2/23/2011 BIMINI TO FORT LAUDERDALE'S NEW RIVER

WEDNESDAY

TOTAL MILES TRAVELED TODAY: 56 NM (6 HOURS)

Once again, Dan successfully maneuvered out of the Bimini marina area and into the navigation channel. We will definitely make other trips to this lovely part of the world.

SO LONG BIMINI!

Not too far out into our journey, Dan pointed out the presences of a USCG clipper. Before long they were intercepting us and asking for information over the marine radio. After establishing that we were probably not drug runners they wished us safe travels and bid us to be on our way. A couple of hours later we were again visited by the USCG. This time we discovered a helicopter buzzing around above us. They too asked a few questions and sent us on. Busy, busy!

USCG CLIPPER CHECKING US OUT

USCG HELICOPTER HOVERING OVER US

This wasn’t a real smooth transit with the wind picking up and the jet stream exhibiting its force. We were glad to reach the Florida coast and enter into the safety of Port Everglades. Holy Moly! We kind of forgot that the Miami Boat Show had just ended and there was a constant stream of beautiful boats coming and going. We followed two huge yachts, one a 120’ and the other 90’, into the New River where we planned to dock for next few weeks.

BIG BOAT ON PARADE

Our home is just before the SE 3 Avenue Bridge with the Riverwalk to our starboard.  The trendy Las Olas area is only a block over and there is a market within half a mile.  Pulling into our “home” we spied a boat (“Marcia, Marcia, Marcia”) that we had rafted to in one of the waterway locks.  Also, Jill from “Finally “ alled out to me while dinking the canals with friends.  We had met them first in Mackinac Island, reunited in Green Turtle Bay and parted in Mobile Bay.  Life is just full of pleasant surprises!

Once Quest was secured and “plugged in” to water and power, we made the call to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection to receive our arrival number and instructions to report to the Customs office for a face-to-face clearance. Dan got the bikes down and we rode the 3 or 4 miles to the Port Everglades port of entry office for the passport inspection and our official “Welcome home”.

We also stopped by the Maritime Professional Training school where Dan will start on Monday morning. With everything in order we headed back to Quest for a night docked with water and power!!! Oh, it’s the little things that are soooooo sweet, plenty of hot water for dishes and showers and power on demand.