May 25                                    Lake Okeechobee, Florida

We left the dock at Gulf Harbor Marina at 8:30 AM and headed for Fort Myers Municipal Marina for fuel and pump out.  We bought two new fenders, smaller than the ones on the boat and easier for me to handle. Following our chart and GPS, we headed up the Caloosahatchee River and the Caloosahatchee Canal to Lake Okeechobee.  Enroute we went through four locks and under a succession of bridges.  All the lock and bridge masters were pleasant, cooperative, and quick to respond. 

We spent the night at Roland Martin’s Marina, located on the west side of the lake and the starting point for the twenty-five mile journey across.  Our docking was an embarrassment. The lines and fenders were not ready and we almost panicked when we realized we had no dock assistance.  Fortunately, some other boaters quickly came to our aid, took our lines, and gave us instructions on placing the fenders.  The marina was a charming place, small and quaint.  There was an active restaurant and outside bar overlooking the water.