DAY TWO -- GLADES RV RESORT TO STUART

                            DAY TWO -- GLADES RV RESORT TO STUART 

        We got up early (around 7) but just putzed around for a while drinking coffee and catching up on old newspapers (the paper kind). Got underway at 0840. Passed through the Moore Haven Lock along with two other boats, then stopped at the famous Roland Martin's Resort and Marina to buy some diesel fuel ($6/gallon!) and listen to stories from the dockmaster, who has worked there for many years and is quite the character. 

running the canal towards Moore Haven 

        With a strong east wind, we decided to forego crossing Lake O to get to the Port Mayaca Lock (in our previous crossings we have found Lake O to be a nasty body of water as it is shallow and muddy and ugly) and instead took the alternate (but longer) route along the south and east shores. This turned out to be a good decision, as the scenery was delightful, and we got to see the bridge tender open the bascule bridge over to Torry Island by hand. The dockmaster at Roland Martin's told us about this feature and it -- plus the scenery -- was worth the extra ten miles compared to crossing the lake. The bridge tender took a big metal rod and stuck it into some sort of turnstile or capstan mechanism and walked it around a dozen times or so and voila, the bridge was open. This is supposedly one of only four hand-operated marine bridges in the US. How is that for interesting trivia! 

the manually operated bascule bridge -- if you look carefully, you can see the bridge tender working the capstan

        Our trip down the St. Lucie Canal was uneventful, and again had very little traffic. We were fortunate to arrive at the St. Lucie Lock right as it was opening to let out a west-bound boat, so we didn't have to wait very long. We made a reservation at the Sunset Bay Marina in Stuart earlier in the day and pulled into our dock there at 1630. After cocktails and blogging we walked into town for a lovely dinner at a traditional Italian restaurant that the marina office recommended. (For our Indy friends, the place was very reminiscent of Mama Carolla's.)

a cow cooling off in the St. Lucie canal

Janet's take on today: lovely boating, lots of shore birds on the canals and smooth water. The wind was quite strong, and we needed to keep our hats pulled down tight. A long day on the water, but delightful.

I am much happier with the marina we are docked at tonight. Meets my 'clean' expectations. I may be a bit spoiled...A good day!