LauderBlog
Oct 28: Shooting Upstream
Posted On: October 28, 2008 11:23 AM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
It’s always interesting around town right before the big boat show opens. The Fort Lauderdale International Boat Show begins later this week and there will be a lot more to say about it then. But for now, let me just note that there’s a noticeable change in this community even a week before the event gets going. Drive along the beach and you’ll see vans and buses and cars parked on A1A to unload supplies and people. Hotels start filling up early and so do bars and restaurants near the show. And on the water, yards and yards of portable docks have been installed to handle the array of boats that will take part, from megayachts to speedboats and more. Some of these waterside preparations were already in place last Tuesday when my brother-in-law, Jack, and I hopped on one of the water taxis to tour Fort Lauderdale.
Jack and my sister, Sondra, have visited me before, but we hadn’t found an opportunity to get around this area by boat – the best way, really. Unfortunately, Sondra couldn’t make it this time either as she’d already flown home to prepare for her own houseguests. But Jack stayed with me a couple extra days to do brother kinds of things together. That brought us to the water taxis, where you can pay a little for a whole day of floating on the Intracoastal Waterway and the New River. The boats offer a terrific view of Fort Lauderdale and Jack really enjoyed our ride.
Our taxi motored into such places as the Bahia Mar marina, where those floating docks were waiting for the first boat to arrive for the show. Many tents were up dockside by then and people were working inside them. Some of the larger mega-yachts were backing into the docks. It’s an impressive sight. It was great to catch some of the setup as we headed upstream on the Intracoastal, bound for Shooters. This classic waterfront café attracts more than its own share of boaters, along with partiers and players, studs and babes. It’s a scene and a fun spot to share with your brother, for sure. We sipped on cold beers, ate spicy chicken wings and warm Bimini bread, chatted with our waitress and basically just had a grand time being “guys” at Shooters. I’m still not sure why this is guy behavior but it is and there you have it. I just know that I loved every minute and I already miss Jack and Sondra now that they’re gone. It’s really too bad their visit wasn’t timed a bit later so they could have headed over to the boat show. Next time, maybe. This is definitely one of those genuine Fort Lauderdale experiences, whether you're a resident or tourist. Or maybe just the sister or brother of a resident.
Jack and my sister, Sondra, have visited me before, but we hadn’t found an opportunity to get around this area by boat – the best way, really. Unfortunately, Sondra couldn’t make it this time either as she’d already flown home to prepare for her own houseguests. But Jack stayed with me a couple extra days to do brother kinds of things together. That brought us to the water taxis, where you can pay a little for a whole day of floating on the Intracoastal Waterway and the New River. The boats offer a terrific view of Fort Lauderdale and Jack really enjoyed our ride.
Our taxi motored into such places as the Bahia Mar marina, where those floating docks were waiting for the first boat to arrive for the show. Many tents were up dockside by then and people were working inside them. Some of the larger mega-yachts were backing into the docks. It’s an impressive sight. It was great to catch some of the setup as we headed upstream on the Intracoastal, bound for Shooters. This classic waterfront café attracts more than its own share of boaters, along with partiers and players, studs and babes. It’s a scene and a fun spot to share with your brother, for sure. We sipped on cold beers, ate spicy chicken wings and warm Bimini bread, chatted with our waitress and basically just had a grand time being “guys” at Shooters. I’m still not sure why this is guy behavior but it is and there you have it. I just know that I loved every minute and I already miss Jack and Sondra now that they’re gone. It’s really too bad their visit wasn’t timed a bit later so they could have headed over to the boat show. Next time, maybe. This is definitely one of those genuine Fort Lauderdale experiences, whether you're a resident or tourist. Or maybe just the sister or brother of a resident.
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