More Moorings

February 24, 2016

Stuart, Florida

Mile Marker 6 OWW

We loved the Okeechobee Waterway all 146.8 miles and three days.  The weather was perfect.  We stopped at an anchorage in Southbay that seemed in the middle of nowhere but it wasn’t, we just couldn’t see any town or other goings-on from where we were.  When we anchored we saw a small Bayliner, probably from the 80’s that was just right for taking out on the lake or pond for snacks and drinks before dinner. Before long the Bayliner headed out but not without giving our boat a good look.  They circled around and came back to visit after all they were from the “County”.  County is the name people in Maine give Aroostook County.  The couple has a camper in an RV park over the “hump”. They offered to take us to the grocery store or anywhere else we might need to go.  Nice folks

The people had come into the anchorage to see the rookery of white birds.  We had seen the birds gather there as well, an amazing sight. I didn’t take a picture of the birds in the trees but if you think about a tree filled with white apples you can make a picture of it yourself.

It was Sunday that we traveled the last part of the journey to Stuart. We fueled up just before arriving at Sunset Bay Marina and Anchorage.

You cannot make a reservation for one of the Sunset Bay Marina moorings. It is first come, first serve.  I guess there have been rather heated conversations between boaters thinking that they were the ones that got to the mooring first. We didn’t get a mooring when we first arrived and had to anchor.  Anchoring means no laundry, shower, dinghy docking and lounge privileges.  There were four of us looking out for someone raising a dinghy, battening down the hatches and just plain looking like they are leaving so we can get a mooring before someone else. We now are on a mooring, thanks to Sue and Paul, but it came with strings attached. Because it belonged to another boater and they are gone for a few days we have to be off by Thursday. At that time the lookout starts again and if we didn’t get to a mooring we will have to return to anchor if.  All the time we are looking for a mooring. There are boaters circling around the mooring field looking for signs that people are moving on. Anyway that is the personality of this marina.  

There is this wonderful river walk that is very unique. It is wooded in most places and concrete in others.  I don’t know how long it is but, quite long.  We saw pelicans, red crabs, a beautiful bird, interesting trees, friendly people, places to have a margarita and sit and relax. We can't go on a walk today because it is pouring and rainy.

You will notice that the mile markers a going from high to low and that is because the OWW starts in the east and goes west.

I hope that you are having as good a day as I am.

The pictures

This is the last hand cracked swing bridge in Florida.  If you look closely near the man on the left you can see the hand crank.  The men loved having their picture taken.

Bird of the post

Beautiful bird we saw on the river walk I don't know what it is so if anyone does let us all know.  Melissa? Since I have free Wi-Fi today I am sending lots of photos

I don't think this is a Mangrove but it sure is interesting.

Parts of the river walk

The first two pictures were taken seconds apart and the colors are so different.

 The smoke in the background is from the burning of sugar cane.  We saw some of the bass boat fisherman with bandanas over their nose and mouth and I wondered if this was because they didn't want to breath in the smoke.

The sky has many personalities

Parting shot

Eider

Tricia