Last Sunday we did the traditional drive up to Fort Lauderdale for outdoor breakfast. Sunny to arrive but wind and lashing rain wiped out the day. (Brekkie was indoors at that popular Scottish restaurant ---- McD's!) Back in our 'hood the week was more normal: walking, runners tuning up for the Miami Marathon, cruise ships, dredging, etc.
But the major event of the week was the visit of T & J from their winter haven up the coast at Vero Beach. It was also Art Deco Weekend, the most colourful and popular event of the year. Big happy crowds, closed-off streets, drag queens, layers of Spanish culture, etc. It's the 100th anniversary of Miami Beach, so there was also an all-night Dance-A-Thon where you had to dance the styles and music of all ten decades! Sure, you can Twist --- but can you Lindy? Jive? Viennese Waltz?
Then to fulfill T's life-long wish, a sunny top-down drive over 42 bridges stringing Florida's island pearls to Key West. Still traces of the old railway that opened the Keys in 1912 but quickly was destroyed by another string ---- of hurricanes! But once in Key West the tourist stuff seemed like an OK idea. The interesting historic and architectural narration of the 90-minute Conch Train ride. Belly-busting burgers or sloppy joes at Hemingway's hangout--- Sloppy Joe's! The lineup for an obligatory pose at the Southernmost Point of the USA. The salute to Mile Zero of US 1, the classic old road from Maine to Mainly Sunny.
Sunset brings tourists like lemmings-with-wallets to Mallory Square. Aggressive buskers eat fire, walk tightropes, or offer amateur art to cajole a living. Some folks find the city's official statue-figures more intriguing. But when the sun finally takes the plunge everybody oohs and ahhhs in that direction.
Even with the 4-hour musical ride home last night, a good time had been had by all the tourists. Next time, I gotta have the Key Lime Pie too...
Then to fulfill T's life-long wish, a sunny top-down drive over 42 bridges stringing Florida's island pearls to Key West. Still traces of the old railway that opened the Keys in 1912 but quickly was destroyed by another string ---- of hurricanes! But once in Key West the tourist stuff seemed like an OK idea. The interesting historic and architectural narration of the 90-minute Conch Train ride. Belly-busting burgers or sloppy joes at Hemingway's hangout--- Sloppy Joe's! The lineup for an obligatory pose at the Southernmost Point of the USA. The salute to Mile Zero of US 1, the classic old road from Maine to Mainly Sunny.
Sunset brings tourists like lemmings-with-wallets to Mallory Square. Aggressive buskers eat fire, walk tightropes, or offer amateur art to cajole a living. Some folks find the city's official statue-figures more intriguing. But when the sun finally takes the plunge everybody oohs and ahhhs in that direction.
Even with the 4-hour musical ride home last night, a good time had been had by all the tourists. Next time, I gotta have the Key Lime Pie too...
Thanks for a wonderful weekend! You two are the best Host/tour guides EVER!.(and we loved your music too) :) Much love, T & J
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