Location: Fort Lauderdale
Today Dad and I went through thirteen bridges as we made our way down to Fort Lauderdale. They came one after the other, barely a mile apart. It was very frustrating. The tide was against us all day, making it hard to reach each bridge opening on time. At least we found a quiet municipal marina with mooring balls to stay at for the night. Being in Fort Lauderdale, the cost of a mooring ball for the night was about the cost to stay the night on the dock at a regular marina.
We put our feet on the ground the next morning and went out to breakfast. On the main road we stepped into a crowd of swimmers. The Swimming Hall of Fame was hosting a polar bear plunge swim meet out on the beach. It was 73 degrees. Yeah. The long narrow beach was littered with activities; volleyball, soccer, runners, bikers, some cross-fit people, the swimmers and a Hawaiian style wedding to name a few. The beach was bordered by the busy A1A highway. Flashy cars whizzed by Dad and I as we ate breakfast in a sidewalk cafe. Dad spent a lot of time in Fort Lauderdale during his college days. He has some wide stories. On our way back to the boat we peaked into the local beach bar that Dad said was the place to be back in the day. It was empty but Dad suggested that we stay the weekend and see if it livens up at all.
This morning Dad and I headed down Las Olas Boulevard, away from the beach and toward an art fair that we heard about from the marina staff. It was a good turn out. White tents were setup on the Boulevard full of pictures, paintings, sculptures, and ornaments. There's isn't much room for paintings or trinkets on the boat but I was tempted to make an exception. I settled to have a gelato instead, which only required additional space in my tummy. After the fair Dad and I went to a great cheese and wine shop on the Boulevard. We ate Gouda and sopressata, drank red wine, and listened to the live two man band. Although we didn't make it back to the beach bar the night was still a success. The restaurant reminded us of being in New York City. If you have been to both the city and Las Olas Boulevard you know that they are not at all alike. In the streets of Fort Lauderdale wealthy retires and Florida beach bums amble around the town, rarely mixing but all looking for a good time. In New York no one ambles, people are always mixing, and every one is always working (even when they say they're not). BUT almost every year Dad and I find at least one reason to go to New York and before catching the train back home we pick up a bottle of red wine, stop at the Lexington Market in Grand Central and pick out our favorite meat, cheese, and crackers. On the train home we host a little part in our train car. Tonight felt like we should be walking out of the restaurant and onto the train platform in the snow in New England. If you haven't done it you need to try it.
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