Day T-2, Friday April 13, Ft. Lauderdale

Almost sunrise, Friday the 13th

This was overall a pretty quiet day, although a discrepancy between the
forecast and actual weather did make things a bit interesting. I woke
about 6 and was out for a walk a bit before 7 hoping to see a Florida
sunrise. I was out in time but the area near the hotel is lined with
buildings and trees and never actually saw the sun for about the first
15 minutes. I did a lot of walking today, down along the beach and
looking for a good vantage point for tomorrow's sailaways. I did not
find much and it looks like my best option will be the 17th Street
bridge. The bus line which serves the hotel runs from Lauderdale Mall
inland to the Galleria Mall a few miles up the beach, and I went to
Galleria Mall in late morning.
I did not find much of interest there but about 11:15 an unexpected
shower turned into a deluge. It was the kind of rain normally
associated with a thunderstorm although there was no thunder. The
deluge continued for about 20 minutes before returning to a shower. I
took the bus back to town and as I was preparing to get off the deluge
returned, this time for about 40 minutes. I took shelter in town and
finally returned to the hotel about 2:30, and then took another walk
looking for a seaside vantage point. Once more it rained, but this time
a shower my rain jacket could handle.
After this final walk I did spent about half an hour on the computer in
the hotel, then realized that I could barely walk, with a very sore
ankle. It felt fine while I was walking but was almost impossible after
a period of activity.
While out for dinner I bought an ankle brace at the pharmacy and that
seems to have helped a lot. I have also booked a noon shuttle to the
port Sunday.
My room at the Pier 66 is pleasant but the view is disappointing. I am
on the 3rd floor, and my balcony can just barely see the Intracoastal
waterway looking West, and just a trace of the 17th street bridge. If I
want to see any ship traffic I will have to find a new vantage point
(ankle permitting).
Today's parting shot considers the fact that life goes on while I am
away cruising. I work with a group of scouts sponsored by my Fire
Department, and this morning's mail contained a message that one of our
scouts has just been certified as our newest Eagle Scout. Evan,
congratulations and well done.
Roy