Deserted Beaches to Busy Beaches

Beach at Peck Lake

After departing Vero Beach, we motored to a place off the ICW called Peck Lake.  Why they call it Peck Lake is beyond me, because it just is an indention in the waterway which allows boats to pull off and anchor.  The reason we stop here is because you can go ashore on the barrier island and by just walking across a short distance there is a beautiful beach once again with very few people on it. 
 The only problem is, if the wind stops blowing, which it does on the lee side where you land, you better be fast to cross to the ocean or get in your dinghy to leave because the no-see-ums can be brutal!

Arleen cutting her wool strips.

 I have gotten a lot of rug hooking done since we have motored quite a bit.  You can see how I use my wool cutter to cut my wool.
After cutting the wool I started hooking the border around each design.  I am progressing more rapidly with this because I am using a slightly larger cut which takes less time to complete.  I hope to be done with the border soon because the rug is getting heavy and hot to work on in the southern climate!

Rug with inner borders done. 

Latest water sport, paddle boarding.

The next section of the waterway has several bridges that you must wait for that open on the hour or half hour.  We see some interesting sights while waiting like all these young ladies doing the newest water sport called paddle boarding. 

Moon out in the east with sun setting in

Due to the wait, groups of boats end up motoring together like an armada in this section of the ICW.  We had four boats plus us until we all got to Lake Worth which is the North Palm Beach area, where boats go various ways depending on their plans. 
  Since we were there by lunch we decided to go ashore to explore what was available in the way of shops.  We found one of the largest West Marine stores we have ever been in within walking distance, as well as a Publix and CVS.  So we will know for the next time what is there in case we would need anything.  We once again had an interesting site with the moon out on one side and the sun setting in the west.  

 The next morning we left early and once again had the sun peeking out behind some dark clouds with the high rises in the background which gave for an interesting photo.  We were out the inlet at slack current so it was an easy out as you can see in the video.

Early morning leaving North Palm Beach

 

One of six caught!

Unfortunately, the winds were a little too light for only sailing so once again it was a motor sail day to Ft. Lauderdale.   Since it was a nice motor sail I suggested Al pull his rod out and fish. 

Well, this ended up being Al’s day for catching fish.  Six to be exact although all were fish called Little Tunny and they are not considered good eating so back into the ocean they went!  But they certainly did provide us with some entertainment.

A Little Tunny- unfortunately not good eating.

Just one of many private yachts.

We got into Ft. Lauderdale to make the 4PM bridge opening.  You could certainly tell you were in Lauderdale with the huge private yachts and huge homes.
We anchored in Lake Sylvia which was full but got even fuller when 4 more boats pulled in after us. 

The weather was going to take a turn for the worse for the next week with winds of 20-25 knots out of the north which does make for a good crossing at all, so quite a few boats left Lauderdale to either cross to the Bahamas or head south to wait out the week in Miami.  That opened up the mooring field at Las Olas Municipal Marina so we decided to take a mooring because we had plans to meet with Al’s Aunt and cousin the next day. 

Ft. Lauderdale Beach

We walked the beautiful waterfront where they had this interesting sculpture of fish made entirely of recycled plastic bottles.  They said it really is pretty at night with the lights on it, unfortunately we did not get to see it lit up.  

Fish sculpture made out of recycled plastic bottles.

  We had lunch along the strip and then I finally put my swimsuit on (the first time this trip) and went to the beach in the afternoon.  Al enjoyed the marina talking with other cruisers and puffed on a cigar while I was away! 

While having drinks in the cockpit enjoying the scenery of some Christmas decorations    

Decorated palm trees instead of Christmas trees.

 we had a gent serenade us with bagpipes of all things.  He was on the dock at a private home playing all sorts of music including Christmas carols which was quite nice.

The next day we did chores in the morning with me doing laundry and Al hauling water to the boat.  But we played in the afternoon when Al’s cousin and Aunt picked us up and we went out to lunch and got caught up on all the family news.  It was so good seeing them but unfortunately I forgot my camera to take a picture.  Later that day we prepared the boat to go out in the ocean again.  This is the one leg of the journey that we have to go out because our 61 ft. mast will not get under a bridge that is only 55 ft.  The winds were to start picking up with this front coming and we wanted to make it to Miami before it got too bad in the ocean.  Fort Lauderdale is not real cruiser friendly so it is not a spot you want to be for a week.

We left at 6:30AM to go out the cut at slack current but the winds were howling at 20 to 25 knots so the waves were probably 4-6 ft. which were not horrible but my top height that I feel comfortable.  We were bouncing quite a bit going out but the worst was when we turned to head south we hit a rouge wave on the side that sent everything “ topsy turvey” in the cockpit and down below.  After that we got our jib partially out which helped us cut through the waves and we sailed at 7 -7 ½ knots to Miami.  Luckily, it was a short day only 20 miles.   

Miami Sky Scrapers

The sky scrapers of Miami were a welcome sight but we had to deal with large ships, a cruise ship having a life boat drill and tug and barge traffic before getting to our anchorage in the Venetian Causeway by 11:15 AM.

Ship traffic.

Life boat drills from cruise ship.

We are now here to wait out the front and to wait for good weather for a crossing!  The earliest will probably be Wednesday of next week and that was a weak possibility at best.  We were here over 2 1/2 weeks the last trip waiting for a break in the weather and it got down into the thirties at night. At least it is suppose to be in the seventies during the day and sixties at night so that is a positive.  I guess we will get to know South Beach quite well again!

Al studying South Beach from afar knowing we will get to know it quite well.  (He is also hoping  the hot beach babes don't mind a little wind!)