The wind was a bit fierce overnight with winds 10mph and gusts up to 22mph but we didn’t feel too much in our protected marina.  We found calm waters in the morning.  Compare this picture with the yesterday’s picture of the marina.  Waters are very calm!  Wayne backed us up, turned us around and we were off to the next destination.

Leaving River Forest Marina

We wanted calm waters because we have one more lock to go through in Florida.  Why not try something entirely different.  Right?

Calm Waters on the St Lucie Canal

Calm Waters behind us.

Here it is!!  St Lucie Lock:

St. Lucie Lock sign

This lock looks different than the others.  More metal and less concrete.  The lock master provided the lines as before.  Not all locks do that, as we are told.  Sometimes we have to use our own lines (ropes) to hold on to the wall.  We also changed things up this time.

Lock walls – metal and concrete

I grabbed on to the line at the bow and cleated it quickly.  I walked quickly to the rear of the boat (stern) and grabbed a line.  Wayne left the bridge and went to the front (bow) so he could see what was going on.  This gives Wayne the ‘heads up’ he can let go of the bow line, climb back up to the fly bridge and get the boat ready to move forward out of the lock.  Seemed to work better.  The lock master told us we were going down to the river level.  What?  I am getting shorter?  Just how short am I going to get? 17 feet shorter.  Do you see the water lines level lines?  Yep…water line is very evident.  I counted the steps I saw along the wall and 17 was the count.  How fascinating!

lock doors beginning to open

Lock doors opening

Every lock should be this calm!!  The lock master also told Wayne we had a manatee go through the lock with us. “It has a damaged fin so please be careful going out of the lock, Captain” said the Lock Master.  We didn’t see it.

Leaving St Lucie Lock – do you see the Manatee?

As we have seen along this waterway, lots of fine looking house.  This one stood out because workers were finishing up on the exterior.  Notice the painted rails on the lawn as if they were drying in the sunlight waiting to be put on the second story?

House being built, not yet complete

Right up the waterway and we go under a couple rather tall bridges.  55 feet clearance.  No need to duck!  Wayne says you know when you are on the east coast of FL.  I-75 is on the west side.  I-95 is on the east side.  Just how do those facts stay lodged in his brain?  Check it out.  He is right!

I-95 Overhead

Old Roosevelt 9 foot bridge loomed up ahead.  We waited a few minutes for another tall fishing boat to go through the opening with us.  Actually, in this picture you can see 3 bridges.  The Old Roosevelt 9ft bridge (blue), the Britt Point rail road bridge (brown raised structure), and the new Roosevelt Bridge with its 65 ft clearance in the far background.

3 Bridges

Finally, the last corner to negotiate and we are at our destination for the next several days.

Sunset at Stuart, FL

A good day on the river today. A short day compared to some.  Only 10 nautical miles or so.  Smooth and calm.  The next several days will be rough and windy.  For now, everything is still calm.  City lights from our back deck of Highway 1.

Evening lights along the Highway 1 over the St Lucie River