Day 186 Las Olas Marina Ft Lauderdale

One of the many water taxi's available all day. Notice the width of the "New River" here in Ft Lauderdale. It is a busy river with very large vessel's









Skyline of Miami



Cruise ships waiting for departure





One of the many mega yachts we passed










Awsome beach







Out for a birthday dinner.








Evil Kneivel's boat at one time





Now it is the accountants "Bottom Line"







Lunch at Bahia Mar





Small cottage on the ICW

After departing Coconut Grove FL on Monday we traveled 30 miles up the coast to Ft Lauderdale Municipal Marina located about 2 miles up the ICW from the mega-yacht centers Bahia Mar and Pier 66 marinas. They only want boats 60 to 250’ and slip fees at one harbor was $8.75’. Where do they get all this money?

The entire distance from Dinner Key (Coconut Grove) to Ft Lauderdale was a no wake zone plus (18) bridges. We were able to get under (16) of them without asking to have the bridge raised. The other two had only a 12' clearance but opened on the hour and half hour like clock-work. The scenery along the way was spectacular with mega homes, mega condo's and mega yachts.

We launched bicycles upon arrival and road two blocks over to Ft Lauderdale Beach and observed the thousands of spring-breakers. We rode down the boardwalk and had lunch outside at the "Oasis Cafe" and enjoyed the beach, ocean and people watching.

I had a birthday dinner at the sidewalk cafe, “Café Del Mar” overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. I noticed several restaurants advertised 50% off bottles of wine. Since I was the only one drinking, I asked the waiter if I could take home what was left and he said yes. By the time I deducted what a single glass of wine would cost, the bottle ended up pretty reasonable. We were entertained with live Flamingo guitar and a Flamingo dancer. Also entertaining were the many kids on spring break walking around and on their cell phones trying to locate their friends..

When we arrived here at Las Olas Marina, Ft Lauderdale we ran into (2) loopers we have been traveling off and on with. Monk's Vineyard and Second Star are here waiting for the Atlantic Ocean to calm down for a Bahama Gulf Stream crossing. They have tried earlier only to turn around and come back due to rough seas. The weather dictates when you can venture out to sea.

A few steps from where we are docked is a water taxi that makes 14 stops throughout Ft Lauderdale. You can get on and off as often as you want all day long and into the evening. It is also narrated so we learned about the homes and boats of the rich and famous. Story has it that Evil Kneivel loved to gamble but he wasn’t the best at it and he ended up betting and losing his boat. It used to be named “The Evil Eye” but now the name is “Bottom Line” because the guy who won it is an accountant.
Our stay here in Ft Lauderdale has been very rewarding, the community is beautiful, and it is fun to see the area from the water.