Indian Town to Burnt Store Marina
13 November 2010 | Burnt Store Marina
Sunny and warm
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Burnt Store Marina, Fl.
We departed Indiantown Marina at 0645, Wednesday, November 10, 2010 bound for Moore Haven, Fl, located on the western side of Lake Okeechobee. It was cool but not as cold as some recent mornings have been. We were the first to depart the marina but were later followed and overtaken by the trawler Sehoy. There was a layer of sea smoke rising from the warmer water.
Of course the railroad bridge ahead, which is always open, was on our minds. The published standard clearance under the bridge is 49' however, the lake is down and the clearance is now published to be 50.37 feet. I have moved the fuel and water jugs to the starboard side of the boat along with just about anything else we could move. My best guesstimate is that our mast, with windex and antenna, is 50.37 feet. Hmm. That's the same as the published clearance for the bridge.
We traveled westerly behind "Sehoy", as she slowly opened the gap in between. We enjoyed the beauty of the early morning light on the water and surrounding trees along the canal. In the crisp, still, morning air we heard the sounds of a whistle from a not too distant train. Huh? Then we notice that "Sehoy" seems to have stopped. The railroad bridge soon appeared around a corner. It was in the down position. My, oh my. Just yesterday I spoke with an employee at the Indiantown Marina about this very bridge. He told me the bridge had not been used in years. "I ain't never heard of a train going across that bridge in years," were his words.
The good news was that the bridge was ever so slowly rising. It looked ancient, rusty and ready to fall down. I looked at the cables hoisting the bridge with the massive counter weights attached to the other end. I wondered, when was the last time these cables were replaced or inspected or even greased or what ever it is you do to these types of cables? The bridge does not appear to have risen nearly high enough but, it does stop rising so it must be fully up.
We slowly approach and actually stop just feet from the bridge. I applied just a little power, then, inch forward in neutral. Then, more power and neutral again. We both watch as the VHF antenna, the highest point on the boat, bends ever so slightly aft as it just scrapes along the underside of the rusty old bridge girder. The windex clears with no problem.
Of course the crew of Sohoy had been standing on the fly bridge, facing aft with binoculars watching the show. We powered up, heading for the Port Mayaca Lock, which dropped the boat just two inches into Lake Okeechobee. We were both somewhat relieved that our last real major hurdle of this trip was behind us.
By 0845 we were in Lake Okeechobee west bound. The wind was light, the sea condition was a light chop, with a northwest swell besides. Just enough to make it a little rolly, even with a sail up. After about three and a half hours ,we entered a cut through a marshy spoil area and were out of the lake. We soon entered the westerly portion of the "Rim Route" from Port Mayaca to Moor Haven.
This was one of the more interesting areas of this trip. The damage from a huge fire, just a few years ago, was still evident but heavy, thick, lush tropical growth had overgrown the burned area. Only a few stumps and numerous tall, charred, dead trees stood though out the area as testament to the fire.
We saw more birds here than anywhere else on the trip. Osprey, Great Blue Heron and all sorts of other birds were so common and numerous they no longer warranted pictures, being pointed out or even comment. In addition, several alligators were seen sunning themselves along the bank or awaiting lunch to swim by. We were quite surprised at how few alligators we saw on the trip. The first was "Stumpy", (missing several inches of tail) residing in the Indiantown Marina and then three or four today.
We soon locked through the Moor Haven lock and found ourselves tied up to the Moore Haven City Dock in the Caloosahatchee Canal. At least a half dozen other boats spent the night as well. Bridge and train traffic ensured the night was not entirely peaceful.
At 0630, we were the second boat off the dock Veterans Day morning, Thursday, November 11th. We were alone entering the Ortona Lock, which was fortunate. We had difficulty securing the bowline once along side the lock wall. While waiting for that, the boat drifted away from the lock wall. Once the bow line was now secure I put the engine into reverse expecting the boat would back to port, toward the wall. Instead, the stern swung even further right and away from the lock wall toward the center of the lock. I applied forward power with hard right rudder and, after clanging the anchors on the concrete wall, slowly managed to spring the boat back along side. By this time the huge lock doors had closed behind us, water and the boat were already dropping. We managed to survive another lock through with only ego damage.
We soon approached the Labelle Bascule Bridge. I hailed the bridge tender requesting an opening. Her reply was "I'm having a little trouble with the bridge and I called for a maintenance man. He should be here soon". My, oh my. Upon asking for an estimate on time, the reply was "it should be soon". We settled in for a wait. Actually, it was not long at all before a man in an orange jumpsuit arrived and had the bridge open - on one side only. The opening of half the bridge looks quite small from a distance but once we neared the bridge we found plenty of room for us to pass through.
