Fourteen boats from our RV Park made the 65 mile trip to the Lake. Here are a few random shots of parts of the flotilla (from our boat).
We didn't all travel together. Most of the pontoon boats left earlier because they are slower -- but we never did catch up! There are three locks to go through on the trip and sometimes you have to wait for them to open.
Lake Okeechobee is at the edge of the Everglades. It's the second-largest freshwater lake located wholly within the United States and is a major part of Florida's water management system. It's a scenic trip with lots of wildlife and birds (in a future post).
That's us on our boat in the picture above -- a friend who drove arrived early enough to take pictures of all of us as we passed a dike near the Marina where we stayed.
We boat past orange groves and were very happy to see that they survived the few days of freezing weather we had last month. (Wish I could share how wonderful they smell.)
We stayed at Martin Marina which also has a gift shop, a tiki bar/restaurant, and a motel. Only a couple of us have sleep-a-board boats.
The weather was nice going and a little chilly coming home. We had a good time as always .... and most important, we didn't lose anybody on the way over or on the way back. We first made this trip six years ago, shortly after we bought our used boat (it was our first overnight boat trip). We had lots of trouble on the way and so I am always happy when that doesn't happen to anyone else. Here is the earlier post about that trip. (Gosh I've been blogging a long time.)
Linking to OUR WORLD ON TUESDAY. Thank you to Lady Fi, Sandy, Sylvia, Arija, Gattina, and Jen.
Happy to know your trip was fine and safe. Here more and more sun, less and less snow, and the first, very little spring flowers...
Posted by: Annie | March 08, 2015 at 01:05 AM
Nice looking boat. I grew up boating on rivers and kind of miss it. What a wonderful adventure to go 65 miles.
Posted by: Gaelyn | March 06, 2015 at 05:07 PM
A very nice trip to a lovely location. Thanks for sharing it.
Posted by: Dianne | March 04, 2015 at 08:17 AM
Enjoy, enjoy! One of these days, I'd like to have a boat adventure.
Take 25 to Hollister
Posted by: Su-sieee! Mac | March 04, 2015 at 07:55 AM
Dearest Sallie; I googled picture page of 'flotilla and pontoon boat' p:) How fun it must be to enjoy boat trip♡♡♡ And safe trip home without any trouble is the most important thing, isn't it☆☆☆ Great to read you could enjoy seeing orange groves and their sweet smell as well♡♡♡ And yes, I also am looking forward to see the birds pictures.
I REALLY loved to read your thoughtful comments, Dear friend.
Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend in America, xoxo Miyako*
Posted by: orchid | March 03, 2015 at 11:45 PM
I did not know that Lake Okeechobee was the second largest freshwater lake in the US! It looks beautiful. I would have loved to smell the orange grove.
Posted by: Pat @ Mille Fiori Favoriti | March 03, 2015 at 10:25 PM
Oh I can't wait to see the birding photos from your trip! Your boat is awesome and I'm glad there were no issues. My uncle traded in his houseboat for a pontoon boat and personally, I like the pontoon so much better. We're all on the same level and it's completely open to let that wonderful sea (or bayou) breeze through. Great post!
Posted by: Gail Dixon | March 03, 2015 at 12:05 PM
Great shots! What a fun place to visit.
Posted by: Marie-AZ | March 03, 2015 at 08:16 AM
cool boat trip!!!! :)
Posted by: laura | March 03, 2015 at 06:27 AM
How fun that must be! Ive always wanted a pontoon boat just to laze around on and watch birds (they seem to tolerate boats), my X had fishing boats and he would sometimes take me along for ballast..lol
Posted by: Sondra-SC | March 03, 2015 at 05:26 AM
Those shots look a lot like some parts of Queensland (but without the 'roos!)
Nice.
Cheers - Stewart M - Melbourne
Posted by: Stewart M | March 03, 2015 at 04:21 AM
oh how lovely! looks like my sort of place to visit
Posted by: Amy | March 03, 2015 at 12:39 AM
What a beautiful place !
Posted by: Gattina | March 03, 2015 at 12:21 AM
I would LOVE to visit an orange grove--I can only imagine how wonderful the fragrance would be! Nice trip!! Blessings, Aimee
Posted by: Aimee | March 02, 2015 at 09:36 PM
This looks to be super fun. And you and your boat look to be so dashing. Thanks for this delightful blog post - great stuff!
It brings out the shanty-er in me....
♫ A LIFE on the ocean wave,
A home on the rolling deep,
Where the scattered waters rave,
And the winds their revels keep....♫
Have a great week.
Posted by: Derek | March 02, 2015 at 09:14 PM
What a lovely trip - great way to travel!
Posted by: Lady Fi | March 02, 2015 at 08:46 PM
65 miles is a pretty good distance for a boat. It looks like a great adventure.
I remember as a kid in the mountains of Arizona we would go to Phoenix and stay in trailer parks where there were orange trees. They did smell nice.
Posted by: Yogi | March 02, 2015 at 07:48 PM
Refreshing lake pictures!
Posted by: Kusum | March 02, 2015 at 07:43 PM
That sounds and looks like such a delightful trip. I'm living vicariously through you, Sallie.
Posted by: Penny | March 02, 2015 at 07:21 PM
Your trip sounds wonderfully relaxing. I wish I could smell those orange groves.
Posted by: Barb | March 02, 2015 at 06:58 PM
Oh...I wish I was with you....lovely
Posted by: Ramblingwoods | March 02, 2015 at 06:05 PM
Beautiful shots of the place. The lake is very much inviting.
Posted by: Rajesh | March 02, 2015 at 04:40 PM
Wonderful boat trip! you are such a lovely lady to say that you had lots of troubles some years ago, but you hoped that it won't happen to anybody else
Have a lovely spring day and week, Sally!
Wil, ABCW Team.
Posted by: Reader Wil | March 02, 2015 at 03:15 PM
the names of these bodies of water are tongue twisters.
Posted by: Photo Cache | March 02, 2015 at 03:08 PM
Great shots and sounds like so much fun!
Posted by: Carver | March 02, 2015 at 02:28 PM
Oh! What fun! You always have the best adventures!
Linda ♪♫❤
http://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com
https://coloradofarmlife.wordpress.com/sherlock-boomer
Posted by: Linda | March 02, 2015 at 02:05 PM
What a wonderful way to view the wildlife.
Posted by: fun60 | March 02, 2015 at 01:14 PM
Loved hearing about little man. :-)
Posted by: texwisgirl | March 02, 2015 at 01:11 PM
How blessed you are ~ Wonderful photos and so inviting from here in MA ~ with all our snow!
Happy Week to you,
artmusedog and carol
Posted by: artmusedog and carol | March 02, 2015 at 01:09 PM
awesome way to travel. if your boat fails you, others can jump in to help!
Posted by: TexWisGirl | March 02, 2015 at 01:00 PM
Sallie, this boat trip looks like fun! I would enjoy seeing all the birds along the way too. I am sure the scenery is lovely like the orange trees.. Great post and photos.. Have a happy new week ahead!
Posted by: Eileen | March 02, 2015 at 12:31 PM
Oh, what a fun trip!! You always have the best!! Thanks for sharing, love your photos for the day!! Hope you have a great new week!!
Posted by: sylviakirk | March 02, 2015 at 12:25 PM
Great Shots, Looks like a great trip
Posted by: Pete | March 02, 2015 at 11:56 AM
Looks lovely. I am so glad you enjoyed it. We had a sprinkling of snow today, with more promised during the noght😊.
Posted by: Hazel | March 02, 2015 at 11:29 AM