okeechobee. According to the Florida Cruising Guide the Okeechobee Waterway is not as great as other man-made paths between seas like the exotic Panama Canal or St. Lawrence Seaway for commercial  vessels. It is, however, a major trip and shortcut for recreational vessels.

The trip starts at Ft Myers and follows the Caloosahatchee River 152 inland miles through cow pastures and the 25 mile trip across the lake itself, ending at Stuart, Florida. The alternative is the 350 nautical miles trip around the southern  tip of Florida through the Florida Keys.

This is Captain Don's first trip on this waterway. When he and my Mother, Linda, traveled aboard their 47' sail  oboist, Majestic Dream their boat needed at least 6' of water and that would be risky with a draft of 5' 10". On Ring of Fire we only draw 32" so let's say 3'.

We are excited about our journey on this "new to us" waterway. As I write this we are passing the Burnt Store Marina, which I find to have a rather thought provoking name. To more about the Okeechobee Waterway and the lake known as the Big O with  see pictures follow the  Wikipedia link below.

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lake_Okeechobee

Day 5 Charlotte Harbor

After a day 3 and 4 making ready to leave Charlotte Harbor Boat Storage, we traveled along the canal to the South Gulf Cove Lock at Cattle Dock Point.

Today we got a free ride since the lock was receiving some routine maintenance. Normally this is a self service lock. We had the help of 3 handlers on shore so we did not have to get off the boat to operate the lock ourselves.

Traveling on a 34' trawler made our time  departure much simpler. No waiting for high tide or traveling through the locks in the dark at 1 in the morning. 

We have reached the bigger water at the beginning of the 26 mile long Charlotte Harbor on our way to the Gulf Coast of Florida. Captain Don is still sporting his trademark Stetson just on his new boat, Ring of Fire instead of the sailboat he traveled with 6 to 8 months of the year.

New Boat New Adventures

News Blast: We have crossed over to the dark side. Living Aboard A Sail Boat is now Living Aboard a Trawler. Captain Don purchased a Mainship 34 soon after the sale of his Vagabond 47 ketch. Pictures coming soon.

Latest:

Robert and Cynthia Timberlake are the new owners of Majestic Dream. You can follow their adventures here:

Axeman and Crew

http://www.sailblogs.com/member/axeman/?show=profile

It's December 2013. This is Sheree and I am back in Florida with My father, Captain Don, getting his new trawler called Ring of Fire, ready to launch. It turns out that Majestic Dream is back here at the same storage yard too. We visited her this AM. It was bittersweet. Felt really odd to see her just sitting there with us on another boat. 

Last March I flew down to FT Myers to stay with my parents on Ring of Fire. This is not her maiden voyage. They cruised with her last winter as well.

Day 1 we arrived after a 2 day drive from Pennsylvania where we spent Thanksgiving with family (after a 1 day drive from  Michigan).

Day 2 we cleaned the boat, uncovered the decks from sheets of sun protection, put up the Bimini and more. Hope to launch in 2 days after more prep work.

I brought an inflatable SUP with me and can't wait to explore a new place each night as we move the boat from the gulf side of Florida to the Arlantic.

Today's big job, putting lanolin on the prop and washing down the boat. Yje lanolin is suppose to keep barnacles from growing in the prop. A fellow sailor and electric guru also suggest that Dow Corning Silcone #33 works well too.  The lanolin was great for my hands, Who knew you could protect the boat and get soft hands all at the same time .

We also had a stowaway. So cute.