Background: Enter the New R., heading west, at MM 1065 on the ICW. The first 3/4 sm is pretty routine, then it narrows as it runs through downtown Ft L. and will have current. To reach Cooley's Landing Marina you go thourgh three highway bridges and one RR bridge (usually open). These three bridges are within a SHORT 3/4 sm of each other. They are: 3rd Avenue B., Andrews Avenue B., RR B.. and 7th Avenue B.
The second part of the post contains photos leaving New R. going out Port Everglades Inlet to No Name Harbor. LOON's first time outside and no bridges.
Thought I'd begin with ANOTHER bridge photo--not near Ft Lauderdale.
Ben and Jemma approaching Ft Lauderdale.
Welcome to New River. LOON docked on the boardwalk VERY close to 3rd Ave. B. This is slip #67 note the closeness to the wooden bridge fender.
Yacht. The bridge opened ALL night. Consequently, next day we moved the 3/4 sm to Cooley's Landing. And yes, through the four bridges...
The yachts were so large (around 140') that they used towing services. One toe boat on bow and one, being pulled backwards, on the stern. During my nine day stay there was a constant prade of these large yachts.
Ben and Dennis Chandler outside the Irish Pub on the waterfront along the New R. Photo by Carolyn. Dennis and Carolyn were married Dec 09. Congratulations.
Ben and Marc at the same Irish Pub.
How did this get into the blog? From Mr Louis deGuise, an SOS friend, reminding me of MD in the winter.
Manatee stopped by Cooley's Landing Marina.
Same Manatee. See the deep cut -- encounter with a power boat!
Mr Steve Swanson, an old/young salt,--deep in thought as he awaits his engine to warm up so he can change the oil.
LOON docked at Cooley's Landing. New R. is so narrow the large yachts pass just feet off your stern. Forget trying to get the entire yacht in one photo.
Same boat as above. While in the laundry at Cooley's Landing I looked at a copy of Boat International USA, 9/09 issue. It contained an article about Westport Yachts and their new 40M. AND the 40M passed by one day. The specifics: 40M or 130', beam 26', draft 6'6', fuel 9,965 gal, two MTU 12V diesels at 2735 hp each, guest 10, crew 8, delivered $18,895,000. TO give you an idea, the above boat is similar but not a Westport.
Same yacht with toe boat on stern.
Another yacht.
Every cruisers' dream. Dear friends, Mr Bill Small and Ms Barbara Billek, stop by and offer a ride to Publix. And a mear $250 later LOON is stocked for a few weeks. Bill and Barbara are in Hollywood, FL for a winter getaway.
Cruisers' daily routine. (l tor) Marc from Ma Muse and Sandra and Steve from Princess.
Otherside of LOON's cockpit (l to r) Jeri with her brother Dennis, Ben and Marc. Ben and Marc rafted with Dennis' Valiant 39 on a mooring in Vero Beach. Jeri, recently retired, admits having some difficulty adjusting. Being the nice guy I am, I suggested she enroll in LOON's on board living classroom. Daily seminars on such topics as: don't worry be happy, only people with schedules need a calendar, and my favorite -- do nothing days.
Following the daily happy hour, there is a little cleaning up. Remember- don't worry be happy!!
Your friends make your life!
And the parade continues.
Marina Office for Cooley's Landing Marina, New River, Ft Lauderdale. $1.20 ft.
0700. Leaving Cooley's Landing, headed down river to ICW. Must get through those 4 bridges again.
Narrowness of New River.
Another bridge.
The final bridge, 3rd Ave B, on New R.
Wanna meet a large boat along this stretch?
New River, stern view of SE 3rd Avenue B. River is so narrow, large yachts leave fenders out for protection. 
Looking aft as I depart New River . This is where it begins to narrow. Just guessing, doubt I'll ever see the little New R. by boat.
Yacht MADSUMMER. 257ft2in. Largest private yacht I've seen to date. It is docked at the Hyatt Regency Pier Sixty-Six, just north of the S.E. 17th St. B. While waiting for the bridge to open (on the 1/2 hr and hr) I purchased fuel across the ICW from this yacht. The marina charged $4 gal, but I only purchased 16 gallons! HaHa.
MM 1066-- Just south of 17st, Brooks Memorial B. Ft Lauderdale, cruise ship to right.
Cruise ship Ft Lauderdale. Note Coast Guard boat in foreground guarding a pier.
Cruise ship Disney or Discovery, I think, in Ft Lauderdale. How big is to big? Picture taken from the ocean immediately after turning south out of the Port Everglades Inlet channel.LOON motored sailed south, staying between 120 and 150 depths, passing Hollywood, Miami and Key Biscayne. Anchoring in No Name Harbor approximatley 40 sm from Cooley's Landing in the New R. NO bridges on the outside.
Looking northwest at Hollywood, FL- I think. (Hollywood lies between Ft Lauderdale and Miami)
Looking west at Miami.
MM 1089 if traveling the ICW. Looking west from ocean into Government Cut, Miami.
Next three photos taken east of Key Biscayne and at the beginning of Hawk Channel (Hawk Channel is between the Keys mainland and a series of reefs, it runs from south of Miami to Key West.)
LOON sailing at last.
Miami. 
Cape Florida LH, 95'. Located on southeast tip of Key Biscayne. Highrises on Key Biscayne in background. Photo taken from Hawk Channel entering Cape Florida Channel.
MM 1095. No Name Harbor. South end of Key Biscayne. Small harbor, only seven boats in the picture. Night before 13 boats anchored= VERY crowded. However, boat # 14, a 47 footer, anchored in front of LOON. After about 15 minutes the skipper decided it was to close and moved outside of the harbor. Great relief. 
MM 1095. Miami skyline viewed from south while crossing Biscayne Bay from No Name Harbor to Dinner Key Marina. Next Post. While spending 10 days on a mooring I visited Coconut Walk and South Beach.
Then down Hawk Channel (approx 110 nm) to Marathon, Dinner Key.
