Stuart to Lake Okeechobee

Since David is less than 100%, our friend Daryl kindly offered to help us get the boat home.  He has earned our undying gratitude for sure.  We drove back to Stuart without any urgent care stops so a much better trip than going north.  We spent two days getting groceries on board, installing a rebuilt starter and squaring the boat away for the return trip.  We are trying to hustle along and not over-tax our friendship.  Plus David has appointments in February.  Hopefully all will go well and it will be a nice trip.  From Stuart, we went the St. Lucie Canal to Lake Okeechobee.  This section is where the west coast ICW meets the east coast of the ICW and is very scenic and full of history.  We have made the trip several times and if you want more pictures, search previous posts.  There is always something interesting to see.

As we're entering the canal west of Stuart there are several retirement
communities along the banks.

This dock has gone to the birds!

If you're looking for a fixer-upper this house is for you.  You can paint stucco, right?

It's a really large house not sure what the sad story his behind it's
sad state of decline.

This is one palm tree that won't give in to gravity.  Wish my skin was that
determined!

This area seemed to be a boatyard in the making.  No inlets or ponds but a hug
travel lift and already several large, sea-going vessels pulled up onto shore.

This is a really comfortable looking place to sit and enjoy the passing
traffic.  My only issue with it is how green it is in January.  Over
application of fertilizer is the major source of algae bloom responsible
for Red Tide.  The folks along the canal with green yards SHOULD NOT
whine when it hits again in the Spring.

Typical retirement/Snowbird community along the way.