A Fast Run To Miami

Upon returning to Fernandina Beach after three weeks away. we found Ariel in good condition, meaning the birds had not made too big a mess. The very next day we were on our way south again. Our buddy boat, Wind Chaser had left the same marina a full week ahead of us so we were determined to do our best to catch up or at least not have them wait too long in Miami for us.

Along the way we did visit with Barry and Susan on Swan while anchored in Cocoa Beach and with Iain and Jan on Jocks Lodge while anchored in North Palm Beach.

After leaving the Palm Beaches area, the waterway was all new to us since we did not go any further south last year. The stretch between the Palm Beaches and Port Everglades has 21 bridges which have to open to pass through. Almost all of them are on a fixed schedule so timing is very important. We found the bridge tenders to be very pleasant and the schedules worked out to be very accommodating. We would do this stretch again without hesitation. We went outside for the last leg, going out at Port Everglades and coming back in at Government Cut in Miami. There is one fixed bridge in this stretch that we cannot get under.

Miami is an exciting place. There is abundant room to anchor and everything is easily accessible with the dinghy with the extensive system of waterways and canals. It is just amazing to watch the cruise ships arrive and depart. They come in at around 4 am and depart the same day at around 5 to 6 pm. We spent an afternoon at South Beach, having found a canal that took us all the way there. This is a place we both wanted to visit.

Next stop - Bahamas

Miami Skyline

One of many cruise ships