Indian Town to Clewiston to LaBelle

There are few options for marinas on the first part of the Okeechobee Waterway.  Because we have Jack and Piper to walk every morning and night, it is easier for us to stay in a marina rather than anchor somewhere and take the dinghy ashore.  There are even fewer anchorages in our area and the waters are full of alligators who love to dine on sweet loving Labrador retrievers.  We found a marina in Indian Town.

After leaving Indian Town Marina when the fog lifted we continued along toward Clewiston which is on the western side of Lake Okeechobee.  

Lift Bridge in the distance.

Lift bridge up close

Lock into Lake Okeechobee

Lake Okeechobee is sometimes called "The Big O" by the locals.  I  is the largest freshwater lake in the state of Florida.  Okeechobee covers 730 sq mi a and is exceptionally shallow for a lake of its size, with an average depth of only 9 feet.. The lake is divided between.Glades, Okeechobee, Martin, Palm Beach and Hendry counties  All five counties meet at one point near the center of the lake.

 These two structures are seen in the middle of Lake Okeechobee--looks like a bird haven to me.  After about an hour we crossed the lake and entered the more narrow part of the waterway again in Clewiston.

From Clewiston to LaBell there is not much development along the waterway.  There are scattered homes throughout but the area along the waterway is primarily agricultural.

 

Bee Hives

 There were no marina's along the waterway near LaBelle where we ended up at the end of the day.  We found a free marina--however, the slips were not wide enough for us--we need 16 feet.  We tied up to the park across several slips.  No one was there, the dogs were able to walk to a nice park. LaBelle is known for its honey.  Harole P. Curtis Honey Company makes its home in LaBelle.