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As I drift around town these days, I often notice things I might have overlooked before – or at least things I had taken for granted in the past. That’s one of the benefits of writing this blog. I look more closely at this amazing part of the world. And I appreciate it more.
So my next three blogs will feature three spots in Fort Lauderdale that are underappreciated or underused. Or both. They’re all relatively close to each other. And best of all, you could enjoy them in combination if you want – all three as part of a single outing. One of these places is large and obvious. The other two are small and hidden. But I think tourists and especially residents don’t pay enough attention to any of them.
Today’s subject is the 17th Street Causeway Bridge. Like I said, large and obvious. And underappreciated. (This one is definitely not underused, of course! Except perhaps by pedestrians and bicyclists.)
The numbers associated with the bridge are impressive. This massive structure was finished about five years ago at a cost of $62 million. It increased the clearance above the water from just 25 feet to 55 feet. That means the bridge doesn’t have to open so often. And that means traffic isn’t tied up so often.
But the view from this bridge is what makes it special – and underappreciated. If you approach from the west, you crest over the steep swath of pavement to find one of the only panoramic scenes you can catch from your car around here. On the right is Port Everglades. Cruise ships, sometimes Navy ships, tankers, tugs … they’re all tied up at various times. You can see the glistening Intracoastal Waterway and the Convention Center and the port buildings and it’s just a lovely sight.
Straight ahead lays a large expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. I’d driven over this bridge many times before I finally noticed this part of the view, which sits straight ahead in the near distance. It’s a beautiful scene, reflecting the sunlight and spreading east forever.
If you’re coming from the east, enjoy the north view to your right, another angle on the Intracoastal Waterway. This time you see sailboats, yachts, mansions, hotels, waterside restaurants. A grand home known locally as “the White House” (for reasons that are obvious when you see it) sits in the middle of the water, a palace built by some guy who made millions off a little gadget he invented and sold to the auto industry. That whole vista is classic South Florida.
This is where the walking or biking part comes in. Hundreds of motorists cross this bridge daily. Some of them briefly take in the view. (Admittedly, some tourists nearly park on the bridge to take in the view … ) But relatively few of us get out of our cars at one end of the bridge and walk over it to stop and truly soak in the details. Or hop on our bicycles and pedal to the top slowly.
So there’s hidden gem number one, though it is hidden very much in plain sight. Next week, I’ll let you know about a couple of places right off Las Olas that are relaxing, romantic and practically unknown by anyone, locals or visitors. Meantime, have a great weekend – and why not take a very slow walk over that very tall bridge while you’re at it?
So my next three blogs will feature three spots in Fort Lauderdale that are underappreciated or underused. Or both. They’re all relatively close to each other. And best of all, you could enjoy them in combination if you want – all three as part of a single outing. One of these places is large and obvious. The other two are small and hidden. But I think tourists and especially residents don’t pay enough attention to any of them.
Today’s subject is the 17th Street Causeway Bridge. Like I said, large and obvious. And underappreciated. (This one is definitely not underused, of course! Except perhaps by pedestrians and bicyclists.)
The numbers associated with the bridge are impressive. This massive structure was finished about five years ago at a cost of $62 million. It increased the clearance above the water from just 25 feet to 55 feet. That means the bridge doesn’t have to open so often. And that means traffic isn’t tied up so often.
But the view from this bridge is what makes it special – and underappreciated. If you approach from the west, you crest over the steep swath of pavement to find one of the only panoramic scenes you can catch from your car around here. On the right is Port Everglades. Cruise ships, sometimes Navy ships, tankers, tugs … they’re all tied up at various times. You can see the glistening Intracoastal Waterway and the Convention Center and the port buildings and it’s just a lovely sight.
Straight ahead lays a large expanse of the Atlantic Ocean. I’d driven over this bridge many times before I finally noticed this part of the view, which sits straight ahead in the near distance. It’s a beautiful scene, reflecting the sunlight and spreading east forever.
If you’re coming from the east, enjoy the north view to your right, another angle on the Intracoastal Waterway. This time you see sailboats, yachts, mansions, hotels, waterside restaurants. A grand home known locally as “the White House” (for reasons that are obvious when you see it) sits in the middle of the water, a palace built by some guy who made millions off a little gadget he invented and sold to the auto industry. That whole vista is classic South Florida.
This is where the walking or biking part comes in. Hundreds of motorists cross this bridge daily. Some of them briefly take in the view. (Admittedly, some tourists nearly park on the bridge to take in the view … ) But relatively few of us get out of our cars at one end of the bridge and walk over it to stop and truly soak in the details. Or hop on our bicycles and pedal to the top slowly.
So there’s hidden gem number one, though it is hidden very much in plain sight. Next week, I’ll let you know about a couple of places right off Las Olas that are relaxing, romantic and practically unknown by anyone, locals or visitors. Meantime, have a great weekend – and why not take a very slow walk over that very tall bridge while you’re at it?
posted by LauderBLOGGER at 4:55 PM
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