Crossing Lake Okeechobee, FL

It was a long day that rolled beneath the deep blue sky as the crew of Viridian continued east to cross Lake Okeechobee.  We cruised into the sun at first light this morning, up the canal of the Caloosahatchee River from River Forest Marina.  It took about two hours to reach Moore Haven, FL on the western bank of Lake Okeechobee.  The waterway turns southeast for about 12 miles before it makes a 90 deg port turn into the Lake.  Okeechobee is one of the bodies of water that require a good-weather-day window to cross safely. 


Our old friend, the northeast wind, was against us again today, but it had backed down some to 10 mph.  Combine this with the fact that our bearing crossing the lake was 45 deg northeast so we would take the waves directly on the bow.  Our passage across Okeechobee was about 25 miles to Port Mayaca where the St. Lucie River drains Okeechobee to the Atlantic.  It was a slow day at the Port Mayaca Lock so we sailed right in, took up our lines dangling from the top of the lock wall and went 4 inches down to the St. Lucie River.  Our plan was to anchor at one of the spots listed on our charts just behind the dam.  However, none of these places looked desirable due to currents and proximity to the channel.  Long story short, we finally found a marina that had slips available, so we pulled into Port St. Lucie Marina and Lock just after dark in the rain.  This may not be the most glamorous marina we have stayed in, but we were sure glad to get our lines around something solid and plug into some juice for the night.  Here are some views from today's passage.

That's the news and here's the views:

We are here

Today's Passage

 Bird's Eye

 Early morning prepping for today's passage

 One of the cleanest boat yards we have seen

 Just before untying at River Forrest Marina, FL

 Cruising along the canal that runs along the western shore of Okeechobee

 Crossing Okeechobee.  Might as well be an ocean.

 Looking for marinas

 Leaving the Okeechobee eastbound

Cruising down the St. Lucie River.  Looks like rain to me.

Glad to be at Port St. Lucie Marina, FL