Boating Adventures - Day 158 - Fort Lauderdale, FL

Fort Lauderdale, the Venice of America, is undoubtedly the boating capitol of the US.  The area just north of Port Everglades along A1A (SE 17th Street) is loaded with big name boat dealers, brokers and working marinas.  More of these are found in the downtown just a little over a mile north and east along new river.

Working marinas along SE 17th

Downtown marina

That's a 92 foot Riva worth millions at the Apex Marina

The area south of 17th Street is loaded with expensive homes along an intricate and expansive system of canals.  Our home for the last 5 days was the Lauderdale Yacht Club on SE 12th street, which is located on the east end of two of the canals with a spectacular view of the ICW.

Lauderdale Yacht Club looking southeast

This was our first stay at a yacht club and we could easily get used to the yacht club culture.  Quiet, good security, great facilities and a first class restaurant with reasonable prices.  The only hang-up is they don't allow dogs.  But they were tolerant of the Fury Kid.  Another bonus was having dinner each night and having a view of Guided Discovery.

Self explanatory

Pam stayed with us on Monday night and on Tuesday, we spent the afternoon exploring the Fort Lauderdale canals.  The sights were absolutely amazing with large boats, large yachts and mega yachts about.  Pam acted as my tour guide and captained the Caribe.

The homes along the canals are also spectacular.

Note the large yacht parked to the left

And they're still building

As we journeyed up New River to the downtown area we were literally caught in a traffic jam (on the water).

And of course there's Steven Spielberg's 280 foot 7 Seas docked just north of Port Everglades.  See the last article for more pictures of 7 Seas.

The weather was spectacular (although slightly overcast with a front approaching)T

And Pam had a ball piloting the dingy although she was a little heavy on the throttle.  I'm not sure she was thrilled with my constant reminders that we were in no/minimum wake zones.  Oh well, there were no cops around.

Written by Les.

Time to move - Day 157 - Miami to Fort Lauderdale, FL

It was difficult leaving paradise but it was clearly time to move with social engagements and a trip to Chicago on the horizon.  So, Monday at 10:00 AM, after the usual preparations (i.e., lift the dingy, load the bikes, etc.) we departed Grove Isle and its peaceful marina with great amenities and access to Coconut Grove.

We leave Grove Isle in our wake

We headed north along the shore, passed Mercy Hospital, turned east onto the Derring Channel at the Vizcaya Mansion and headed to the Rickenbacker Causeway Bridge where we joined the ICW (Intracoastal Waterway) for our journey north to Adventura (North Miami).

Vizcaya Mansion (photo taken several days ago)

We Passed by downtown Miami's high rises and the cruise ships on Government Cut as we wended our way north to Adventura where were to meet Pam Rose and her parents. 

The scenery on the way to Adventura is simply spectacular with high rises, especially to the east along Miami Beach, and large mansions.  Pure eye candy.  The only "hang-up' was waiting 15 minutes for the Miami Causeway Bridge, a 12 foot bridge which opens on the 1/2 hour.

We arrived at Waterways Marina at 1:30 PM, parked next to a Gazebo and a 100 foot plus yacht.  We explored the facility while we waited for Pam, Eunice and Leonard.

Guided Discovery dwarfed by Freedom

Then Pam arrived and Kodi gave her a very enthusiastic greeting after which we all had lunch at the dockside restaurant.  As is our custom, we dined alfresco.

Leonard, Pam, Eunice and Diana

Around 3:50 PM, we departed with Pam for the 13 mile run north to Fort Lauderdale where she had arranged dockage at the Lauderdale Yacht Club.  On this segment of the run we passed numerous restaurants with the dockage facilities.  Rham Emanual please take notice.  Chicago could add revenue by allowing downtown restaurants on the Chicago River to add docks.

Restaurant with dockage along the ICW

Kodi approved of Pam's navigating through the ICW but watched her just to make sure.




We passed through Port Everglades, a working port, just before we arrived in fort Lauderdale.  Notice the freighter loading yachts.  Those yachts could be bound for the Mediterranean or the West Coast.  We also encountered heavy traffic.  Notice the two freighters leaving through the cut.

Freighter loading yachts (for transatlantic passage?)

Two freighters leaving Port Everglades one behind the other

The S.E. 17th Street bridge basically delineates Port Everglades from the waters of Fort Lauderdale, the boating mecca of the US.  Notice the cluster of large and LARGER yachts.  The third photo is of 7 Seas, a 280 foot $200,000,000 yacht rumored to be owner by Steven Spielberg.  Check out the link.  Welcome to Fort Lauderdale. 

