Bridges & Locks and Bridges & Locks

The Okeechobee Waterway is a man-made waterway that stretches across FL from Ft. Myers to Stuart.  This canal has 5 locks that raise and lower vessels 15.5 feet to pass through Lake Okeechobee.  We departed Ft. Myers at an early 6:30AM, as the 2^nd of the 3 locks we were passing through on Wednesday on our way to Clewiston, is under construction and would only allow boats to pass through between 11:30AM-12:30PM.  The distance from Ft. Myers to the 2^nd lock was 42 miles.

This passage brings new experiences.  We have passed under/through several different types of bridges.  Summer Chaser sits 22’10” above the water.  Because of our height, we have to request some of the bridges open for us.  From fixed tall bridges, to bridges that have a 7' clearance, we have experienced our share of bridges.

Bascule Bridge – bridge rises from both sides

Railroad track lifting bridge (my name for it)

Swing Bridge

3 different types of bridges within a short distance

We passed through the 1^st lock with ease and arrived at the 2^nd lock within the required time frame because of the superb planning by Russ/Dan.

Once we entered the lock zone, we were requested to pull forward and was directed to move to a specific side / place by the lock master.  Once we stop the boat, we hold on to the lines that are dangling from the top of the lock.  We are instructed to not tie the boat down, as we constantly need to take line in or let line out as the water level rises/falls.

When we are ready to be lifted/dropped, the gates close behind us.

When the water starts to fill the chamber (making the boat rise), the gates gradually open allowing water to come in.  This was a truly neat experience.

After a long day of bridges and locks, we arrived in Clewiston and stayed at a small, 1 dock marina with flies that bite you through you shirt, and noseeum's/mosquito's that attack in swarms.  Off to the East Coast of FL tomorrow.