Touching a bit of history - Days 159 to 161 - Fort Lauderdale, FL

On Wednesday, I shared with Diana what I had learned from Pam.  Together with Kodi, we took the inside route and followed the Cordova Street canal to New River and then to downtown. 

The home in the photo below as viewed from the Cordova Street canal is owned by a boat manufacturer and, according to locals, is used as a background for photographing their yachts.

On the way downtown we passed Wayne Huizenga's home where there appeared to be a wedding in progress.  The folks were dressed to the nines.

Note: Huizenga founded Waste Management, Blockbuster and AutoNation.  Hyuizenga's palatial compound can be accessed by land at the end of Ponce De Leon.  An unmanned police cruiser sits in front.

Wedding at Huizenga's palatial compound



Downtown restaurant where you can tie up and eat

When we arrived downtown we docked at the town's floating pier, explored the river walk and discovered a bit of Fort Lauderdale culture. 

View of  New River from the river walk.



Museum of Science and Discovery

Broward Center for the Performing Arts



Historic New River Inn built in 1905

One of the highlights of this adventure was a monstrous kinetic energy clock in the courtyard of the Museum of Science and Discovery.  Sitting 52 feet high it is the largest kinetic energy sculpture in Florida and one of three kinetic energy clocks in the entire world. 

Kinetic energy clock

What was particularly interesting to me is the fact that the clock was donated by JM Family Enterprises, Inc. Those of us who are old enough may remember Jim Moran the courtesy man.  Moran went on to found Southeast Toyota and then became a competitor of the Pat Ryan & Associates (now known as the The Warranty Group), the company where I spent 38 years.  Moran was also a well respected yachtsman and his passing was noted by Yachting Magazine.  Click on the links to learn more.  Moran's story is fascinating.

Thursday, late morning  cold front pushed through bringing with it thunderstorms with high winds followed by light rain.  The whole episode lasted about two hours.  The remainder of the day was beautiful with cooler temperatures and a spectacular sunset.

Sunset viewed from the Lauderdale Yacht Club

Friday, we spent the afternoon with one of my oldest friends (circa 1978), Jim Long, the famous Chevrolet dealer (actually in the late 70s the largest Chevrolet dealer in the US)  Again, those of us with a few years will remember Long's nephew, Timmy the paperboy, ("Extra, extra....).  Jim now lives in Gainesville with his daughter Maureen (Mo).  We had lunch at the yacht club and reminisced about old times.  It was great fun reconnecting.

Jim Long.  One of my oldest friends

Can't resist a photo by the boat

FYI: I spent my 38 year career with The Warranty Group, a company that supplied consulting service and insurance products to dealers (who then marketed the products to their customers).  That company was founded by Pat Ryan who went on to found Aon Corporation, the largest commercial insurance brokerage in the world.  So it is interesting that in a period of 3 days, my path touched four of the biggest names in the automobile business (Huizenga, Moran, Long and Ryan).

Written by Les.