Hamburgers and an Eagle – Clewiston and Lake “O”

If you enjoy a fresh and juicy hamburger, the kind that is really messy – filled with grilled onions, ‘shrooms, and bacon – we recommend you visit one of our VERY favorite burger stops in Clewiston, FL; Roland and Mary Ann Martin’s Marina.

BurgersAtRolandAndMartin

On Friday and Saturday nights the place is rocking – live music and dancing. The beer is served really, really cold – so join the fun – or bring earplugs!

DAY 3 – A Nor’easter, 20 to 25 knots, blew all night long. Early Saturday morning we pondered, “should I stay, or should I go?” If we stayed, would it be another sleepless night? If we left, would it be a miserable ride? The Clewiston dockmaster, salty Captain Sam, cautioned us, “Stay off the lake or you might run aground between the swells – take the rim route, just take it slow.” Take it Slow? Well, that’s our only speed!

Lake Okeechobee is a massive body of water. Most boats opt to traverse the middle of the lake, since it’s a direct route. The second option is a perimeter route, an extra 11 miles or about 2 hours for a slow going trawler. The center route can be a little overwhelming for novice boaters – especially when there is no land in sight. In good weather, the Lake can be up to 14 feet deep, but when it hasn’t rained for a while in spots it’s extremely shallow. Bottom line, getting stuck can cause tremendous damage to your boat, and it’s no fun, especially in nasty weather.

Heading Capt Sam’s advice, we followed a cherry red trawler from Queenstown, Maryland. Wye Tug bears a gold looper flag, that means they successfully finished the loop, some sections multiple times. Exhale is a white looper, for now. If you ever see a platinum colored flag, the boat has finished the loop multiple times!

SlimsFishCampSwingBridge — Slims Fishing Camp Swinging Bridge

Together we waited for the swinging bridge at Slim’s Fishing Camp to open. Thanks to Dick and Phyllis Radlinski, Wye Tug, who spotted an eagle along the way!