North Miami, University Cove

Short day's run to North Miami on the inside, the ICW. We pumpout before we head down the river and stop at Lauderdale Marina to fill up with diesel and the 5 gallon gas can on the rail. Fairly windy out of the southeast, making it a little difficult to get off the dock with the wind pushing us against it. We back up fast to get away from the dock and the bow rail nearly taps the dock on our egress. Once clear of the dock we power up in forward and are on our way. We have a number of bridges today, but they are fairly well spaced that we don’t waste much time waiting for openings. Well, except for the last one, which opens on demand on weekends, but they are doing some maintenance and they have been making boats wait up to an half hour most of the day.


We get to the anchorage at University Cove with Florida International University on the west shore and to the east is Oleta River State Park. Being New Years Day the park is very busy. Lots of rental paddle boards and kayaks out and about. We hear lots of laughter on shore. Very nice protected spot, we have stayed here before. We relax for the rest of the day. We are having near record temperatures in the low 80’s, same as the last time we were here 3 years ago.
 

Haulover Sand Bar

Just to the east of the entrance of the ICW is a very popular spot, "Haulover Sand Bar". There are a gazillon boats on and around the sandbar. People are standing in waist deep water walking around and partying. There are even a few mega yachts anchored just to the north of the sandbar. By dark they are all gone.