Ft. Lauderdale at last 1/28/2025

Awake at 4:15 to depart our house at 5:45AM. It’s been extremely cold this last week and a half and we are headed to warm weather and mild seas. It’s really nice to get off a plane that departed the cold northeast and lands in Florida, the home of sunshine, oranges and warm temperatures. JoAnn and I are off on our winter vacation, headed to tropical islands and, hopefully, mild seas. Our first stop is at the Riverside Hotel in Ft. Lauderdale.

We’ve been staying here for years. It feels like an old shoe; comfortable when you slip it on, an old friend. We are in room 1130, facing the river. It’s a view we’ve had many times before and one we never grow tired of. Let’s start with a shot of our room, which has been totally refurbished.

It is very modern now as compared to the much more traditional room of the past. Have a look in these photos taken in January 2023.

After checking in, we were off to lunch at the Boathouse. Here is a photo taken from our table, where we were seated by the New River which runs through Ft. Lauderdale to the sea. We like the Boathouse and it is associated with the Riverside Hotel.

Then we were off for a stroll down Las Olas Boulevard. I took a few shots along the way. Some of the photos are not the best but they still tell a story.

Here’s a wedding dress, in the middle of the display, it seems to be missing something, could it be a skirt? Sorry about the reflection.

The boulevard is populated with a number of art galleries, and this is a photo from one of them. Here’s looking at you!

Lots of opportunities for a tee shirt. I kinda liked this one.

A little bit of architecture. It comes with its own red octopus.

A view along the river.

Looking back at Las Olas Boulevard, in the direction from which we came.

As we made our way, we stumbled upon a Sunglass Hut. Being ever curious, since I have not been able to wear sunglasses without prescriptions since I was a kid and only now, after having my corneas replaced, am I able to even to consider buying over-the-counter glasses (my last being from CVS), we stopped in and met Emily. She was managing the store and pointed out, in response to my questions, what they had to offer. Here is a photo of her as she explained the merits of some of their different offerings. She was really delightful and a great representative for the store. If I was in the market for sun glasses I would certainly purchase from her.

Then, as we made our way, we came upon Chic, Evolution in Art. A great gallery in my opinion, which displayed some really different and distinct pieces. I took a few photos with the owner’s permission. I really enjoyed the pieces and thought them different and distinct. Have a look.

The following is the piece that brought me into the gallery. That’s my reflection in the photo.

Evening, and all was bright and alive. A couple of shots taken after dark of Las Olas.

And two from our balcony.

One more visit to Chic on our way back to the Riverside. “See, speak and hear no evil.”

Good night Ft. Lauderdale.