Thursday, March 7, 2013

Radar Overboard...Starboard Side!

Tuesday, March 5th:

Yes, it really happened, Radar went overboard as we were entering the basin of the LaBelle Marina.  He follows just about every step I or Carter make and as I was stepping up onto the superstructure, he jumped on my foot and fell back and then into the water.  He's a very good swimmer and seemed to enjoy his time in the water.  We're just grateful that there were no alligators around!


We had a short day for traveling although we got a lot done.  We stopped at LaBelle Marina for fuel and topped off the water tanks while we were there.  Took time for a short visit with Hank, then left to visit our friend Pat in the oxbow where we began the work on the Archimedes.  Pat wasn't home but we tied up long enough for Carter to make a run on his bike to the hardware store for some necessary items, I gave Radar a bath and washed down the boat.  It was nice and warm in the oxbow and Radar got to run free in the fenced in area.  Then off to Ft. Myers.  It was a nice peaceful stroll down to the river to Franklin Lock and continued on down until dark where we anchored out at a favorite spot in this area right across from the power plant.  Have you ever seen a power plant at night?


They use a lot of power themselves!


Wednesday, March 6th

We decided to wait out a weather front that moved through with rain in the morning before heading out.  It was behind us by about 10:30 am so we headed on down to Ft. Myers.  We stopped at the Ft. Myers city marina for a potty dump and also to meet up with an old friend, Garrett who did some footwork for Carter and brought us some needed gear. We sure do appreciate all our friends who have helped us out!



Everywhere we go...It's All About Radar!
 Everyone wants to talk to the cute dog and Radar loves it!


We got back 'on the road again' to find ourselves in the middle of a gale!  Geez! the wind whipped up along with the waves.  I took this picture after it had calmed down but it's still quite choppy.  Radar was secured down below and we powered through.  Once again, the panels never flinched and the boat plowed on through until we found a nice quiet spot in the lee of St James Island.  It wasn't too bad of an experience but we were tired puppies at the end of the day. 


Our favorite part of the day...marking the map. 

Needless to say, we ate dinner and went to sleep. We were up early this morning (March 7th) and started out at 7:45 am.  We intend to make several long day passages and get some water behind us.


A couple of shots of Ft. Myers.


A sculpture of manatees at the Orange river entrance just as you're getting into Ft. Myers


A sunken boat that will go into my collection of wrecks and derelicts of the Intracoastal Waterway.


The next couple shots of wildlife are from the Okeechobee Waterway.





 



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