We
got underway at around 9:30 am from Marker 53 with four boats and 16 people. Here
we are waiting for the Franklin Lock to open so we can continue our journey West. | I
(Bill Shallbetter) did not get any pictures inside the Franklin lock. I was preoccupied
with trying to get my boat to shift into forward gear. After greasing, questioning
the lineage of the motor and adjusting of the shift mechanism, I was able to get
it working just in time for the Eastbound gate to open. | 
We
stopped in La Belle long enough to refuel, both the boats and the occupants. |
 | The
second lock is located between La Belle and Moore Haven. It has an 8' vertical
lift. No pumps are used, they just open the gate enough to let water come in.
|  |
 | You
can see the difference in height here. On the left is as they closed the gate
behind us, and on the right is after they have filled the lock. You can see the
open gates where the water spills in to fill the lock. |  |
 | The
third lock is at Moore Haven. As you can see, it does not lift quite as far as
the second lock. After this lock we are in the Okeechobee waterway. |  |
 | We
stayed at Roland Martin's Marina in Cleweston. Most of the people stayed at the
motel. Here we are snacking at poolside prior to dinner. |  |
Susan
and Bill Shallbetter stayed on their boat in the marina. | | 
As
did Susan Baldwin and, her guest, Nancy. |
 | Here
we are back in La Belle getting fueled up for the trip home. Although it was not
a particularly hot day, Lutz Jesse decided to go for a swim. He must have been
really warm, because he didn't stop to put on his swimming suit. |  |
If
anyone else has pictures of this trip to share, I would be pleased to place them
on web. Since I was driving the boat, I didn't take as many pictures as I would
have liked. |