We are now anchored in our favorite anchorage, Cape Haze, just north of Charlotte Harbor. We have spent over 90 nights here in the past 9 years. It offers excellent protection in all directions and is a short dinghy ride to a great park on the Gulf. With a northerly predicted and possible storms, we headed here from last night's anchorage at Glover Bight. Sure beats going to our home base at Burnt Store.
On our trip north this morning, we actually had our head sail out, making 7 knots at time. What a nice ride and the ICW was not all that busy. We are staying here for a couple of days and if the weather is okay, we will head out Stump Pass and go up to Gulfport and visit friends. Our cruising season is not over.
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Another long day today. We left LaBelle at 8:00 a.m., planning a 2 1/2 hour run to get the 11:00 a.m. Franklin lock opening. We made it with time to spare. However, the lock did east bound traffic first - 1 boat. Meanwhile the 5 west bound boats had to wait until 11:20 a.m. Before entering the lock. Other than that, we moved right along.
We arrived at our destination of Glover Bight at 3:30 p.m. After fuel, pump out, and some water, we dropped our anchor. Always a great spot. It was a long day and the boat traffic from Ft. Myers was unreal. Very tired as we have been on the move for four days. Tomorrow we go north to Cape Haze to ride out the predicted northerly. After that, who knows? Certainly not home.
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Not only are we in LaBelle, as you will note, we are stern to the City Dock. This is a free dock, right by the library, for a total of three nights. You are not allowed to tie up to it along the side of your boat. That way, maybe three boats would fit. So, you do what is called a Mediterranean mooring which means you drop an anchor out in the deep water and then back into the dock and tie off, That way you can fit six to seven boats on the same dock. We arrived around 1:00 p.m. this afternoon and much to our surprise, no other boats were here. Patty and I actually looked like we knew what we were doing. We have been traveling the last couple of days with a 32 foot Endavour as they head to their home in Port Charlotte. They were impressed.
This dock is two blocks from downtown and right next to the library that has wifi. We did go into town for an early afternoon beverage and to cool down in some air conditioning. Well worth it. We found out about a Little Caesar's nearby so we opted for pizza. After we returned, we discovered that the dock has 30 amp service so we plugged in and are now running our air conditioning to cool the boat down.
I had previously forgotten to mention the alligators between Clewiston and Moore Haven. There must have been over 40 of various sizes. Some were as big or bigger than me. Quite the trip.
Tomorrow we are going to Glover Bight near Sanibel. We are looking at the weather as it is supposed to turn northerly this weekend. So, on Saturday, we may head to our favorite anchorage, Cape Haze, which offers great protection from all directions. After that, who knows where we will go.
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hope you have a great cruise in SW Florida.
If you go up as far as the Manatee River, a new dinghy dock allows access to Emerson Point Perserve. The dock is across the river from the cross. Check our blog for pictures.
The first two hours this morning had to be one of the most beautiful segments of any trip we have been on. We left Indiantown Marina just past 7:00 a.m. It was about 50 degrees and not a ripple on the waterway. With a thin layer of fog over the waterway and various wildlife along the shores, it was quite something. Then, came the bridge and we, once again, managed to clear it. The Corps of Engineers' website did not have the current clearance height posted, but yesterday/s was 51.7 feet. So, no problem.
Like the waterway, Lake O was very calm with flat water. We put the boat on auto helm and just road across it. Instead of stopping at Clewiston, we went on to Moore Haven and the City Dock. What a great stopping point. The dockage was only $1.00 per foot, including tax, shore power, water, and showers. Believe me, this is unbelievable. Oh, and brand new docks. We did walk into town for a very authentic Mexican dinner. Much better than anything in Punta Gorda.
Tomorrow, we are just going to LaBelle, about 25 miles from Moore Haven and will probably tie up to the city park dock we have used before. This is a short day but it will position us to get to Ft. Myers the next day.
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After 2 weeks in Stuart, we are heading back to the west coast. Not home, but just back to our familiar waters. For those of you who have not had the privilege of cruising the west coast of Florida, that should be put on your to do list. We have no intention of going back to Burnt Store any time soon. Too many anchorages to visit, and particularly in the now improving weather.
Last night the three couples had their farewell dinner at, of course, Duffys. The wind continued to blow out of the north at 15 to 20 mph. We all decided that it was time to split up and do whatever we individually wanted to do, So, we are on our way back. This morning we woke to 54 degrees and 15+ wind. COLD!!
It was too cold and windy last night to put the dinghy away and get the boat ready to head west so we did that this morning. We delayed our departure for a couple of hours so it would warm up, but it never quite did until this evening. All day I wore pants, sweatshirt and a windbreaker. The sun was out strong but the cooler north wind won out. We left the ball field around 11:00 a.m., got the 1:00 p.m. lock opening and arrived at Indiantown before 4:00 p.m. We were the only boat heading west. Unreal. We have stopped here several times in the past and it is old Florida. Nothing fancy here but there is no wind and we had dinner in the cockpit for the first time on this cruise.
Tomorrow, we are leaving early, getting under the bridge and hopefully being able to sail across Lake O. Instead of stopping at Clewiston, we are going up to Moore Haven, a new experience as we have never stopped there. It will be a long day, but worth it to avoid Clewiston. Maybe the city dock there will have wifi, although I doubt as the cruising guide says that the only thing of interest in Moore Haven is a café/diner in town. Will be interesting.
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Still having to rely on the iPhone so this will be brief and no picture.
Left Indiantown early this morning and got under the bridge again with no problem. Lake O was flat with no wind. Went on to Moore Haven - a long day. City dock is $1.00/foot including tax, shore power and shower. Will come here again.
On to LaBelle tomorrow. Then, Glover Bight. Hopefully will find wifi access soon.
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