March 2 Clewiston to St Lucie Lock Dock

March 2


Crazy early start for us getting off the dock at Clewiston at 6:30 and first light.  Haven't done that in awhile!!   We wanted an early start as the forecast for crossing Lake Okeechobee called for very light winds until 10 AM.  Then it would build quickly to 15+ which would start chopping things up with a beam sea in this shallow waterway with a very narrow channel.  The current lake level had the shallowest areas we would traverse at just 6.5’ so not much room for error if we got off course with our 5’ draft..  Thankfully we made it just as the winds started building so no issues for us. 

Passing through the Clewiston lock 

Sunrise over Lake Okeechobee

Seagull following our wake

 Even the Port Mayaca lock was a non-issue as the lake and canal were at the same level and we just passed right through with open gates at both ends.  On the other side of the lake is the St. Lucie Canal so just more of the same long straight canals heading eastward.

Easy passage through Port Mayaca Lock

Most interesting wildlife we saw  - some cows along the canal

 Made it to the St. Lucie Lock where there is a COE park/campground/boat slips.   We have reservations for the next 2 nights here which feels a bit like a natural secluded area but in actuality has neighborhoods on the outskirts of Palm City and Stuart just behind the tree lines.  It will give us a chance to launch the dingy and kayaks and maybe even do a bit of fishing,.

Sunset from our slip at St Lucie Lock Dock

Journey for March 2