March 10th- Miami Marine Stadium to Fort Lauderdale, FL

We spent several days in Miami Marine Stadium waiting for the winds to subside. The wind was still strong today but we were ready to move on. If it had calmed down a bit more I was going to sail up the coast to Port Everglades. We’d avoid 8 bridges by doing so. Wind and waves kept us on the ICW though and we tried to make the scheduled openings with varying levels of success.

Goodbye Miami.

Back in mansion land.

Our day ended in Fort Lauderdale. We called ahead to the Los Olas Marina and found their mooring field was once again operational. On the way down it was closed. The mooring gave us easy access to a dinghy dock, showers, and the Ft Lauderdale beach area. We decided to stay an extra day. I heard rumors of an excellent French Bakery in town. Lynne did most of the exploration work in Fort Lauderdale. I couldn’t handle the crowds. It’s Spring Break! Noooooo…….

Maybe the sun and beer kills COVID-19?

Lynne also visited the Swimming Hall of Fame. Apparently they used much more material to produce a bathing suit in the past.

This was Lloyd Bridges’ Sea Hunt outfit.

The French Bakery was worth the stop. We loaded up with quiche, croissants, and French bread. A couple of days later, we used the French Bread to grill the best pizza we’ve been able to produce on Catalpa.

March 12th- Fort Lauderdale to Lantana, FL

16 bridges. On the way down South we split the day up by staying over night in Boca Raton. Today I decided to push on to Lantana. We didn’t arrive at Lantana until 7:00. The sun doesn’t set until 7:30 so we didn’t have to navigate in the dark.

While entering the anchorage area I went a little too far in and ran Catalpa aground for the first time. I knew we were going to bottom out and managed to turn around before we stopped. FLANK SPEED AHEAD!! We plowed our way into deeper water and drop the hook for the night. The end of a long day.

March 13th and 14th- Lantana to Lake Worth, West Palm Beach FL

Today we headed up to Lake Worth and anchored near the Palm Beach Sailing Club.

On our trip South there were far more boats anchored in Lake Worth than present. I imagine many have headed over to the Bahamas. This particular anchorage is pretty exposed but the next few days look good. We’ll stay here until Monday. The Florida ICW, from Miami to the St Lucie Inlet, is like the Cross Bronx Expressway on the weekends. It’s filled with small power boats. Many seem to have almost no idea what they are doing. Maneuvering Catalpa in a current, while waiting for a bridge, can be difficult enough. Throw another 15 small power boats into the mix. We avoid moving on the weekends.

Today (Saturday the 14th) Ollie was happy to visit several of the waterfront parks. He seems to remember them all. We are still having some difficulty with leash walking so he and I are getting some practice in. Lynne found a decent grocery store up the road so we stocked up on some fresh food.

Palm Beach Sailing Club.

One of Ollie’s parks. We are trying to cut back on some of the frisbee action until the leash walking improves. That’s today’s idea anyway.

Not sure what kind of boat this is but I believe it’s a fiberglass version of a Munroe design. I’d like to find out more about it. I think I’ve seen one up North also.

Catalpa anchored in Lake Worth.