Today: 51 miles, 10 hours,
ICW, St. M 1092
Total: 1222.2 miles, 188.25
hours
We tried to make
the 8 am opening of the Camino Real Bridge.
Unfortunately, once Bailey was taken to shore, we needed to raise the
dinghy. We are still trying to perfect the technique for raising it now that we
have the heavier dinghy motor. After I bent the telescoping boat hook trying to
preposition the dinghy as it raised, we had to re-evaluate our technique
again. The extra time caused us to lift
the anchor was supposed to be spent waiting at the bridge, just south of the
anchorage. So instead we made the 8:20 opening.
Unfortunately, that made us late for the 8:30 opening of the next
bridge. This was the first, but there
was a total of the 3 bridges we had to practice “dancing in the wind and
current.”
 |
| The super yachts of Fort Lauderdale |
 |
| Garage on the starboard! |
 |
| Super modern /Unique home in Ft. Lauderdale |
 |
| Graffiti on the mansion? |
Pete had to work this morning, so I was the
one to dance at another 2 bridges. Just
as I was trying to make the Los Olas Blvd Bridge, a work barge with crane cut
in front of me. He was traveling slower that me, so I needed to slow my speed
that I needed to make the 11 am opening.
Thankfully, he was able to get the bridge to open at 11:15 and we and
another sailboat were able to pass through.
However, with the barge in front of me, we were not able to get the
speed to make the 11:30 of the 17
th Street Bridge. As we were
approaching, the bridge tender initiated the closing of the bridge. The barge
needed to slow to an almost stop so that the crane boom could be lowered so
that it could pass under the 55-foot bridge. We have passed under this closed bridge
before, but it is always stressful. There is no way to watch from the boat and
judge the clearance between the top of the mast and the underside of the
bridge.
 |
The 17th Street Bridge opened,
but closing too soon! |
 |
| Research Vessel ALUCIA |
 |
| Port Everglades Cruise Ships |
 |
| Port Everglades Inleet |
Once through, we
were in Port Everglades and access to an outside jump. We decided that after having to “dance” for 3
of the 9 bridges we have passed already, we didn’t want to deal with the
remaining 13 bridges we would have to clear before entering the Port of
Miami. Hum… 13 bridges or a smooth
transit with no obstructions for the next 3 hours and make better time by not
continuing on the ICW?!? As anticipated,
it was an easy trip. The only area that
was a challenge was the entrance to Miami.
The current was outgoing and we were inbound. As a result of the strong current, our max
speed in the channel dropped to 4.5 mph.
Thankfully, that only lasted for about a mile and a half.
 |
She loves her comfort,
even if it is electrical lines
and an anchor! |
 |
USCG conducting drills
This is the USCG DOLPHIN's replacement
(Greg was assigned to the DOLPHIN during on our first cruise in 2011!) |
We were finally
able to drop the anchor around 5pm south of the Bay Bridge/Rickenbacker
Causeway. We had a pretty sunset and as
twilight descended, the super yacht GRAND LUX headed south with a party
onboard. This is one of the strangest yachts we have seen. She is 225 feet and about 5 stories tall, but
she has no windows on any of the floors except the top. She is for hire for events, meetings and
weddings. Pete checked the internet and
the interior was very nice, but why would you pay for a water venue with only
water views from the top floor and upper deck?
 |
| Good night, all |
Before bed,
everything was prepped for another early start in the morning. We are heading to Marina Del Mar in Key Largo, where we will stay until the winds calm down by Monday.
~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K
& P
No comments:
Post a Comment