Up a Not So Lazy River

 Page Two

An astounding collection of yachts is one of the hallmarks of this river cruise.

A recently completed redevelopment project had new public city docks installed that are a favorite layup spot for transients who like to be in the midst of the social scene. Here you're within walking distance of the famous Las Olas shops and dozens of fine restaurants and watering holes.  On weekends, it's a beehive of activity.

Riverwalk is the heart of the social scene with no shortage of good restaurants and interesting watering holes.

Just a bit further up the river is River Walk where you'll encounter a particularly lively scene on weekends with dockside shops, food and drink vendors. There are frequent public festivals with evening entertainment featuring live bands. A word of caution for early risers though: this is not a place for people who go to bed early. Dock elsewhere if you value your sleep.

Approaching downtown, the river traffic can get very heavy as you approach the bridges.

At the point where the river passes through the city it becomes quite narrow with very heavy boat traffic between the two draw bridges. It's entertaining enough just to watch boats and yachts of all sizes, many well over 100 feet, attempting to navigate this narrow section without crashing into each other. They are not always successful.

The New River Hilton graces the the south side of the river here, which is actually the county jail, so named by locals because where else could you get a waterfront jail cell with a view?

Just north of the rail road bridge, which is, thank God,  normally open, is the River Front Marina and Shirt Tail Charley's, a popular restaurant and watering hole for the boating crowd with water front dockage. It was named after a Seminole Indian- Shirt Tail Charley,  who grew an excessive fondness for firewater, and developed quite a reputation for his drunken antics. So much so that he is remembered to this day.

A unique piece of property known as "The State of Florida," it is shaped exactly like the state by the river and has a swimming pool where Lake Okeechobee is on the map.

Earlier, you passed Cooley Hammock, named for an early pioneer family that was massacred by the Indians back in 1826. The city was named after army Major William Lauderdale who was sent in to subdue the Indians. Most of the early history of the city lies along the banks of this river, though it's rapidly succumbing to the rapaciousness of developers with no limits to their greed.

Immediately up river of the downtown area are the historic Bryan Homes, now a fancy private restaurant, the Chart House. 

Today the beautifully kept grounds with graceful coconut palms amidst a stand of ancient Live Oaks are part of Riverwalk and  attract many waterfront strollers, as well as the lunchtime crowds from the nearby office towers. This is contrasted against the facility of Allied Marine and Sun Power Diesel on the south side of the river, two of the numerous marine facilities serving yachts on the river.

Heading around the next bend in the river we come to another notable landmark, the Theater for the Performing Arts. Set right on the river, you can attend a play, ballet, opera or just about any kind of theatrical event short of Rock concerts, by boat -- that is if you're lucky enough to get one of the few dock spaces available. But you could always top off a well planned evening's entertainment by arriving on the Water Taxi, the colorful little green launches with yellow canopies that constantly ply the river.

There are numerous entertainment attractions in this area, including IMAX Theatre and Discovery Center, a great place for kids. It's got everything from extensive nature displays, to amazing hands-on science exhibits. So much is going on here that I've hardly begin to scratch the surface. This is a place you need to explore for yourself to plumb its depth of amusement and entertainment.

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