4 February, 2020 So long Lake O; all down hill to the Atlantic

One open lock, 41 Sm; 6.2 engine hours

50 deg, fog appearing off in distance.  Light winds but a bumpy night.  Strange boats moving around 2300.

Lake O anchorage at sunrise

Nice sunrise, lots of bass boats going as fast as possible too close.  We pulled both anchors at 0750 and retraced our route out of the lake back to the rim route, turning left into an intense morning sun.  Lots of birds. Smooth water for the first two hours.

Large tree in rim route

The last four hours, while on the rim route, the route is actually in the lake along the eastern shore.  This would not be a protected course in a strong northern wind.  Today the winds picked up from the south and we had 1+ foot rollers from the stern as we proceeded north along lake O’s eastern shore.  Much construction all along the eastern and southern sections of the Hubert Hoover Dike.

Construction raising the height 

 Draining the swamp, Lake O and Everglades, good reading and historical review if interested how good ideas of the early 19th century have really mucked up the environment in the 21st century.    We are headed for port Mayaca Lock and dam, exiting the lake and continuing eastward on the St Lucie canal toward Stuart, FL.

The lock was open both directions and the lock master cleared us through.

Approaching the lock looking east

The lake today was just under 13 feet mean sea level.  We will now be going down hill through the next locks toward the Atlantic ocean  Passed under, after waiting for four PDQ power catamarans to pass, a surprisingly operational, ratty looking RR lift bridge.   This is the limiting bridge for sailboats transiting from the Atlantic to the gulf.  Max opening is 49 feet.

Train engineer has to stop and operate this old bridge

We dropped anchor at 1340 in 6.6 feet.  (map) We are in a small divot on the north side of the canal, mm 36.6.    Main anchor seems to be holding; stern anchor deployed to keep from swinging into main canal.    Suspect it will be buggy at sunset.  Small alligator about 30 feet from the stern.  I have splashed the dinghy and paddled around before the gator showed up.  No threat.  Don’t feed wildlife.  Fed wildlife become nuisance wildlife and have to be killed.

Smooth water at anchorage

1360.1 Hobbs; 1736 Sm elapsed