 What does the Intracoastal Waterway
have to do with Southwest Florida? It passes almost through
our backyard as it winds its way from New York to Texas. A
trip to the Gulf or across the state to the East Coast lets
you join the hundreds of voyagers who are taking advantage of
this major route for boats.
 The portion of the Intracoastal Waterway that
leaves Fort Pierce, winds through Lake Okeechobee (the "Big
O") and down the Caloosahatchee River into the Gulf seems to
take you back through time. Miles of lazy river drifting past
farmland, riverfront estates and green riverbanks join the
series of locks that control the water flow in and out of the
lake. An opportunity to take even a small part of this journey
shouldn't be missed.
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 When you head out on the
Caloosahatchee River to Fort Myers or Cape Coral, you are
riding the Intracoastal. Boating up Pine Island Sound toward
Cayo Costa and Boca Grande is yet another portion of this
great waterway.
If you are new to the area, pay attention to the markers on
the ICW and in all of the local waterways. You can be fooled
by specific rules - we always try to remember the ICW route
this way - red-right-Texas - yes we know it doesn't make sense
but it works!
All of the ICW markers have yellow markings to indicate the
ICW but it's easy to get confused. And most importantly, pay
attention to the slow speed zones - with all of the media
attention, you can be sure that someone is watching! |
