February 1, 2007

I woke up today in East Fort Myers next to the railroad trestle without having more than one train go by. Tonight I am in Moore Haven, FL at the city dock with full power for everything and all is getting charged. Tomorrow I wil stay here and clean all of the salt off of the boat and refill with fresh water. But first of all it has been a good day again but another learning process. After breakfast I left my spot and in just a hop, skip and a jump here was Franklin lock on the waterway. This was my first lock and I was so nervous, skittering around putting out my fenders, getting my lines ready. Hah, he throws you the lines in my case if you are alone on the boat. The rule is there must be two lines on the boat. I was the show of the day. Popping out of my house and tying the line on the front and then rushing back to tie the stern. All other boats had two people. A big Hatteras in front of me passed me last night going into Ft. Myers yacht club, members only well my spot was much quieter behind that railroad trestle but he had the last laugh. The wind was my enemy today it swung me in the locks like I was a toy much to the joy of the big boats. Once I got out of number one and on my way and everything shipshape here I had to sweat the next lock which seemingly appeared out of nowhere, now this is happening to fast to be fun. Well into the second lock I go and here were my friends from the first who had added a buddy that was right behind me. This trawler had such a high bow and was so long that I couldn't even see his anchor above me. This time I got the bow line on and the stern swung way out in the middle so I had to use reverse and the bow line as a spring line to make my stern go to the wall much to the delight of the others. When I found out I could make the last lock before Lake Okeechobee today I said no way. I am tied up to Moore Haven City Dock and have had supper and am writing this and I will put off the joy of one more lock visit until tomorrow or later as it is supposed to be stormy and windy again tomorrow. All in all it wasn't so bad I didn't see any scratches or dents when I tied up tonight but tomorrow is another day. But in between all of the bad there is those beautiful palms swaying in the wind, cattle in the pasture on the edge of the waterway. Also there is all the different kinds of boats that are gathered in one place. Today I saw a family on a houseboat that was home built, bicycles and all pushed by two old 25 horse Mercuries that were still humming along and everybody was really enjoying themselves sitting on the front of the bow and waving. You don't have to be rich to enjoy life but if you are you sure can leave a bigger wake for someone else to bounce on. Time to go to bed and rest and get ready for the next show.