Tuesday March 17, 2015 Ft. Myers to Moore Haven, Fl.

Edison Bridge by anchorage

Our anchorage in downtown Fort Myers

Anchor up at 915 buried good with some mud and sea shells so Colletta had to use the boat hook and the hose to wash it clean. Pulled out of the anchorage and across the river to Fort Myers Yacht Basin to get some ice. We had forgotten to pack our cooler when we left Marco Island. I don’t know if it was current or the wind that had us pinned to the face dock but I had difficulty getting away and softly touched the corner of the boat on the piing. Not a great start for the day. We departed the marina at 938. We got to the first of 5 locks we will have to go thru doing the Lake Okeechobee route. It is 150 miles across the state this route and almost 350 miles if we go around thru the Florida Keys.

At 1245 we went under the Alva Bridge that had a height of 24 feet and I thought we could make it but Colletta said it looked like we would need 25 feet to get under it. Well, we rapped the antenna about 5 times as we went under the bridge. I guess we need 25 feet, oh well; nothing broke just some expensive racket. The interior of Florida is a mix of many different types of development. From city center at fort Myers to cattle ranches, to assorted mixes of residential, to sugar cane fields.

Look closely under the tree are cows staying cool in the shade

 

We went thru 2 locks today, Franklin and Ortona locks and one swing bridge. We haven't done one of these for a while.

 

 We pulled into the River House Marina in Moore Haven at 1730 and tied up to a long face dock. That is the only dock they have. It is right next to the Municipal Marina which is also a long face dock that was full with 5 boats by the time we got here.  The payment is on the honor system as there is an envelope by the gate with instructions about bathrooms, ice, and that you should but $ 1.00 per foot per night in the envelope and deposit it in the metal box under the sign. However, after dinner a very nice lady stopped by to collect dock fees and asked if we needed anything form town. Very courteous. We traveled 48 n.m. ( 56 st. miles) today. Happy St. Patrick’s Day. No corned beef for our crew tonight, roast turkey and roast beef. Delicious!