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February 7, 2013 Day 272

Franklin Lock Corps of Engineers Campground, Alva, FL
Total miles to date: 4635.9

As planned, we met Don and Anita (Limelight) for breakfast at 9:00 and enjoyed our last get together before we both departed today in separate directions.

Another beautiful home along the river!

Don & Anita and Bob & Cathryn (Next to Me), helped us cast off our lines and we headed east on the Caloosahatchee River out of Fort Myers.  We only had 14 miles to travel today and enjoyed our slow pace up the river.  We were surprised to see so many homes along the river – many along manmade canals. 



One of many man-made canals for residents

Crossing under I-75!

Entering the Franklin Lock

We arrived at the Franklin Lock at 12:30 and only waited a few minutes for the green light to enter.  The lock only raised us two feet so we were in and out in less than 20 minutes.  We had not been in a lock since early November!  We will go through five locks before we reach Stuart, Florida next week.

We departed the lock and went right into the Franklin Lock Campground operated by the Corps of Engineers. This site includes eight docks with 50 amp power and potable water.  By using our National Parks Senior Member Card, we were only charged $12.00/night!  There are also several campers here. The site is well maintained and has many trees. Because it is above the lock and dam, it is fresh water.  We like it here and have decided to spend two nights. It is refreshing to be at a dock in a park like setting. 



One of the Limpits that frequent this area

We identified (our dock neighbors actually identified it for us) a bird we had not seen before.  The Limpit is a long legged bird similar to a crane and appears to “limp” when walking.  This one was extremely noisy!

We grilled chicken for dinner and spent a quiet night relaxing and watching television.