Off to Coconut Grove

We really enjoyed our time in Ft Lauderdale.  We enjoyed the mooring at Las Olas Marinia even though the city was working on the bridge all week. Otherwise it was like a boat show and we had front row seats. The quick ride to the dock was nice and we only had three short blocks to the beach. Our friends, Ladd and Denise took us all around. We especially like the River Walk.  Jon really appreciated the ride to Lester's (a diner that all marine stores are located near. It's either in front on Lester's or behind Lester's.) They had stores where you could buy planks of teak and every clasp, latch or screw for a boat.  There were stores just for boat exhaust systems and stores for just electrical systems. Ofcourse there was your canvas stores and marine air conditioning stores. It really is boater heaven. We also like how Ft Lauderdale is set up. Ever other cross road there is a canal that runs through it   It's like a little Venice with water taxis that will pick up from the other side of the city.  

We were lucky enough to spend a few hours with our nephew, Ben. We had such a good time catching up with him and hearing about his life in Ft Lauderdale with his girlfriend, Ashley. Hopefully the next time through we'll be able to catch up with her. 

So it is off to Miami, Dinner Key Marinia in Coconut Grove to be exact. We had decided to go through the intercoastal and all went smooth except for running aground. Yes, we ran pretty hard ona shoal that is on the western side of a narrow channel at Haulover Inlet. It was low tide with the current coming in and a First Response Rescue boat hailed us to let us know about the narrow channel and to stay close to the green.  Well we didn't. And before you could say oh crap, the First Response guy was hugging our starboard rail saying he'd tow us off for free if we told the other tow boat lurking behind him that we paid full price. Fortunately, Jon was continuing to wiggle us off and we got free within minutes. Neither of us had a good feeling about Mr. First Response and we felt lucky that we didn't need a second tow within one month.  

 

Across from our mooring at Ft Lauderdale.  

    Our shadows...so artsy...haha

   Ladd and Denise peaking from the back

Nice picture Ladd took of us

      Jon just chilling with his new friends

Our nephew, Ben and us(getting better at selfies)

   Us with Denise. 

     On the intercoastal near Miami the water is getting bluer

Dozens of cruise ships...everywhere in Miami

This is what our roomy cockpit looks like when Jon has to look for a possible oil leak our first day a Coconut Grove. 

That is Jon scrunched in one of the cockpit lockers looking at the engine for a oil leak. 

Our mooring at Coconut Grove. We are one of the last mooring balls...,one with the bay.