31 January - Day #58. Putting out of Ft. Lauderdale I couldn't help but wonder if we're well enough insured. With huge yachts lining the ICW, it feels like running a gauntlet lined with Ming vases and Fabergé eggs. Usually I only fret about Nellie's engine quitting during open water passages. Now I'm wondering if we can get the hook down before the rapid current pushes us into one of these Picassos. I'll bet Buba's Paint and Body wouldn't be the first place called for a quote. The yachts are beautiful but even if we had the money we've decided we're not big boat people. For one thing their owners insist on wearing uniforms while going about their daily boat chores. We're more the t-shirt and cutoffs crowd... The bridges get more plentiful, and oddly, lower and lower as we approach Miami. With her mast and antennas down Nellie only needs 14.5'--we think. On two bridges we hold our breath and reflexively duck, greatly relieved by what we don't hear--crunching sounds from Nellie's superstructure. Today's picture is of Miami with her necklace of bridges. At anchor behind Pumpkin Island and finally in the Keys! 51nm today and 1470nm total. DBH
