Sarasota to Belleair south of Clearwater

We stayed up after dark to look for the comet and then got up early to try to spot the five planets. Did not see either but the sky was quite lit up with the Sarasota skyline of tall buildings. We headed into the fuel dock  after daybreak as well as did everyone else. It was great that it was all self serve for diesel and pump out. We moved over to the docks for the restaurant and filled up with water and then we headed out. This was the day of drawbridges but we were able to squeak through all of them. Much different than in the sailboat where you have to wait to go through. There was quite a bit of boat traffic being a Sunday and we went through one very narrow stretch. The afternoon thunderstorms popped up around 2 pm as we were getting to an anchorage north of Belleair Causeway. We are anchored with one other local trawler and a few small sailboats and there is a bot ramp off from us. We had our anchors down beer before the rain started which will cool it off.

Sun rise over Marina Jack

Serious kayak fisherman

Kite boarding off the channel

Unbelievable pink palace looking building

Cute tour boat

Cabbage Key to Sarasota, Florida

We were the only boat anchored off Cabbage Key even though there was boat traffic in the evening after the thunderstorm. As we headed north on the intracoastal on our way to Sarasota, we encountered numerous drawbridges that we could go under and we even tilted down our radar arch to get us under an 18 foot bridge. We hoped to beat the afternoon thundershowers by getting in early afternoon, but as soon as we grabbed a mooring ball at Marina Jack's the rain started and the rain did not let up until after dark. It was a nice evening bobbing about on the fly bridge. We tried for the first time the Italian Sausage ravioli and we added a spicy marina sauce and it was tasty. Since we did not go ashore in the evening we decided to stay another night. We took the dinghy into shore and checked out the fuel dock which is now self service 24/7 and the dock master's office does not open until 9 am. We headed downtown and found the Of Kors Bakery and ordered a takeout spinach, egg and cheese croissant and took our coffees and found a picnic bench in the shade to enjoy. Masks are mandated as they were on the East Coast. We found our way to Whole Foods Market for fresh produce that Glenn carried back to the boat, while I started laundry. Glenn then walked to the NAPA Automotive Store while I finished up the laundry. Back to the boat for a picnic lunch and a cool breeze and a cold beer. For the afternoon walk, we headed through the theater and arts district to shop at the Publix market. It's all about cruising, eating drinking and sleeping.

 

Bike path along the land cut

Fishing in kayaks by the swing bridge

Sailboats in the green water near Venice Pass

Kayaks crossing our path on the waterway

Bay Front Park

Flamingo flair

Tour boat passing by our mooring

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More flamingoes

Beautiful flowers

In the theater district

Statue back by the waterfront

Stunning skyline from the dinghy dock

Causeway bridge lit up at night

Artsy downtown Sarasota

Strolling by the park

Franklin Lock to Cabbage Key, Florida

We had a leisurely stroll through the Corp of Engineers campground at Franklin Lock. When we hailed the lock tender, he requested that we turn around and assist a sailboat captain having trouble starting his engine. We pulled up alongside the disabled sailboat and Glenn tried unsuccessfully to start the engine as the timing was off. We headed into the lock and tied up and then as the lock tender was closing the gates, he noticed the sailboat approaching so he was able to join us in the lock. There were two trawlers docked with us and we had three powerboats waiting on the other side of the lock. Magic, another boat like ours shouted out that they were just completing the Florida mini-loop. It was amazing to come out of the waterway and see the skyline of Fort Myers where the boat traffic picked up. Again a thunderstorm chased us this time catching up with us and we drove through the rain to get to our anchorage at Cabbage Key. We tried out our grill for the first time and enjoyed an evening of watching the pelicans dive bomb around us.

Franklin Lock Corp of Engineers campground docks

One of our boat neighbors

Heron on the dock

Franklin Lock 

Waterfowl flocked to this area

Magic waiting to enter lock

The disabled sailor alongside

Fort Myers skyline

Pelicans galore

Torry Island to Franklin Lock on Okeechobee Waterway

We got an early start to head through the Point Chosen Torry Island bridge which is manned by the operator of the fish camp. It took three guys coming in pickup trips to walk to the center of the bridge and hand crank it open. We passed by Clewiston Lock that was open off to the side leading to a marina. We passed through Moore Haven Lock with about an 8 foot change. The Glades Boat Storage looked full and busy. Not much boat traffic and no one in sight at LaBelle. A women bridge tender opened the Fort Denaud Swing Bridge for us. A thunderstorm was chasing us and we were going to anchor near Hickey Creek, a Skipper Bob anchorage, and the landowner came down in a golf cart and waved us off and pointed out a string of buoys he had blocked the oxbow anchorage with. We were not far from the Franklin Lock and slid into one of the Corp of Engineer slips right before the rain started. We had power and electricity and a pleasant cool evening. The campground extends on both sides of the lock and we enjoyed our coffee under one of the shaded awning picnic tables at each campsite overlooking the fishing pier at the dam.

Torry Island Swing Bridge

Fish camp bridge tender

Great Blue Heron on dolphins you can tie up to

Alligator attack

Alligators crossing the waterway

Manatees spotted

Boat ramps and docks along the waterway

Moore Haven Lock

Glade Boat Storage

Fort DaNaud Swing Bridge

Lady bridge tender

Stuart to Torrey Island on Lake Okeechobee

We got up early to beat the heat and walked to downtown Stuart. We walked the river walk in search of a coffee shop. We finally found a bakery cafe that had just opened and had a croissant and a quiche and coffee and dined outside as we were the only customers. We walked to Boater's Warehouse for some electronics and then by Publix for fresh produce. We got underway around 10 am and through our first lock at St. Lucie by noon. We waited for one trawler to lock through ahead of us and then we were the only boat. There were two small boats waiting to lock through in the opposite direction. We went through the open lock at Port Mayaca since the lake level is high. We started on the rim route and we were the only boat and we stopped to anchor at Torrey Island and watched thunderstorm roll by. It is quiet with the noise of frogs and birds.

Swordfish trail historic marker

Historic downtown Stuart

Sun rise over Stuart River Walk

Cattle cooling off in the Okeechobee Water Way

Bird lawn ornaments

Turtles in the yard

Raised up 14 feet in first lock

First lock at St. Lucie

Passing straight through Port Mayaca Lock

RV Park with tiny houses

Happy hour at Torrey Island anchorage

Sunset over Lake Okeechobee