South Florida is Called the Gold Coast for a Reason

. . . BRIGHT LIGHTS, BIG CITY AND BIG YACHTS

After spending several nights in secluded places, we arrived at Miami and found an achorage directly across from the city. Our plan had been to sail outside in the Atlantic to the nearest northern entry point back into the ICW. Unpredictable winds and rain had us changing plans, staying an extra day and staying on the "inside" -- the ICW (Intercoastal Waterway). 

The Bridges of Dade and Broward Counties

Yesterday we traveled through bridge after bridge after bridge (some 18). Despite the inconvenience, the scenery was very interesting. Double bridges were rare. Here, our traveling companions, Sid and Bonnie on Fiu, motor through the Sunny Isle Bridges on the AICW.

Carina passed through one of the bridges just before reaching Lake Boca Raton, our anchorage for the night.

Sid showed his delight in being able to travel through so many bridges today.

Bonnie soaks up rays while we waited for bridge openings.

The mast of Fiu is 55 feet. Early in the day, they met a 56-foot bridge. We called those very close bridges we encountered on the Tenn-Tom Waterway "clincher." Sid and Bonnie met their own clincher. The were very, very close to hitting the top with their antenna -- with the tide out.

Port Everglades

At the Fort Lauderdale entry to the ICW is Port Everglades with international container ships and cruise ships. It was interesting to see the massive ships being unloaded 
as we passed.

More concerning was to see one of those ships heading toward you with a full load.

Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous

 

We are rich in our ability to travel the way we're traveling. Since leaving Miami, we've learned how the truly rich live. It's having a multi-million dollar home on the water with a multi-million dollar yacht parked in front. Oh yeah, then there's the fishing boat, too.

Your sense of perspective becomes jaded after seeing thousands of yachts in one day. We started thinking of boats with fewer than three radar domes as just average. This one is above average.

Seen from the front, it's hard to realize this yacht is probably over 200 feet long.

This homeowner has a modest boat in front of his not-so-modest home -- just one of many we passed.

Many of the mansions have an Italian influence in the architecture. 

We tended to take photos of the more modern homes though because they were strikingly different. 

Today's travels mean more bridges, although not as many as yesterday, and our first overnight marina stop so far on the trip up the East Coast.