Water Taxi ride!

Yesterday we took a water taxi ride through the canals of Ft Lauderdale. There are 165 miles of navigable canals within the City limits. The canals and houses were built in the 1950’s - 60’s. The tour guide said the average house on a canal sold for $35 - $45,000 back then.

Pictured above is the Stranahan House, the first house built in Ft Lauderdale in 1901. It sits on the New River, and acted as the home and office for Frank Stranahan and his trading post and ferry crossing, which connected the towns of Lantana and North Miami.

We have noticed numerous large boats being towed on the river. We don’t know if it is because they won’t run, and are being towed to a marina, if the Captain is not available and the owner wants the boat moved, or if it is just easier to tow them than pilot them through this skinny body of water. In any event, it is interesting watching as one tow boat pulls from the front, and another tow boat in the rear, being dragged backwards, powers up and swings the stern thru the corners.

Below are some of the houses we saw along the New River. There is everything from opulent mansions, to some of the original 1950’s homes which remain untouched. 

This home is the only home which is built over the water. We were told this was due to a “surveyors error”. It was originally built for Joe Namath, and was once named as the Playboy Bachelor Pad of the Year! It now looks to be the worse for wear and neglected.

Where three or four 1950’s ramblers once stood, there are now mansions owned by some of the wealthiest people in America. Just the property taxes alone can run $50,000 - PER MONTH!

I could go on and on with photos of these mansions. They just don’t end! The wealth here is amazing! The stories of who the owners are / were, who got what in the divorce settlement, and the homes built as 16th Birthday presents for the kids were very interesting. Some of the original homes remain, and also have interesting stories as to who built them.

One street the Taxi drivers refer to as “Party Avenue”. One home is owned by the Seagrams family, the next by a plastic surgeon, one by Sunny and Cher, and one by the guy that invented Alka Seltzer.

The story goes that you stop at the surgeons to get made over, pick up some drinks at the Seagrams, be entertained by Sunny & Cher, and grab some Alka Seltzer on the way home!

And of course there are the boats! Some of the most magnificent yachts I have ever seen! I’ll show you a few. 

This is a newer yacht made to look old. It is owned by Johnny Depp. He was just pulling out, headed for his private island in the Caribbean. 

It is rumored that the OHANA was only 27’ long when it first pulled into Lauderdale. However, the owner invented a little blue pill called Viagra. It seems to have done the trick!

I bet Pats nephew Brad and sister Judy know who owns this boat!

Whats that??? You’re not sure? I’ll give you a little hint. Take a look at the name below. 

You got it!  Mustang Sally is owned by Rousch Racing!

 This is one of the largest we saw, and I think one of the prettiest. 

The side of this boat opens so the 40' dinghy can easily be launched.  We were told that when the owner named this yacht, he wanted his initials to be prominent in the name. The Seven Seas starts and ends with an S, for Stephen Spielberg.

And  for a perfect end to a perfect day, Liz came to pick us up, and take us to dinner at Roccos Tacos on the “Happenin” street of Las Olas. Liz is the daughter of Pat’s good friends Linda and Dale. She lives in Ft Lauderdale with her husband, and is pursuing her PHD in Marine Biology. She fascinated us talking about her research project of studying and trying to re establish Staghorn Coral.

She has logged over 600 dives for her research, in places from Ft Lauderdale, to Long Key, and the Dry Tortugas. She and her team are studying why this coral has been dying off, and are attempting to re-establish reefs with new growth.  We wish you much success Liz!

Whew!  That was a long, fun filled day. Today Marc & I are going to attend what is said to be the worlds largest boaters flea market! An acquaintance of mine I met on the Cruisers Yacht Owners forum on the internet lives here in Ft Lauderdale, and has an identical boat to ours! What a coincidence! He is picking us up, and taking us there. I’ll fill you in later on what we see!

Bye for now

Captn Ken