We arrived at the Franklin Lock but we were just a few moments too late to be included in the lock through. We waited about half an hour before we could go through the lock. The Wilson Picket Bascule Bridge was next. That too only opened one span of the bridge because of maintenance work on the other side. The final bridge of the day, and the trip, was a railroad bascule bridge, which is "usually open". Yes, that's right, we watched, from a distance, as the bridge slowly lowered down and closed. We slowly motored up toward the bridge where several other boats waited as well. Soon a short train rumbled across the bridge. The bridge then very slowly opened and we passed through.
As we approached Fort Myers we decided to celebrate our arrival by taking a slip at the City Yacht Basin and planned to meet our friend, Don Audrain, for dinner. The marina was quite crowded, because of a boat show underway, but they managed to fit us in along a lateral pier. It was a rather snug fit to begin with, our anchors were overhanging the bow of a small power boat ahead and it became ever more intimate when another small power boat was wedged in astern of Foggy Notion, her bow just about underneath our dinghy which hung in the davits. Fortunately the boat ahead left early in the evening giving us room to depart in the morning.
Don arrived around 1700, we enjoyed a beverage aboard and were soon walking to down town Ft. Myers looking for dinner. We decided on what we thought would be a Japanese steak house. We were disappointed to find it to be more of a fast food place. We finally settled on the "Twisted Vine", a very nice restaurant on Bay Street. We ordered drinks and our entrées`. We began to wonder as time ticked by. Soon, the manager introduced himself and was apologizing profusely.
It seems a very unlucky backhoe operator struck a major high-pressure gas line at a construction site in Ft. Myers. The rupture resulted in an explosion, badly burning the backhoe operator, and the interruption of gas service to a very wide area in SW Florida. Apparently the restaurant staff was unaware of a problem until the flames in the grills and ovens slowly died out. And I thought we had had a bad day. They were able to serve soup and a great ceasar salad both of which were probably healthier than our entrées` would have been.
Don decided a boat ride would be a good way to spend the next day, so he spent the night with us aboard Foggy Notion. The 0630 departure seemed earlier than previous 0630 departures, but this was to be our last and final departure of this trip. We had no bridges, locks or other issues to face. We motored out of the marina and on down the Caloosahatchee River toward San Carlos Bay and the Miserable Mile.
As we passed under the fifty five foot high Veteran's Memorial Bridge we saw a man standing on the bridge abutment. He was waving and pointing to a boat tied behind the fenders of the bridge. He ran his hand across his throat while pointing to his boat. I hailed the Coast Guard on VHF channel 16 to inform them the probably disabled vessel.
I thought it should be simple matter of advising them of the situation and the location. A simple radio call was not sufficient however. I was asked for my cell phone number and soon found myself talking with a coast guard petty officer. I repeated the same information I had given over the VHF self several more times giving the location and description of the vessel, the number of souls on-board, no one appeared injured etc.
Incredibly, the coasty seemed unsure what to do or how to respond. He informed me that if no one was in immediate danger or injured, the Coast Guard would not respond to assist. I suggested a call to the city or county authorities. It wasn't long before another boat made the same report. This time a different coast guard station responded to the call. They advised that boater that assistance was in fact on the way.
We managed to cross the Miserable Mile without incident and soon we were motoring into Pine Island Sound. We paused south of St. James City to raise the main sail, the first time since departing Deltaville, VA. The winds were rather light as we motor-sailed along, passing Sanibel Island, North Captiva, the famous Cabbage Key (home of the Cabbage Key Restaurant, Bar and Inn alleged to have been the inspiration of Jimmy Buffet's "Cheeseburger in Paradise") and soon Cayo Costa which forms the southern side of Boca Grande Pass. At this point we could see the buildings at Burnt Store Marina, low on the horizon, some ten miles to the east.
In around ninety minutes we motored into the south basin at Burnt Store Marina, pulling up along side the fuel dock to find the familiar and smiling faces of the Burnt Store Marina crew ready to handle our lines and welcome us home. It was a grand and much appreciated welcome indeed.
In quick order we topped off the fuel, got pumped out and were soon on our way to a slip on "B" dock. We had arrived home six months to the day of our departure by auto in June. As Don said, we had crossed our own wake.
It was very nice indeed to be home. Our neighbors, Dee and John, invited us join them that evening for some delightfully chilled wine, a scrumptious Italian dinner and catching up on all the news at the marina. Thanks very much Dee and John. We slept until just before 0700 this morning. We went back to the boat today to begin off loading. It will take a while and we are in no hurry.
