Merritt Island

Our time in Ft. Pierce on Sunday was brief but enjoyable.  We got to visit with friends from our first phase of the Great Loop in 2012:  Jim's Joy; Sequel; Good Karma and One September.  It was WONDERFUL to get to see old friends again.  Jim's Joy had a wonderful sentiment on a sign on their motor yacht which is pictured below.

"I live for the nights I can't remember with the friends I'll never forget"

While at Ft. Pierce, we couldn't believe the size of the mullet in the marina and the clarity of the water.  The mullet were a lot bigger than in Biloxi and could be seen by the 100s as you walked up and down the docks there.  We even got to see a manatee between boats but couldn't get a picture quick enough.

Mullet in Ft. Pierce city marina

On Monday, we continued on towards Melbourne area and passed our twin, OZ, and also another neat pirate ship anchored along the way.  We talked with the owners of OZ for a bit on the radio and exchanged information.  They are headed for the Bahamas for the winter.

OZ - another 36' Endeavour TrawlerCat headed for the Bahamas

Pirate Ship anchored on the way to Melbourne area

It was a long 10 hour day to arrive on Monday but we made it before dark.  We had selected a marina to stay for two nights while we could locate our permanent home.  It was a VERY unpleasant two nights.  The marina was quite exposed with little break wall for protection.  Unfortunately the wind was really high at 25 mph the last two days and sleeping was nearly impossible.  The boat was taking 2' beam seas in the slip for both days and nights.  We could hear the dishes sliding around in the cupboards and it felt like you needed a harness to strap you to the mattress for the night. The one highlight were the manatee in the marina.  We were able to get a picture of a nose of one when it came up for air.  Manatee are everywhere here and have been plentiful for viewing the last couple days.  Lots of no wake and even no motor areas to protect them as they don't go very fast.

The dark spot in the middle is a manatee nose getting a breath of fresh air

After five straight days of boating from Ft. Myers Beach to here there was no rest for the weary.  First thing Tuesday morning we picked up a rental car for the day and toured marinas in the area.  We found our new home at Harbortown Marina on Merritt Island.  This morning we relocated and are secured in our new slip on E dock.

Harbortown Marina is located on the Cape Canaveral barge canal and is behind the Cape Canaveral lock so only about a 6 inch tide.  That is good news because the docks here are fixed and not floating. On the other side of the lock the tide is 4 feet.  Below are a few pictures from our arrival this morning.  We face the mangroves and it is very secluded and quiet.  Fortunately it is also a natural hurricane hole.

View entering our row at Harbortown Marina

Our view out the bow

Our view off the stern - lots of sailboats

Since we now have a permanent home we could finalize car transport.  We also got word our cars were picked up this morning in Biloxi and should arrive this evening.  Thanks to our Biloxi Point Cadet Marina neighbors who watched over our babies the past three weeks.

Cars loaded for transport from Biloxi to Merritt Island

Just as the trip down the river was in 2012, the trip to the Atlantic side of Florida was amazing.   Full of adventures and people we'll never forget along the way.  We wish would could have taken longer for this trip and spent more time along the way.

Excluding our 2 hour ride this morning to our new home, we traveled 14 days, covered 961 miles and logged 118 engine hours to travel from Biloxi to Merritt Island.  Since this phase of our Great Loop has come to a close, we'd like to say thanks again to all our loyal followers.  Until next time . . . .    

Arrival on the Atlantic Side

We have arrived on the Atlantic side of Florida in Stuart!   Another milestone in the trip.  Our eastward journey is complete and the last 100 miles or so will be north.  Crossing from the Gulf to the Atlantic through Lake Okeechobee included five locks in total.  Below is a map of the waterway with the locks highlighted.  The last lock down at St. Lucie was the largest at 14 feet and also the busiest of the five for us.  At the St. Lucie lock six boats total locked through.  All the other locks we were the only boat locking through.  A busy Saturday afternoon for the Lock Master.

Route across Florida

Our next stop is just 23 miles north at Ft. Pierce city marina.  The reason for the short travel day is because four boats that we traveled the river with in fall 2012 are docked there for the winter.  It will be very nice to have docktails and visit with our friends from 3 years ago and catch up on everyone's travels.

While our final marina and new home is still TBD, we have just one more long day to be in the area and make our selection.

Happy New Year

As planned we spent a quiet NYE with friends at W.P. Franklin Lock campground.  On our way there on NYE we saw the most interesting floating house between Ft. Myers and Cape Coral.  Just as we were passing by a boat was docking there.  I bet they all had a fun NYE in the floating house.

Floating House near Ft Myers / Cape Coral area

New Year's Eve aboard Simplified

To cross the state of Florida through Lake Okeechobee, a series of locks must be navigated.  The locks are small compared to the locks coming down the river in the fall of 2012.  They also work a little differently in that the locks empty and fill by the doors at either end of the lock being opened slightly to let water in or out.  The other locks we've been through filled and emptied using chambers in the bottom of the lock.  We've "locked up" through three of the five locks so far and will finish by "locking down" the last two today.

Ortona Lock on Caloosahatchee Canal

Front bays of the lock opening to let water in and raise us 8 feet

Regardless of the direction of travel, boats lock up to Lake Ockeechobee and lock down to either the Gulf or the Atlantic.  The trip from Franklin Lock to Clewiston  was very uneventful and a bit boring.  Much of the trip through the Caloosahatchee River and Canal is either desolate or man made by the Army Corps of Engineers.   It was a day spent "in the ditch".  The most exciting thing were cows and a few alligators.  

Cows on the Caloosahatchee River

The trip on New Years Day was a shorter day at 55 miles and we arrived mid-afternoon.  That gave us time to go split a hamburger for lunch off the boat at the Tiki Bar that is part of Roland Martin Marina.  Yes, Roland Martin the famous bass fisherman.  A neat little resort compound.  Across the canal while docked we saw a rather large iguana just hanging out.  He was pretty active and possibly trying to court a female the way he was throwing his head around and showing off his large beard.

Iguana at Clewiston at Roland Martin Marina on  Lake Okeechobee

This morning we are crossing Lake Okeechobee and plan to dock in Stuart this evening.