Lantana - at anchor

 

Miami is always speculation at night from Marine Stadium

Last night, while looking at the Miami skyline, we decided to make the leap all the way to the Lantana anchorage. There was not a slip to be had in Ft Lauderdale and all the anchorages were filled to over flowing. I tried marinas all the way north to Hillsboro Inlet - they were all full. That only left the option of getting up early (6:30 am), weighing anchor and heading out through 13 bridges and 43 NM north. 

We were told to change course for this guy, we did as we were told

The weather, for a change, cooperated and the ocean was like a lake with gentle winds of less than 10 kts and often around 5 kts. Along the way, we received a call from the Coast Guard to alter course to the west by 300 yards. We duly followed orders and saw a submarine pass by us out to sea (see photo). I didn’t realize there was a submarine based anywhere nearby.

The mooring field at Las Olas is supposed to be out of commission but boats are still using it

After entering at Ft Lauderdale, we were then on the ICW and the safety of an inland route. Since we can do 7 kts when required, we made every bridge without waiting beyond the 5 mins to raise the leaves.  All the bridges in Florida are conveniently timed at 7 kts, unlike other states. 

All of the anchorages we passed by were full

We dropped anchor at 4:00 pm, a long day and I got Hoolie ashore as the first priority. The winds are due to be light tonight but they are predicted to increase Wednesday afternoon to around 20 kts. We’re headed to our Hobe Sound anchorage to sit out the winds and the next day, we’re on the move again to the Loggerhead Marina in Vero Beach to sit out the expected two days of rain.