Back Home, South Beach Summary

After being back in Michigan it is time for a bit of a wrap up of our fabulous trip to the Keys and South Beach. As always, the time went much too fast. Our weather was warm but not as sunny for the second half of our trip, especially compared to last year. Several cloudy days and a fair amount of wind.

On Wednesday, Christmas eve  we went to the newly remodeled Fontainebleau. They claim to have spent 1 billion on the renovations which is hard to fathom until actually seeing the resort. The outdoor spaces are beyond words with numerous infinity edge pools, gazeboes on "islands", incredible cabanas and outdoor bars.

We had a lovely dinner at the restaurant Vida after cocktails at the "blue bar" with the it's illuminated blue floor and George Jetson chairs. Food was good but the restaurant was very loud. Unfortunately, they would not allow the under 21 part of our gang into the bar so they wandered the grounds. Seemed rather ridiculous considering it was early evening, the bar is part of the lobby, they were not busy, and parents were along. A little too much "attitude" with the employees at Fountainebleau will probably make this my only visit. Loews is just a lot more friendly and with excellent customer service.

Christmas day we had our gift exchange and had lunch poolside at Loews. A bit of swimming and enjoying the afternoon followed. Hum, to think we could be up north freezing. I'm just not sure why we didn't start doing the winter getaways to somewhere warm years ago. Christmas evening was back to the Ritz Carlton South Beach as we had done last year. We started out with a table outside overlooking the pool. However, with the music being loud making it hard to converse, and with the whole resort going smoke free a few weeks prior (hence could smoke outside either), we moved to an inside table. They had all kinds of wonderful and exotic foods available with the Christmas buffet. From caviar to duck, lobster, lamb, sushi, it was endless decadence. I think I ended up with about 8 different kinds of seafood alone that night.

Unfortunately, at the Ritz and most everywhere we went the signs of a changed economy were only too obvious. Last year, the Ritz was full for the Christmas dinner. This year it was over half empty. People either can't afford living large right now or many that can are choosing not to. Although it isn't a tragedy people to not have the extravagant meals, great lodging and other luxuries, I'm sure there are many employees of these resorts that are either laid off or have reduced hours and incomes because of the lack of business. Times they are a changing.

Friday was a relaxed day. After taking Barb's mom to the airport, we had another great lunch poolside along with several great rum runners. The afternoon was a blur but I'm sure it was enjoyable at the pool and beach. For the evening we ended up down on Lincoln which is several city blocks that are closed off into an outdoor mall with lots of restaurants, galleries and shops. We had a german dinner and beers at the Hauf Brau Haus sitting outside of course. Lots of good people watching, street artists and musicians too.

We had a  short swim Saturday morning before packing it up and heading back to the airport. Returning the rental car was less then a joy at Alamo. It was a complete circus with probably over 100 customer in their little building and no direction from the staff. It really felt like we were in a third world country. Enterprise or Hertz from now on.

With being back for almost a week, I'm already plotting out my ideas for next year and getting out of the cold. In many ways, driving down seems to be less stressful along with staying much longer in the Keys for a bit more fishing and R&R.

I've got to stop wishing, gotta go fishing... J. Buffett

What color is the sky in your world?

While in the Keys and  South Beach, I was thinking a lot about the colors. With photography, one is always looking at and trying to find the perfect light. Often times this is at the golden hour which is at both sunrise and sunset each day. When the sun is low in the sky, the colors are warmer and there are interesting shadows. However, there are also major differences in the color of the sky and surroundings based on geography. 

When I was much younger I was reading a book by Frank Lloyd Wright and he was discussing the color of the sky in Greece along with the classic architecture. He was saying that one really needs to travel to Greece to appreciate the contrast of the sky, the Mediterranean Sea and the white buildings and architecture. When Barb and I were in Greece on our honeymoon, I "got it." The deep clear blue sky does truly set off the area with a light unlike what I'm use to in the Midwest.

With this recent trip to the Keys and Miami, I again saw the colors in the sky that I have not noticed in other areas. Lots of yellows, pinks and light blues, especially in the morning. Although I've never been much for pastel colors, I'm really starting to appreciate these colors and how they are sometimes used in design to create a certain mood. The yellow and lighter blue hull boats especially seem more fitting  after spending time in Southern Florida.

I came to the same level of appreciation of the colors of the southwest after a motorcycle trip to Utah several years back. In part from the sky and also from the surroundings. The colors were different in this part of the country.

