Ft. Lauderdale to Miami, FL

Today:          33 miles        6.9 hours          ICW St M “1092”

Total:       1258 miles    186.7 hours

     We departed the mooring field around 9 am only to cross over to the marina to fill up water. Then we were on our way.  It didn’t take long to get to Port Everglades and out onto the ocean or rather The Straights of Florida.

Homes of Ft. Lauderdale

Naval Training

     No sooner were we underway, when TowBoat, captained by the former Coastie we met on Saturday came over to say, “congrats on getting the problem solved! Have a safe cruise.  By the way, please keep closer than ½ mile to shore. The Naval vessel is doing training 2 miles off shore.”  We had heard the broadcast on the radio and were prepared.  The naval vessel was a submarine doing surface training.  We kept our distance.
   The breezes were too light to do any sailing, but the Gulf Stream eddies helped to keep us cruising at around 7 mph.

A very clear day on the water!

     

Another film crew

The color is always magical!

     Off of Miami, we heard one of those large cigarette-type boats crossing our bow.  It was being “chased” by a helicopter.  Once again, a film crew!  It passed us 3 times before the helicopter headed back.  The crew on board the boat enjoyed a little more, fast sea time.

     

         

        

    

     We saw the port of Miami very active today.  It was interesting watching the containers being unloaded off the ships.

     As we made the turn from the main channel to the Rickenbacker Bridge, we saw the ship SEAFAIR once again docked in Miami.  We had heard then seen it traveling north past the Riviera Beach Marina while we were there.  It has a very impressive and loud sound system!

         

    Approaching the bridge, Pete got concerned with the north bound yacht.  This 100-foot plus boat was zig-zagging while passing under the bridge.  Pete waited until he was clear before we took our turn passing under the bridge.

     There must have been a dense patch of grass where we tried to anchor.  It took 2 attempts to get the hook to catch. Once it, we were in solid.

     Pete had to get down below and on a conference call, so I stayed above and watched the sail boat races that were one regatta was taking place about a mile from the anchorage.  There were 3 more groups further south that I could see.  They headed back to the western shore around 5.
     

     When Pete took Bailey to shore after her dinner, the wind pushed the dinghy further onto the shore.  Pete got his jeans wet getting the dinghy back to floating. When he took Bailey for her 9 pm walk, he put on shorts and his clogs. He then called me to put om the anchor light.  The problem was it was already on, but not working.  I got out our old aft hanging one.

~ ~ ~ /) ~ ~ K & P