The Caloosahatchee River

Alva, FL
26 43.40 N 081 41.46 W

Andre was right. This is a beautiful area. As we motored up the river today, civilization gradually became less intense, and the nature more intense. It is also very secure and safe since we're on a river. I could easily understand that one could easily set anchor here and find that the weeks and months just slip past unnoticed.

We also did a gradual strip as the morning advanced. When we left the mooring, the temperature was 39F (4C). We wore long underwear, sweaters, jackets, gloves and wool hats. By noon it was 70F(21C) and we were wearing shorts and t-shirts.

We are also in fresh water. An added benefit of that is that after a couple of days, the creatures that grow and cling to Tarwathie's bottom will die and start falling off; in other words, we get a free bottom cleaning.

We're spending tonight at the Franklin Lock/Campground/Marina. It's a real bargain, only $12 for a night at a slip with electricity, water, laundry and showers. An added attraction is that it is also an RV camp ground. I just talked with a nice RV couple from Wisconsin. They have a powerful telescope and tripod for bird watching. With that I could see great birds and even fish below the surface from a long distance. That is a nice toy that could never be used on the deck of a boat.

By tomorrow we should be far from civilization. Our goal is to visit the ranching town of LaBelle, only 15 miles away. The weather should be about the same as today's. It should make for a lazy day.