Afloat On the Intercoastal Waterway

Here we are on the Intercoastal Waterway heading to Port Everglades. This is the bridge at 17th Street that we crossed yesterday to get to A1A.

Our day, February 9th, started with a swerve as Mel avoided a 4 foot iguana crossing the road. I think it is illegal to kill one of these creatures but I don't know if there is a penalty when it is in the middle of the road. There are no pictures because at the time I was screaming like a little girl. Did I mention that we are staying in the Everglades?

It was another perfect south Florida day so we drove into Fort Lauderdale. Our destination was the Riverfront Marketplace on Las Olas Blvd. and the New River. We found it yesterday as we were getting used to our new surroundings. Our goal was to take a cruise on the river to be on the water and to gaze at the breathtaking mansions that line the riverfront and Intercoastal waterway.

We took the 2:30 p.m. cruise that was an hour and a half long. It was peaceful as we leisurely boated up and down the New River looking at one mansion with yacht after another. Mel has decided that Fort Lauderdale is his new favorite city. I find that amusing since I took a lot of grief for heading back south after Disney.

After the cruise, we walked the Riverwalk, a gorgeous place to stroll and take in the sights and sounds of Fort Lauderdale. The city really nailed their waterfront beautification program. In many ways, Chicago has a long way to go to utilize its river and lake front.

We had dinner reservations at the River House Restaurant, which is a historical building in Old Fort Lauderdale. It was an elegant, romantic place to dine. The food was great and the ambience even better.

Fort Lauderdale is considered the Venice of America with over 200 miles of waterways traversing the city. There are so many channels and fingers that many of the homes have water access. I think that is why Mel fell in love.