Birds welcoming us to Lake Okeechobee

Looking out at the lake from the lock as we exit into the lake

Lake Okeechobee is the second largest fresh water lake in the US. It's always nice to have a calm day to cross

A boat that didn't make it across. The whole lake isn't more than 15 feet deep in any spot

We don't know what this is on the lake, but we think it's the drain plug. Don't pull it now!

We spent the night tied between two barge dolphins in the middle of nature. this is the one at the bow

This is our stern dolphin. I wish I had a picture of September Song between the two

Just before sunset this crazy guy in an air boat comes whizzing by between us and the shore so close I could read what it said on his hat. (It said crazy red neck!)

Freeze damage to the palm trees from that cold front you Northerners sent down

Horse farms

Cattle farms

White heron

Cormorant drying his wings

Blue Heron

Osprey screeching at us as we pass

Blue heron

A white and a brown egret fishing the shore

I have never seen so many birds

Birds fishing along the shore of the lake

Hundreds of birds of every kind call this area home

A pair of bald eagles looking for their next meal

Coming into the Ortona locks on the Okeechobee water way

September Songs line handler, Admiral Stephanie

Sugar cane fields that go on forever

Bee hives to pollinate the crops

If it floats, they live on it

It has a little sag in the middle, but they still call it home

You needed to see this one to appreciate it. I think everything they own and then some is on this boat

It doesn't have to float to live in it

Great little getaway along the river

This one is For Sale. You could cruise with 100 of your friends.

Fort Denaud swing bridge. The lady bridge tender has to walk out to the middle of the bridge to open it

The lady bridge tender operating the bridge. Can you say "it's been there 100 years." At least she doesn't have to crank it by hand.

Orange groves along the water way

Red neck getaway. Notice the front seat on the left out of his pick-em-up truck

Cattle farms

You're not seeing things. It's a camel and a llama

They come in all shapes and sizes on the water ways. The guy in front is playing his air guitar for us

Happy girl #1 finally getting to play in the water. WOW Dad! This isn't salty

Happy girl #2 chasing fish and chunks of tree

September Song's new home for a couple of days at the Franklin Locks Recreation Area.