HERE'S A REAL SUM-OF-A-BEACH

It's the end of month #1 so tonight we're folding up our tipi for the 6-hour move tomorrow. Miami Beach is way more than neon and loud Lamborghinis. There are lively neighbourhoods, thousands of shared bikes, and great recreational trails, on top of the sunny breezy weather. Personally I love all the water and shore. I'll miss the models, surfers, container ships, and cruise ships so close you can smell what's for dinner (on the ships, maybe not the models...)

Last night was the monthly "Cultural Friday" in the Little Havana section. Surprisingly, no demonstrations for or against the new U.S. policy with Cuba, just locals with Cuban rhythm in their blood and sweet churro fried dough on their tongues. Domino Park has 20 tables ready for a slam-bang match among friendly couples. Paintings, sculpture, flower arrangements etc. draw the crowds with wild colour schemes. The highlight though was a 4 pc. band that played everything from soulful Cuban melodies to pop hits like "Happy". Dancers both amateur and pro proved they were just that!

No surprise that I found a classic car show nearby this afternoon. Lots of customized, lots of added horsepower, not a lot of restored beauties.Well, maybe.  There was the black Firebird from Smokey and the Bandit. Oh and a nostalgia-full VW van with front windows that open forward for venting. My Best-in-Show was this extended orange crate. Can you tell it started out as a 1939 Lincoln?

This guy is a dummy. No, really --- the most convincing one I've ever seen. But we're no dummies; we'll be heading out at sunrise Sunday morning, racing the sun across the state. With luck, we'll see the Atlantic sunrise, Gulf sunset, and desert Super Bowl all on the same day!