Sunrise Bay, Fort Lauderdale

We leave early because we have around 20 draw bridges south to Fort Lauderdale. Our first bridge is only minutes away to enter north Lake Worth. Our second bridge, Flagler Memorial Bridge is about 1-1/2 hours south and only opens at 15 minutes past the hour due to “emergency repairs”. Interestingly, they were on the same hourly schedule two years ago and would not open the bridge because we were not idling our engine in front of the bridge prior to the scheduled opening, even though our arrival time would coincide with the scheduled opening. Some bridge operators, the males must be named Dick. We arrive well ahead of the scheduled opening this time, plus there are other boats waiting besides us also. One fellow who was next to us turns around and starts playing with his sails and by the time he turns back for the bridge opening he is too late to make it. The next bridge south opens 15 minutes later and is only a mile away, no problem making that one. The bridge after that one is two miles further south and opens 15 minutes later. This could be a problem, so as we clear the bridge I put out the jib for some extra speed. Fortunately, there are some large power boats ahead of us who are waiting for the opening and the kind bridge operator (female of course) holds an extra couple minutes for us. The two other sailboats with us, did not put out their jibs and do not make the opening. This is my kind of sailboat racing, high stakes that matter, no piddly trophy needed for us. By the end of the day the “race” is a draw, due to the timing of other bridges the two boats eventually catch up to us.

One of the boats is a Catamaran “Catalyst” from further north in Florida, must be making his first trip south. We talk on the radio, because he is concerned about some overhead power lines around Pompano Beach and is considering turning back and waiting to go outside. I don't remember any power lines and my electronic charts and books do not show any overhead power lines. I think he may have some very dated charts and the power cables are now under water. He slows down and waits for us to report back when we reach the location where he thinks the power lines maybe. Once, I give him the all clear he catches up to us.

"Catalyst" Cat with a 74 foot mast

This part of the ICW, Linda has named the HGTV section because of all the interesting houses to see adjacent to the ICW. Lots of new large Mediterranean McMansions next to smaller 1960-70 homes, soon to be razed for the next McMansions. Some are down right ugly, too much money, too little taste. Some are gorgeous. Interestingly juxtaposition of new and old (soon to be new again).

Old and New