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  Another month on the Great Loop!!  The progress shown here is a little deceptive.  From the first, near Mobile, to the 23rd, we made it to the little wiggle up on the panhandle.  We left that evening, jumped across the Gulf and six days later we were in Titusville, halfway up the east coast.   Part of that delay was for me to fly back to South Dakota for my Mom's 95th birthday party. The weather was the other culprit. We were glad we waited for a calm time to make the long passage. --------------------------------------------------------------- Paul comments in this font Cheryl comments in this font

  A short-ish day today, to Fort Pierce. I lived here for several years and a dear friend still lives here. Santa came to Stuart.  With his Flamingo. I think this is a hurricane proof building, solid concrete! We all need one of these! You go first, Paul, I will video you wiping out, oops, I mean using it. Another new boatyard.  A massive travel lift for biiiig boats. We need one of these, too. Along with the captain to drive it. They must have a lot of BIG boats here, another big travel lift. I never get tired of seeing pelicans or dolphins. Cool thing is, we have seen both everyday since being back in salt water. I love seeing flowers blooming again. Gotta love south Florida. My dear friend Shelley came for lunch and took us to the grocery store.  What every cruiser always wants! Making himself known on the lunch table.  Think this one is accustomed to being around people? I used to have a hibiscus plant just like this, ....in South Dakota, ....in my living ro...

  As is becoming a habit, an early start.  This time at 0600, well before light, to get into the Caloosahatchee  waterway to Lake Okeechobee.  The goal for the day is Sugar Town, Clewiston, FL on the lake.  Three locks and a swing bridge to traverse and we need to get to the last lock before they shut down at 4:30PM. We can't quite figure out how these folks managed to get themselves high and dry in a benign area like this. Tow-Boat was pulling, but they weren't moving, at least while we could see them.   I think they missed the high tide. We saw these signs, but could seldom see the cord.  This one was on the right; There are five locks on the Okeechobee waterway. Three that lift you up to the lake from the Gulf of Mexico and two that bring you down to the Atlantic Ocean Homes along the river, but not mansions here. The trees are looking different. These folks live on a Florida "mountain". The highest ground we have seen. Paul spotted a couple of...