That's it, period. We are home.
G&C
Vero to Indiantown
09 November 2010 | Indiantown Marina
SUnny and warm
November 9, 2010
Indiantown Marina, Mile 28.7 of the Okeechobee Water Way.
Vero (Velcro) Beach certainly had that effect on us. We stayed yet another day (a total of five) but, primarily due to adverse weather. We had hoped to leave on Sunday however the weather was much less favorable than we wanted or needed to move in. When we awoke, around 0600, it was cloudy and cold so we fired up the little propane heater we have aboard to take the edge off and went back to bed. Hey, it was in the low 50s below.
As the morning progressed it rained, it blew, it was cold and it blew some more. The rain finally stopped in the late morning and, it looked as though it might clear at least enough for a walk ashore. We finally dinghied in to pay for yet another nights mooring fee as well as some badly needed exercise. We made the rather short walk to the Riverside Grille, just south of the bridge, under threatening skies and windy conditions. We were delighted to find advertising for a brunch until two in the afternoon. The place was packed so it must be good.
We luckily waited only about ten minutes before we were seated. The brunch was wonderful. All you can eat for $16.95. Included was all sorts of breakfast foods, a carving station, wings and things as well as a raw bar which included oysters, little necks and peel and eat shrimp. A mimosa and a bloody Mary were the beverages of choice to go along with the brunch. I can attest to the bounty and deliciousness of the raw bar. Every time I went back the chilled trays were full. The eggs benedict were perfect and the admiral highly approved of the corned beef hash and thoroughly enjoyed an omelet.
As if that were not enough, we learned that the Patriot football team was scheduled to trounce the Cleveland Browns, on the big screen over the bar, at 1300 hrs. My, oh my, it is no wonder folks don't want to leave Velcro Beach. It just can't get any better than this. We decided to pace ourselves with the brunch to ensure we could see the game. Needless to say the game did not go so well for the favorite team. We did in fact pace ourselves but left well satisfied, at least food wise, before the end of the game. I certainly got my moneys worth in oysters, clams and shrimp.
We finally left Vero Beach on Monday, November 8th, at a leisurely 0740 after stopping by the dock for water and a pump out. It was a comfortable forty-three mile motorboat ride to Stuart. At around 1300 hrs, we left the Atlantic Intra-coastal Waterway at the St. Lucie inlet, as we turned westerly into the St. Lucie River at mile zero of the Okeechobee Waterway. We soon passed through the Roosevelt bascule bridge and picked up a mooring at the Sunset Bay Marina, Stuart, Fl.
We departed Stuart at around 0820 this morning, Tuesday, November 9th 2010, bound for the Indiantown Marina at mile 28.7 of the Okeechobee Waterway, just 21 miles from the mooring. This short day was planned to position the boat for the crossing of the lake. The next leg will be some fifty +/- miles from Indiantown to Moore Haven on the western shore of Lake Okeechobee.
At approx. 0920 hrs we approached the St. Lucie Lock. After only a ten minute wait we saw the green light allowing us to enter the lock. We were behind a powerboat, the only other boat in the lock. We also shared the lock with four frolicking manatee as well. The lock lifted the boat thirteen feet to the level of the canal and we were soon on our way at around 1000 hrs.
The one fly in the ointment for us is the infamous railroad bridge just east of the Port Mayaca lock. (Between Indiantown and the lake) This old RR lift bridge, which the locals claim has not been used in years, defines the limits of the air draft or mast height of the waterway. In the raised position (which it always is) it is forty-nine feet above the water at the "standard lake level". Our mast is forty-eight feet plus we have an antenna as well as a Windex or wind direction indicator on top of the mast.
The Army Corp of Engineers is very helpful, with more information than any one person needs, with regard to the lake and surrounding ditches, canals, swamps etc. Of course they include the navigable depth of the lake as well as the height above the water of this pesky bridge, which information I am finding particularly helpful at this time. As of this morning the bridge height was 50.37 feet - (50' 4.4") as the lake is a little below the normal level. This is a good thing for us.
I took quite a bit of time today, both while underway as well as at the dock, looking at the equipment on top of the mast. I think - ??? - we have just enough room to make it under the bridge at the current level. However, exercising just a little bit of caution, once on the dock at Indiantown, I moved all of the water and fuel jerry jugs, most of which are normally stored on the port side, to the starboard side of the boat. (The boat is a little heavy and lists to starboard to begin with) That is somewhere in the neighborhood of 235 pounds. It dramatically healed, well, no, it healed the boat a little, which should reduce the height of the mast, a little. We will also swing the boom out to starboard and see what happens. The worse I expect is to buy a new Windex at some point in the future.
