Another 30 nm would need to be traveled today to reach the Loggerhead Marina in Lantana. We had 10 opening bridges to negotiate and only one was opening on request. Today's travel had to be handled like an intricate dance to avoid waiting interminably for a bridge opening. All more fun to add to the "experience" that is transversing the waterway. We needed an early start in order to make them all and get into the marina before 5PM. Apparently they roll up the sidewalks then and there would be no one to help us into the dock. In a marina you have never been in before that can be a problem. So up at dawn, boat readied for travel, crew with coffee and breakfast we were off. Scott pulled up our well set hook and we were on our way.. The bridges as it turned out were quite the trick. The first did not seem to have a radio that worked and the tender left us hanging for a while until she granted us an opening, the second had to get clearance from maintenance before it could open which turned out ,thankfully ,not to be a problem. The third opened for us on the half hour as promised. We were on a roll. We made good time until we got to the Flagler bridge which is undergoing construction. Normally opening on the quarter to and quarter past the hour the bridge was limited to a once an hour opening on the quarter past of course we were there at 12:30 so we traveled back and forth on that section of Lake Worth for 45 minutes. That put our timing off for the next bridge which opened on the hour and half hour so we waited on that one for an additional 45. It really wasn't bad though as the temps were warm enough to wear shorts and I even had to consider putting on sun screen! This is life as it should be, we had some lunch while we waited and enjoyed the views
The scenery today was stunning in its ostentatious display of wealth . Home after home of huge McMansions each seemingly trying to outdo the next, can only make me wonder where does is all come from.??? We've certainly seen a lot of it on this journey. It was great fun to gawk. Some of the hedges alone would be a full time job to maintain. Good for them and may they have happy lives. We are content with our sturdy boat and happy as well. There was a great amount of building going on, saws and hammers were a oft heard sound as we traveled on toward Lantana.
Bridges are good meeting places for other snowbirds and soon there were 5 sail boats traveling through the bridges together. We made quite a parade going through. The larger boats travel much faster than LIght Reach so we usually end up being in the back of the pack. And that can be a very good thing when picking your way along the shallow bits. Follow the leader and hope they have a deeper draft! Shortly after 4PM we arrived at the Marina. A phone call for aid to get in and directions to our slip and with a Hail Mary said we turned off the water way and headed in. The water depth was good on our approach and we were on the dock before we could say boo. We got Light Reach tied up and somewhat settled into what will be her home until mid January. We checked in, scoped out the facilities and had a walk about. The marina has a pool, hot tub, sauna, fitness center and showers. It's nicely appointed and allows the CSO. This will work out well for us as we get our health care taken care of we can split our time between the condo and the boat. I want to clean our every locker the condensation problems from the cold weather have left everything wet and we have had some mildew issues. UGH Updates to the blog will probably be spotty while we are living the dirt dweller life. Rest assured the crew of Light Reach is doing just fine. The picture is of the Captain enjoying a cold one at a Beer and Bait Shack in Ft. Pierce. The band in the background is a little bit Captain and Tenille.