Attack of the Teens!

Sue and I were very excited to welcome Kyle and Rebecca to Fort Lauderdale this week for a visit during Kyle's Reading Week from Algonquin College.  That would make it a double bonus for Boo as she got to skip a week of school to join - not to worry we made her do homework (at least a little).  We had a few alternate itineraries set out that would take them off the beaten path down the Keys, or to locations with access to more amenities. 

To test the concept we took a long run from Fort Lauderdale, past Miami and on to the Boca Chita Key.  BCK is a picturesque little island State Park that has lovely views and represents a fairly unspoiled view of what a natural key would look like.  While it was picturesque, it was also full of mosquitoes, so after a night and an early morning run and swim - we dropped lines and headed back to Miami, content in the attempt to go the rustic route.

Getting to and from Miami was an interesting challenge each time we got to West Venetian Bridge, where all the boats from the Miami Boat Show were filing out to sea.  The bridge was a natural bottle neck and the big boats would stack up on either side waiting to get through.  On the way back I was hailed by one of the Yachts on the North side - "small motor yacht on the south side - this is the motor yacht Last Chance."  As I was the only yacht on the South side I somewhat peevishly responded and when asked who would like to proceed first I said I would - thank you very much!  Then we came around the corner and saw 7 rather large motor yachts lined up on the other side.  I was a little busy trying the clear the channel and make a hole so we did not get a good shot of all the yachts, but you get the idea.

Both Kyle and Rebecca got to navigate and drive the boat, but Sue was teaching Boo on the way back from Boca Chita and we missed taking a photo - however we did get one of Kyle.

Captain Kyle

Enjoying the view from the Front Deck

Enjoying the view from the Top Deck

 We then got up to the Palm Bay Yacht Club where we found a lovely little marina with:

• A Pool
• Hot Tub
• WIFI
• Electricity (to facilitate watching movies)
• and the holy grail - Starbucks!

We found our home for the rest of the week!  We all enjoyed the facilities and managed a day trip to Miami Beach by bus, bridge, foot and cab - don't ask!



Miami Backdrop



Miami Beach



If You Have to do Homework.......



Butt - What!

Wiped!

Our week was over too quickly!  We really enjoyed spending time with the kids and were sad to see them go - they really have become fine young adults and it was great enjoying our adventure together!