Fort Lauderdale, Florida. ICW mile 1066

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Many cruisers avoid this part of the ICW by going "outside" to avoid all the bridges. Some open on the 1/2 hour, others every 20 minutes, others on request or when there are enough boats waiting to make it worthwhile. Yesterday we had 18 bridges to get through and making 30 miles took us all day. Nasty weather removed the option for us to go outside.

We treated ourselves to 3 nights in a marina in old Fort Lauderdale - 2 miles off the ICW, up the New River. Nice spot with a riverwalk, restaurants and a big Publix for provisions.

The opulence all around us is stunning - homes that look more like resorts and huge boats are everywhere. Megayachts and even gigayachts (a new concept for us!) throw huge wakes that can cause havoc - luckily most of them are docked.
We have tried to avoid moving on weekends - boat traffic on the ICW becomes crazy as all the "weekend warriors" emerge - all in a hurry to get somewhere - we heard one threaten a sailboat that he would "make him into a catamaran" if he didn't get out of his way.

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Photos

in the tropics at last
we had a nice anchorage in Peck Lake, south of Stuart, for 3 nights and enjoyed a long walk on a beach (just beyond the palms)

first fish
it was only a catfish, but at least a start!

Palm Beach
well named - palm trees everywhere, even on the roof tops

little heron
this little guy has his eye on a fish in the marina - he occupied this mooring line every day we were there

another bridge
missing a bridge opening is no fun as you often have to circle in currents and wind gusts while dodging other boats

Cooley's Landing
the megayacht across the river ("Never Enough") has a full uniformed crew, just waiting for the owner to show up - this part of Fort Lauderdale has historic buildings and classy old homes

megayacht marina
this marina charges $3 a foot for a slip with a minimum of 50 feet! That would be $150 per night for us!

Comments

[Garry]

Well done
Congratulations - you're in the thick of it now! Googled Fort Lauderdale - maps - toured some of the canals - huge properties and large craft moored at back door - wow!