Ft. Lauderdale

I was just told by the Ft. Lauderdale water police to leave and never come back. How's that for hospitality? Wonder what the Chamber of Commerce would think? We had anchored in Lake Sylvia on Friday night. It's near the 17th Street Causeway and Bahia Mar Yachting Center off the Intercoastal Waterway (ICW). Seems there is an nonenforceable (it's contrary to Florida statute) city regulation saying one cannot anchor for more than 24 hours. The million dollar homes/taxpayers around the lake have spoken. We had engine trouble - the raw water pump on the starboard engine sprung a leak which I didn't have the expertise or specials tools to fix - and had to wait for a mechanic to come out on Monday. The Friday "cop" was flexible and understanding: difficult to maneuver on one engine; expensive at $187.50/day to go into a marina; etc. We were told that the city could not fine us nor tow us away, so we rented a car and went to Orlando (3 1/2 hours north) for four-person birthday birthday party in the "hood" (Barclay Ave. /Avern Ct. on Lake Orienta in Altamonte Springs) plus our two grand children's birthdays on Sunday. Yes, a good time was had by all over the weekend. At 0845 we awoke to be told "You are not welcome in Ft. Lauderdale." Oh, did I mention the "bad cop" called us in Orlando on Sunday to ream me out for leaving the boat unattended and over-time. He really wanted to give it to me in person even after reading the note we left him aboard explaining the situation. What a guy!

As soon as we are fixed, we're headed for Miami, then on to Bimini.

Waiting...

Still at Port Salerno under cold, cloudy skys 'cause of the wind and our friends near here: Bill and Jose Andersen of S/V Caper who are getting ready in Indian Town 20 minutes away. We'll all transit to Mi-jami later next week to cross to Bimini, wind permitting, on our way south to warmer climes.

I left Linda to go to West Marine yesterday and she started drag racing across the anchorage. Eventhough she had started the engines, thank God for Dietmar aboard another sailing cat, Joker, who saw what was happening and came to help her re-anchor. Seems our CQR anchor (looks like a plow with a movable arm) isn't good for all conditions after all, especially a muddy bottom. So Dietmar put down not one but two anchors (Fortress and Danforth) stopping the race just before she hit the Hinckley Marine dock: ok, she still had 20 feet to go. She was in first place as two other boats did the same thing with the same CQR anchors. When I returned we move back into the center of the anchorage and re-set both "proper" anchors. So far so good: swinging around the anchors as the wind and tide change, but no dragging. Only cost me a beer and a couple of single malt scotches to show my/our appreciation.

Yes, it has finally happened...we have left Titusville and our dear friends to start our around the world adventure on January 4th, 2009. First to Port Canaveral, then Ft. Pierce and St. Lucie Inlet's Port Salerno in Manatee Pocket: delightful and picture-squey. Next to Lake Worth, Ft Lauderdale's Lake Sylvia, and Dinner Key in Coconut Grove/Miami where we'll wait for the wind (nothing with a northerly component as it kicks up the Gulf Stream something awful) to head over to Bimini in the Bahamas.