CBP Checks Us Out



Arleen meets local celebrity in Riviera Beach

 Up early and off the anchor we went, headed for Lake Worth. Al wanted to get in early because we had the appointment at Customs and Border Protection (CBP). We motored the ICW and got through the bridges even with one having a span just ¾ of the way up. We anchored at the southern end of Lake Worth so we could take the dinghy into Riviera Beach Marina to dock and go for our appointment which was only about a block away. We had all the right documents for them so things went smoothly so now we are the owners of our own local boaters cards which allow us to just call in at any port we enter in the United States on our boat instead of having to physically present ourselves at the office. Afterwards we strolled the docks at Riviera Beach and I had my picture taken with the local celebrity. I think I have a real catch with Al, compared to this captain!

 

 Before we went back to the boat, we motored across to Peanut Island which is open to the public for picnicking, swimming, hiking, and camping. It is a lovely well kept area and had some great views of Lake Worth inlet. As we walked around the island we saw interesting sites of a kayaker using an umbrella to bring him right into shore and the local turkey vultures drying their wings in the trees.   

Turkey Vulture drying its wings.





A new way of kayaking!



It was blowing quite hard out of the north so it was a bit rough in the anchorage but luckily quieted down for sleeping. Our friends the Mershons called and said not to be in a rush to get to Miami to meet them because the weather window for this weekend for crossing has gotten too short. Also, strong winds for the days after arriving would trap us in Nassau where we planned to check in. From experience they said you want to get in and get out due to a lot of thievery in the area, so now it might be another week until a possible weather window opens.



Al with his early Christmas present.

We listened to the weather and Chris Parker who is the cruiser’s guru for predicting wind and wave conditions before we left Lake Worth. We decided at the last minute that it would be okay to go outside from Lake Worth to Fort Lauderdale so we could avoid over twenty bridge openings. The wind wasn’t very strong but the waves were a little “roly poly” so we motor sailed the entire day to Fort Lauderdale. Al pulled out his new rod and reel to do some fishing but lets just say I am glad I had something thawed for dinner!

As we came up through the Fort Lauderdale area, the opulence is unbelievable. The one house had not one, but two huge yachts at its dock!

We got in to the anchorage called Lake Sylvia about 4 pm to see about fifteen boats already anchored in this small area. We snuck in and about five or six other boats came in after us! It is amazing how you can make room when you have too.

We plan to go out in the ocean again tomorrow to reach Miami and meet up with Sequence and Jubilee. It looks like we will have plenty of time to explore South Beach and Miami before crossing to the Bahamas.