What’s a Picnic Without Horses?

Sunday September 25

We released Prime Time from the dolphins (not Flipper!) and continued west on the waterway. We soon came up on the Moore Haven Lock. The Tender gave us instructions to prepare for a port-side tie, and also warned us of the hyacinths that were clogging the waters. These VERY invasive plants were everywhere! I dodged them as best as possible and transited the lock without problems. We also had to deal with the hyacinths at the Ortona Lock…no problems.

Prime Time entered the western mouth of a small loop just off of the Okeechobee Waterway near Mile Marker 119 around 1430. We had a reservation at the Rialto Harbor Docks …one of Mark’s favorite spots. Jason’s Mom & Dad (Glen & Lois Henry), sister Ashley, and new friend Lesa Tourand, were driving in from Tampa/St. Petersburg and Ft. Lauderdale respectively for a picnic. Jason hadn’t seen his family for 5-6 months. We’re having a party…!

I had planned to dock Prime Time myself, but wind, current, 5 or 6 brokerage yachts lining the narrow channel, and a complicated “nose-in…crab around…port-side tie to a small dock” encouraged me to give Mark the helm. THIS GUY IS GOOD! I don’t think that I’ve ever seen anyone handle a boat better than Mark Mitchell.

The Rialto Harbor Docks are unbelievable! Bus and Nifty Hamilton have created a genuine oasis. Beautiful landscaping, picnic tables, swimming pool, tennis court, and the most “homey” bathhouse I’ve seen all add up to making this a VERY special and VERY unique place. Do yourself a favor and try to make it here.

One of Bus’ hobbies is finding and restoring vintage horse carts and carriages. He took me into his barn next to the office and showed me some of his favorites. He and Nifty then brought out a beautiful pair of 4-year old Morgan’s…hitched them to a carriage…and gave me a horse-drawn tour of their 12 acres. What a treat!

Lesa arrived first. Team Prime Time originally met Lesa at the Atlantic Yacht Basin earlier this month. She’s working on an 80’ Broward yacht based out of Stuart, FL.  They were in Chesapeake, VA waiting out Hurricane Ophelia also. Lesa is a GREAT person…I hope that she enjoys her vacation to Kentucky and Colorado! She and Jason have been in regular (what an understatement!) communication ever since. All three of us were very happy to see her again…probably Jason even more so!

Lesa was kind enough to drive me to a Winn-Dixie supermarket a few miles away. I provisioned Prime Time with enough supplies to get us across the Gulf of Mexico.  Glen, Lois, and Ashley arrived and we had the most enjoyable afternoon and evening. Glen grilled chicken and ears of corn…YUM! Tomorrow is my birthday and Jason’s is the 3^rd of October. He and I were treated to a key lime birthday pie! It was a real old time family picnic. These are all great people and we had a very special day.