Indiantown Marina is a nice spot. They have an area set aside just for folks who like to do their own boat work at very reasonable prices. They have a great little patio area, a screened in area and a kitchen set aside for boaters. There is plenty of room to haul and store your boat as well. In addition, they will unstep your mast before you head through that pesky 49-foot bridge if need be.
We plan to leave early in the morning bound for Moore Haven on the western shore of Lake Okeechobee, a distance of some 50 sm. We expect to spend one more nights somewhere on the waterway before we reach Fort Myers. Hey, we could be home by Friday at the latest. My next, and final, blog post may just be from Burnt Store Marina.
That's is for now.
G&C
Vero Beach
06 November 2010 | Vero Beach Marina
SUnny, windy and cold
Saturday, November 06, 2010
Vero Beach - still -
We awoke this morning thinking we had somehow been transported to some lake in the far north. It was only 53` inside the boat at 0730. With the persistent very strong and gusty winds, NOAA has been announcing we should expect the wind-chill temps to be in the 30s and, it feels as though it is quite close to that. My, oh my. Apparently Florida is not enough. I guess we will need to set our sights on Cuba, or some place further south, if we want to avoid the cold.
We arrived in Vero Beach on Wednesday, the 3rd of November and plan to spend one more night here. The colloquial term for this place, at least among cruisers, is Velcro Beach. That is because it can be a difficult place to leave. It is a very secure and comfortable place be. The mooring fees are very reasonable, the protection from wind and seas could not get too much better, the laundry and shower facilities are more than adequate, fuel, water, pump-out and ice are available right at the dock and there is a FREE bus service throughout the area where one can find just about anything one might need or desire.
We took advantage of the bus service yesterday. The bus stops right at the marina and it wasn't long before we were standing in front of West Marine where, we were told they could have the propane solenoid for us in a week. (We hope to be home before then) We had lunch at a nice little Irish Pub type of place, stopped at ABC liquors and went to Publix to re-provision for what should be the last time on this voyage. We waited quite a while but the bus eventually dropped us right at the dinghy dock at the marina.
Also yesterday, while we were applying chafing gear to the mooring lines, Cheryl found a cotter ring laying on the foredeck. Huh? Where did that have come from? Had we been sailing in company with a certain member of the DCC, I would have very strong suspicions about that. However, we checked every place we could think of that should have a cotter ring and found none to be missing. I spent more than half and hour on deck on my back, with binoculars, studying the rig and mast top. Nothing appears to be amiss. My, oh my.
In addition to further investigating the source of the cotter ring, today will be a laundry day, also for what we hope will be the last before we arrive home in Burnt Store Marina, Charlotte Harbor, Fl. We are planning on taking the Okeechobee Water Way across Florida to Ft Myers as opposed to going all they way down and around the peninsula. Yesterday, the height of the restricting railroad lift bridge was fifty feet. We require forty-eight feet plus a little for things like an antenna and wind indicator atop the mast.
The waterway begins at the St. Lucie inlet, some 35 sm south along the ICW from Vero Beach. From there we will follow the St Lucie River to Stuart where we will spend just one night - we hope. The winds have been quite strong, since the passing of the cold front, and are expected to remain so for several more days. NOAA's prediction for Sunday calls for winds on Lake Okeechobee to be out of the north at 19-24 kts and the lake conditions to be rough. Hmm. For Monday the winds should be down to 13-18 kts, also out of the north and lake conditions to be choppy. By Tuesday, our planned day to cross the lake, the winds are expected to be NE 12-15 kts and conditions moderately choppy. I am not sure just what moderately choppy means on the lake but perhaps we just might be able to raise a sail.
From Stuart we will follow the south fork of the St. Lucie River to the St. Lucie Canal, passing through locks and under bridges along the way, to Port Mayaca on the eastern shore of the lake. It is then some 25 sm across the very shallow lake to Clewiston and then another 12 or 13 miles, along the rim of the lake, to More Haven on the western shore. From there, after another lock, we will enter the Caloosahatchee Canal, which flows to the Caloosahatchee River, down through Ft. Myers to San Carlos Bay for a total distance of 149 sm. There are four locks and at least seven bridges which we will need open along the route. Of course we will be stopping several nights somewhere along the way and that is being discussed at this very moment.
That's all for now
G&C