7 Seas (rumored to be owned by Steven Spielberg)

At 5:30 PM, we tied up at Lauderdale Yacht Club.  We had covered a total of 30 pleasant ICW miles buring only 13.6 gallons.

Well it's not a mega yacht (but we love it)

During our first walk with Kodi she made friends with another lovely yellow lab named Annie and promptly dashed into Annie's house and stole her duck.  Nothing changes.

Kodi with stolen duck

Kevin, Annie's owner, was very understanding.  Turns out he was also a Lauderdale Yacht Club member.

You may have noticed from the photos that the weather was perfect.  Clear skies, 80 degrees and light winds from the north east.  Another perfect day.

Written by Les.

Groovin' in the Grove - Day 151 to 156 - Miami Coconut Grove

Sunny and in the 80's every day and 70's in the evening -- the weather has been just luscious.   We have been delinquent boaters (although quite active with the dingy), living this lazy, land based,  life style.

One exploratory trip into Coral Gables took us to the Miracle Mile, which is a lovely mile of small high line boutiques and wonderful outdoor restaurants.

Club building at the start of the Magnificent Mile

Hard to capture the ambiance

Smoked salmon plate.  Life is good.

Long walks in the "neighborhood" have taken us past gorgeous Spanish-style mansions.  

We take our daily walk with Kodi off Grove Isle (across the bridge) and through these lovely streets with thick, tropical landscaping.   Part of the treat are these beautiful peacocks that stroll around.

Kodi has also made new friends at the doggie park at Shipping and Virginia.

Monday, however, our Miami holiday will end and we will begin to head north toward Boca Raton.  Pam Rose is planning to cruise with us for a couple days.  We will keep you posted.  

Written by Diana.  Photos by Les.

Life in Coconut Grove - Day 150 - Miami Coconut Grove, FL

Except for four days in Miami Beach for the boat show, we have been at Coconut Grove since February 10.  That's a total of 14 days at the Grove Isle Marina.  Today, we signed up for an additional seven days, which will make stay in Coconut Grove a total of 21 days; the same amount of time we spent in Sarasota. 

Why you may ask?  The answers starts with Grove Isle, the nicest marina that we have visited to date.  The Grove Isle Marina is part of a gated community on an island on Biscayne Bay about 300 yards offshore.  It is reached by a bridge that leads to a security station staffed by people who are dead serious about security.  You cannot get on the island without a pass or authorization from a resident.  Everybody is photographed along with their vehicle.

Bridge as viewed from Grove Isle

Security station as viewed from the bridge

Grove Isle consists of three 18 story condominiums and a first class hotel.  The grounds are spectacular with a beautiful entry road, landscaped pathways, 12 tennis courts, a barbecue area, a beach and seating areas around the property.

Entry drive. The tennis courts are hidden on the lefthand side.

The Grove Isle Hotel and Spa includes a four star restaurant, spa, workout room, heated pool and seating areas.  Rooms cost around $400 per night.

Gibraltar Restaurant (note the fire pit)

Fire pit at the restaurant

Located about a mile north of Grove Isle and a quick dingy ride is the Fresh Market, a store that Whole Foods could learn a few things from.  The prepared foods are unbelievable.  Great selection and great recipes.  Note: They stopped me from taking photos.

Fresh Market has been the source of most of our meals and is a welcome change from eating in restaurants.

Then there's the town of Coconut Grove and its charming downtown.

The Cocowalk with a 12 screen theatre, restaurants and upscale shops

Johnny Rockets with outside seating and rock music

One of many restaurants with outdoor seating

Mayfair Hotel

And Kodi continues to make new friends.

Kodi charming three young ladies in the theatre lobby

And we continue to discover more history.  Yesterday, while walking downtown, we discovered The Barnacle, the oldest home in Dade County.  Today it's a historic park.

The Barnacle

View from the Barnacle looking out on Biscayne Bay

And, of course, the weather continues to be nothing short of spectacular.  Over 30 days of warm temperatures (80s during the day, 70s at night) and sunny skies.  We haven't seen rain since Key West.

Walks at night with Kodi are nothing short of magical.  From the beautifully lit walkway around the island we get a view of the downtown Miami high rises, Biscayne Bay, Key Biscayne and the high rises around downtown Coconut Grove.

Written by Les.