The weather was perfect to spend some time outside today.  We decided to get the grilling supplies and to head over to Hugh Taylor Birch State Park in Ft. Lauderdale Beach.  Living in a condo, you sometimes don't have easy access to a grill (if you have access at all) and this is a great excuse to cook up some meat for the week and enjoy the outdoors.

Hugh Taylor Birch State Park is located at the corner of Sunrise Blvd and A1A (the car entrance is on Sunrise Blvd).  The park is actually quite large and has lots of picnic spots and trails.  You'd actually be very surprised on how it feels like you are totally secluded in some areas of the park.

The entrance fee is $6 per car.  We chose to drive to the picnic areas that overlook the Intercostal Waterway so we could watch the boats drive by.  We found the perfect spot.


(The perfect shady grill spot)


(We parked right near the picnic area)

We figured the best time to get here was around 11 AM.  By noon...many of good locations were taken.  We did a pretty good job packing for the grill mission...especially since this was our first one.  We brought 2 chicken breasts, 2 steaks, 2 minute steaks and 4 lean burgers.  We figured we could grill up the meat and have it all week.


(Jeff getting ready to start the grill)


(...and the grill is lit!)


(Jeff's a bit excited to start...I had to tell him we had to wait for the flames to stop)


(...and the grill is finally ready)

This spot is great.  The shade from the trees really dropped the temperature and there were lots of boats to keep us entertained while we grilled.  The Water Taxi went by a few times and some crazy big luxury boats too.  This area of the Intercostal wasn't a 'no wake' zone...so some of the boats were really flying.


(This HUGE boat went by while we were grilling.  Do you really need a boat THIS big?)


(Grilled steaks and chicken...mmmm.)

While you can spend the whole day out here...we opted to spend a few hours, which was perfect for us.  We had some burgers and had great grilled meat left over.  This park is really a great hidden gem of the area and we highly suggest a visit.  They also have special functions at the park on occasion so keep an eye out for those as well.