So despite anchor issues and strong winds, we cruised into Ft Lauderdale. OMG!! The cruise ships were restocking...and the mega yachts were everywhere...we tried not to gawk but OMG. Steven Spielberg's yacht 7 SEAS, and the biggest yacht built in America since 1930, CAKEWALK. You can google photos...but OMG, that was just the beginning. We turned up the New River into downtown...bridges, water taxis, fishing boaters, and day cruises...coming and going, going and coming....no wonder we missed our "slip". Then we had turn around and search again....found it!! Against the pilings along the river wall in front of those high rise condos....we have another front row seat. And what a parade it was.....the only issue for short legged me was the leap to shore. Dakota and Floyd seemed to have no issue....I on the other hand take a breath, hold a hand or rail, and leap! So far I haven't missed...but every time, I think twice.

Luckily, I had called ahead and a mobile dog groomer was scheduled to show up for Dakota at 4:30. It took a little doing because we weren't really at the marina address...we were on the street across from those condos. But several phone calls and missed turns later, Julia and her grooming van arrived. She was an interesting gal and since we were the end of her day, we got to visit a little. Amazingly, it only took a little over an hour...and Dakota was looking fine!! And smelled better too!!

These condo owners are dog lovers...so there is a constant parade of dog walkers on one side of us...and then the boat parade on the other side. One lady I asked did recommended a hair salon within walking distance...so I made that call. They could do a hair cut, but no time for a much needed mani/pedi....:( little did I know then that the weather gods would conspire to make it possible on Tuesday!

Anyway, Saturday the 15th, we cleaned up our act...which really doesn't take much....for our date with "the boys". Manuel, David, and Scott were our table mates on our April Transatlantic crossing on the EURODAM....we so enjoyed getting to know them. And when they heard we were stopping in Ft Lauderdale, they insisted on being our tour guides. We spent a most delightful evening at Capitol Grille and made several plans for Sunday.

Sunday morning, Scott returned to pick us up...we took Dakota and a couple of  loads of laundry to his condo. Dakota ran and played, we did sheets and towels, a little Thai lunch...and back to the boat to watch the parade. Then  back to see Manuel and David's place...and driving tour of the beach area, a stop for supper...and before you know it, we were saying good-bye again.

About those weather gods....the wind has been howling since we arrived....and seems to be worse. Floyd made the call that we wait until Tuesday to exit...with river traffic and ICW, he thinks the weather will improve on Tuesday...so Wednesday we can leave for Stuart... Phone calls to re-schedule marina stops and car rentals....I managed to book that mani/ pedi...."the boys" have a busy plate...so we are once again on our own. The parade of big boats being towed by us is entertaining enough...and the price here is among the cheapest...Dakota has made lots of friends...everyone is happy.

Our WSU shockers both men and women are headed to the NCAA...we are scheduling our future runs around game times....!!!

While we've had great fun in Ft Lauderdale...I have a plane ticket....and a desire to get to Norfolk. So once we visit with my niece in Stuart, we plan to book it north!! From here on, we've been there, done it and didn't really like it all that much! We only need to slow down for laundry and the dog!!