February 28. Leaving Fort Myers behind we begin our journey down the Caloosahatchee River/Okeechobee Waterway towards Indiantown.
February 28 – March 3.
We left Fort Myers Beach Sunday February 28 and motored down the Caloosahatchee River part of the Okeechobee Waterway. It was time to take ourselves and Blue Wing back to the dirt. The last time we passed this way we were on a mission to get to Mexico and had spent little time enjoying this under appreciated part of Florida. So this time we decided to take it a bit slower and soak it all in.
It was a pleasant trip, but not very adventurous (thankfully). We did take lots of pictures, though…
The Olga bascule bridge.
We spent our first night on the waterway anchored next to the W.P. Franklin Campground. We had stopped here for the night in December, but this time we spent an extra day and did some exploring.
Looking back towards the Caloosahatchee River from the anchorage. The water is so amazingly calm on the river – the reflections are always spectacular.
February 29. Exploring W.P. Franklin Campground.
The campground is directly across the waterway from the Franklin Lock. We dinked over and took a few pics. (this pic is click to enlarge.)
The Lock is connected to a park with a visitor’s center, picnic tables, and more camping. (this pic is click to enlarge.)
After our visit to the Lock we did a little dinking around.
The threat of “falling rocks” scared us off this path.
A truly beautiful area to dink around in.
March 1. Sunrise at the W.P. Franklin Campground.
Underway to our next destination on the Okeechobee Waterway, Moore Haven.
Sights along the way, a boat tucked away on the river.
Spanish moss.
Passed this one going under a bridge. We were surprised to see so much solar power!
Trees and reflections.
We arrived shortly before dusk at Moore Haven so we tied up to the dolphins at the Moore Haven Lock.
Birds were nesting in the dolphins.
March 2. The next morning we moved to RiverHouse Marina in Moore Haven.
We spent the day in Moore Haven mostly just walking around. Here is a view westward of where we had come from the previous day down the Caloosahatchee River/Okeechobee Waterway. (this pic is click to enlarge.)
Looking east down the Caloosahatchee River/Okeechobee Waterway and the Moore Haven Lock, which we would pass through the next day. (this pic is click to enlarge.)
Boats entering and exiting the Lock.
Our big night out in Moore Have consisted of visiting this bar.
And eating Mexican food at this restaurant.
March 3. We got up early, went through the lock at Moore Have and continued our journey down the Okeechobee Waterway towards Lake Okeechobee.
Trees, birds, water, sky.
Bird on the Caloosahatchee River.
Entering Lake Okeechobee. We were passed by many trawlers.
Birds on some sort of structure in Lake Okeechobee. It was a slow calm crossing. On the other end of the lake we would go through another lock, tie up to some dolphins and contemplate going under the Port Mayaca Lift Bridge. We will tell you all about that in the next post.
Love those pics, you are a very good photographer.
Thanks Robert!