I'm sure there are many factors that all play into the normal light and color of the sky in different areas of the world. Between latitude (angle of the sun is greater as you move away from the equater), surroundings  (such as the ocean, forests or red rock being reflected),  altitude (great deep blue sky at high elevations), and particles in the air (moisture, dust, pollution) all would have some effect on quantity and quality of light.

Be sure to try to see and appreciate the different colors and qualities of light when at home and while traveling.

Off to South Beach

It was tough leaving Islamorada yesterday, even if it was to head up to South Beach. Another beautiful day, although a bit breezy. A couple of photos including the one above in front of our hotel and then it was back on the road heading north. We had a great meal at a place on the water in Key Largo. A heck of a good Mahi Mahi sandwich, a rum runner, and then just I camped out in the backseat of the convertible for the windy drive to Loews. 

Barb and Barry had a heck of a time finding Barb's mom at the airport last night but after involving security and a bunch of paging, they did find her waiting outside and all was well. This afternoon the whole gang headed up to Bal Harbor and walked around all the ritzy shops and had a great lunch again outside. The shopping is obscene such as the $800,000 diamond covered watch we saw. All around Miami the cars are out of this world. Lots of Rolls Royces, Ferraris, Aston Martins, along with what seem to be so common, the Bentleys and Lambos. Where does all the money come from and it is a bit hard to witness when you see a lot of street people in the same areas with nothing.

Sat on the beach, till my body got fried...

What a perfect day today! Woke up to full sunshine, streaming in the open walls, had some breakfast and hopped in the car with the top down to head south. Destination,  Bahia Honda State Park.  Rated the in the top ten beaches in the country consistently, this seemed like the perfect destination for the perfect day.  

Relaxation was the only goal of the day.  We selected a secluded, quiet spot on the beach to lay out.  We spent the day swimming the Atlantic Ocean at a warm 77 degree water temp, and laying on the beach in the sun.  The day panned out perfectly, and as the sun dipped into the ocean we got back in the convertible and cruised back to the hotel for a little live music, pizza, and a great bottle of Italian wine, of course.  

Couldn't ask for more. The Weather Is HERE!!!

Fish On!

I don't catch many fish but this one makes up for all the times I haven't.  While in Islamorada we went out on a party fish boat thinking we would catch some snapper and other fish, hopefully for our dinner tonight. With good guidance from the crew, we decided to opt for the preferred stern positions on our boat. Long story short, we actually got the five foot plus sailfish into the boat. After a quick couple of pics it was back in the water for another day and another thrill. Austin also had a huge kingfish on his line but it broke off right at the transom. 

With nothing to cook up tonight, we ended up at the outdoor bar of the adjoining Outback restaurant. This is unlike any other Outback I know of with an outdoor bar with the thatched roof bar area, tiki torches, and a really good guitar player. Nice evening again to eat outside.  All in all, it just doesn't get better then being down in the Keys at this time of year. 

We Made It!

After a long day of travel, Austin, Barb and I made it down into the Keys early this morning. Barb and I got up at 5:30 Thursday morning, took the Michigan Flyer to Detroit Metro and had a non-stop flight to Miami. Other then getting my mom up too early to take us to the drop off in East Lansing for the Michigan Flyer and the screaming toddler on the flight, all went well with our travels. After getting to Miami, we picked up our rental car and headed to South Beach for the afternoon and evening. Some cute Cuban girl talked us into eating at a restaurant on Ocean Boulevard. After our meal, lots of walking around South Beach, hanging out at the beach, then off to Bal Harbor area before finally going back to the airport to pick up Austin.

Austin's day started with a final exam at school, then flights from Bozeman to Minny to Detroit and then finally to Miami. With a winter storm in the forecast, we all were concerned about Austin getting stuck in Detroit. Thankfully, his flights all went well and he landed in Miami at 12:30 or so last night or this morning. After getting his luggage, we left Miami at around 1:30am and rolled into our place at Islamorada at about 3:30am this morning. The girl at the front desk needed a wake up call and we finally got settled and went to bed a bit after 4:00.

A pretty laid back day down here after a few hours of solid sleep. So many of Jimmy Buffett's lyrics come alive with being in the Keys. Driving around in a convertible, relaxing in a hammock, drinking all kinds of rum concoctions, the smell of the ocean, listening to the wind in the palms, it is all just so good. 

Tonight we had dinner at fish market/outdoor restaurant. A great meal, live reggae music, a pretty sunset, what more could one ask for. Especially when so many of our friends and family are buried in snow up in Michigan. We are off to do a bit of fishing in the morning and snorkeling at some point before heading back to South Beach on Monday.

Upcoming Trip

Can't wait to be back in Florida for the holidays.