Navigator on the Loop

After a few weeks we are finally updating this blog. Jan and I spent a total of almost five weeks in Fort Myers Beach. We left to begin the "Great Loop" on Monday, March 31 around noon.

We stayed overnight at Moore Haven, FL just on the east side of Lake Okeechobee. The lake was so calm which made the crossing easy. The depth finder never showed over 11.8 ft deep in the channel of that big lake. The locks fill the chamber from the lock gate rather than the bottom of the lock as we are used to in the Mississippi. It takes more tending of the lines than Jan was expecting but everything is a learning curve. On Tuesday we boated to Stuart, FL on the east coast of Florida. Wednesday got us to Melbourne, FL. We passed an old naked sailor but he quickly sat down as we passed! Thursday was a great travel day and we made around 115 miles to Palm Coast, FL. Wow what a beautiful place that is! There is a European Village with several shops and restaurants. We will certainly return there again if we are in the area.

Friday we arrived at Fernandina, FL. We passed several looper boats today and several of them are staying here also, most in the marina but some on mooring balls. We experienced our first "docktail" party. It was fun and interesting to meet other "loopers". On Sat. we made a short 40 mile trip to Brunswick, Ga. We left the boat here for 1 month back in 2010 so it is a familiar stop. The town is old and quaint with many old beautiful homes and the people are so very nice. The bikes have been such a great addition as we have seen so much more of the towns. A 2 mile trip to the grocery now becomes a possibility. It is amazing how much bouncing a dozen eggs will tolerate in the basket of a bike!

There is rain in tomorrows forecast and we would like to move a little farther north, we will see in the morning.

Below are some pictures we want to share.

Bike ride in MN today?

We aren't going to miss this!!! At least it wasn't below zero!

This is I35E, snow packed and slippery leaving from John and Kristine's house in Lino Lakes.

Apparently 40 mph wasn't fast enough. IT WAS FOR ME!!!

If you could avoid driving, it is beautiful.

Over confidence of 4X4 drivers

Here is another 4X4 in the ditch.

Thank you for visiting Minnesota? You are welcome!

Our gray car was covered in salt when we arrived at the Chicago Mertz's house. The car and bikes got a quick wash job before leaving for Florida. Chicago has had enough snow also.