Lennon's Loop: September 2010

Sept 23 -24 Ft. Pierce to Vero Beach

The truck advertising Ft. Pierce marina's tiki bar blended well with John

The marina is a 2 block walk from downtown

Public art was everywhere. The mosaic benches lined the downtown streets

Looks like he's headed to the rose.

Manatees are not a boaters favorite, because the beauracrates think they can read the "Manatee Zone -Slow Speed " signs and only swim in the right areas.

But I guess they can paint

We arrived at Loggerhead Marina in Vero Beach.

Our favortie daughter, Linda and favorite son-in law Chris, and their family joined us Saturday night.

The grandchildren enjoyed the pool.

John , Linda and Chris watched the FSU game in the captains lounge and listened to the Gator game on the internet.

Sept 22- The Okeechobee Waterway

The trip through the lake was quiet. Lots of sugarcane growing everywhere.

For miles, and since we travel at 10 to 12 miles an hour, HOURS, nothing but blue skies and blue water

We were fortunate that the Lake was so peaceful and our travels around the loop were not delayed by the weather. We were reading in the Looper news, others Great Loop travelers could only boat on Lake Michigan 4 days of the last 16 because that's when the seas were only 3 -5 foot.

The channel was like this for hours and you can get lulled to not keeping a close eye out

until

you look and see a cow's head in the water in front of the boat. I screamed stop and naturally by the time I got my camera she had started to move from her morning swim.

Our very last lock of the trip.

We spent the night at the State park adjoining the lock.

September 19-20 Crossing Florida Okeechobee Waterway- Clewiston

Since we have been to the Keys many times, we took the short route home

The Okechobee Waterway.

This means 5 more locks. I think we know the drill by now.

We had been looking forward to revisiting Rialto Harbor Docks. Each dockage has its own individual garden area.

After checking in at the office we took off to tour the 12 acre estate.

A quick dip in the heated pool

and we were off to see the horses.

the grass is always greener.

for my abstract inspiration files

The owners of the marina/yacht brokerage raise carriage horses

and chickens

We continued along the rim route of Lake Okeechobee rather than going directly through the center. I guess the view is better or could it be the 15 mph winds?