In our walkabouts lately we've seen a few different facets of life here. There is the flashy scene along the New River and down around Bahia Mar. These are big money areas with mansions and yachts (definitely not called boats at this level!) A couple of blocks back, one sees regular people going to and from work in plain grey cement government buildings. There are the park benches that some call "home". Our walk from the marina to the local Publix (grocery store) takes us through old Florida south neighbourhoods - small bungalows with dusty yards tucked off busy thoroughfares with cars roaring by. We have been surprised by the lack of sidewalks in some areas. Is everyone expected to drive? We were told that the developers were not forced to put them in. Well gee!

We've walked down Las Olas Blvd with its toney restaurants and shops - one being a bakery where I bought a fabulous loaf of walnut raisin bread. Both a drugstore and a service station that sells diesel are also within walking distance. This little marina is a gem. It is low key and small, friendly and affordable. (We're paying about $35. per night for our 36 ft boat.) The washers and dryers cost $1.50 per load; the showers are clean with plentiful hot water.

We've taken a couple of dinghy rides up the river to see more incredible yachts. The repair and refit yards are another mile or two up this winding river, and it is a real experience to see dozens of enormous yachts there. No kidding - there are millions and millions of dollars worth of boats there and tied up all along the river. We hear that at any given time, there are about a billion dollars worth of yachts in Fort Lauderdale. At boat show time in October, another couple of billion dollars worth are here. It is amazing to see the largest ones being towed up and down with a tug ahead and another one behind. Apparently that is cheaper than having the ship's captain pilot the ship in these tricky waters.

Sunday's adventure was the concern over a manatee that had come into the boat ramp area of the marina. It was a large one and had many scars on its back. These creatures are slow moving and are often hit by the props of speeding boats. Along with old scars, this one had a raw, red gash and we were all worried about her. Adding to the poignancy was the fact that she had a calf with her. We could see the little nose pop up regularly to breathe. A dog-walker called the wildlife people; I took pictures and sent them in; a sheriff's deputy and paramedics in a fire truck all came to check on her. They determined that since she was breathing regularly (every 3 - 4 minutes) and wasn't listing to one side, she was probably OK and had just come in to rest. The staff roped off the ramp for the day and by evening she and her calf had left. We've wanted to see a manatee for a long time; I wish the circumstances had been different, but at least it seems to have turned out well.