Going To See It All: 2019-03-24

Thursday, March 28, 2019

Gators galore Miami - pet sitting 3 16 - 3 25 19

This is quick. Pet sat second time for nice couple in Doral, which is right next to Miami. I like to come here because it is close to so many fun things.

Had a mellow time from 16th to 21st when Vicky flew in from Tampa. Starting next day our fun began.

We went into Miami and took the Island Queen tour boat (Groupon great deal) and went around the harbor and had narration of who owned this yacht and which rich/famous person lived where. Those multi-million dollar homes are sure beautiful. We had perfect weather and enjoyed seeing it all. Then we had lunch - Cuban sandwiches - that we maybe the best I've had. Walked around marina area and window shopped.

Next stop was Wynwood Walls, a great open air, free venue that shows huge murals. It is in a neighborhood that is going through improvements and the area was interesting. I love mural art and we saw some really cool stuff.

Next day, March 23rd, we headed to Ft. Lauderdale. Our trip is during Spring break so the population has doubled. Some streets blocked off by the beach, police command centers, it was pretty wild. We headed to a quieter venue, Hugh Taylor Birch State Park. I have the Florida State Park pass so it was free. We did walk out to the beach -- this is more of a family beach. There were hardly any shells which was interesting. We then stopped at beach bar and had a beer and listed to their solo guitar player for a while and that was relaxing. We also stopped by a tent where a ranger was sharing snakes and turtles and giving us information about that. We even got to hold a snake.

We walked through the park and got on a water taxi that takes you up and down the intercoastal and there are 12 stops. So you can stop for lunch or shopping along the way and not have to pay for or try to find parking. I had read about the best bakery (French) in Ft. Lauderdale, so Vicky was cool with Stop 5 and we took a walk (our GPS sure took us on a stupid trip) to Nanou. Had too many pastries and coffee and then had to head back since we could only be parked in the park until 7:45 p.m. At the dock we met a nice gal from South Dakota named Allison. She was by herself and said she was so hungry and had to go eat. I told her we were heading to dinner and if she wanted to join us she could.

Walked to my car and saw a beautiful, magnificent banyan tree. A wedding was being held there too that day. What a neat place to get married. We drove quite a while with traffic to Field Irish Pub and Eatery. I'd been there with John when we were in town to leave for a cruise and loved the place. I know Vicky likes Irish food, so I took her there for her birthday. Allison ordered a big steak and really enjoyed it and just eating -- she was so hungry. So we drove Allison back downtown and headed home. We'd had a long day and got home around 11:00 p.m.

Off for adventure in the Everglades. I'd bought tickets, again through Groupon, for an airboat ride. John and I had taken this before and I knew that Vicky would enjoy it. Nice weather, great breeze on ride and we saw some gators. It was a fun hour.

Now down the road about 13 miles to Shark Valley National Park. (John and I had been here too). Vicky and I got tickets for the 2 hour tram ride and took a little nature walk while waiting for 3 p.m. We found a momma gator with about 20 or more little ones. So cute, first time I'd seen an mom and babies. On the tram and we really got our money's worth. Lots and lots of gators, all sizes and some really large ones. Saw lots of birds and this was a very interesting tour. Headed into Doral and ate at a wonderful Italian restaurant, Divieto. Oh the food was so good. I had Fiocchi di Pera, pasta stuffed with pear and Italian cheeses, in a four cheese cream sauce. Topped with fresh arugula, cherry tomatoes and candied walnuts. It was delightful. Unusual that I would try something so different, but sure glad I did.

I ate so much great food in this area. All types of Latin food is available and I tried to take advantage of it. Arepas, cochinita pibil, Cuban sandwiches, Italian bakeries (several trips). Good thing I have to go home. I just touched the surface of flavors here and most of these places were within 3 miles of where I was staying.

So if you live down in Florida and haven't spent some time down in the area try to get down for a few days. This is my second trip here and I've got a lot more to see and taste. Rico.

This huge chandalier came out of the

Trump Taj Mahal

https://miami.cbslocal.com/2017/12/05/taj-mahal-art-basel/

No shit!!!!

Technique for art above, very interesting.

These are all locks ... locks of love or ??

That's my plan!!!!!

Plan #2

And my reason to be in Doral, Florida was to take care of these critters, Nico, Paco and Lola. They were good kitties. Lola was a nut sometimes and would knock things off tables, desks or anyplace. You'd be asleep and hear clang, clang, boom, bang.

Lola, looking so innocent.

Paco and Nico

See the baby on mom's back. She had about 20

Vicky, had to feed the alligator.

Find the heart?

Captain Gena

U.S. National Registry of Historic Places - former home of the Miami News. In the 1960’s was a processing station for Cuban immigrants who were first exiled to Miami. Miami’s version of Ellis Island.

Miami is the number one cruise port in the world.

Highly rated so had to go find it.

Tasty treats. Needed afternoon coffee

and pasteries - French.

Happy Vicky holding a snake.

One HUGE gator. This photo doesn't do him justice.

See the baby on mom's back?

Our new South Dakota friend, Allison

Allison had never seen a banyan, one

huge tree.

We splurged and had a nice last dinner - Italian.

Seafood pasta with 1/2 lobster for Vicky.

I tried something different for once, four

cheeses with pears wrapped in pasta.

So that's about the end of our trip. We had a nice time and saw lots of new things and ate great food. Many laughs, a new friend and beauty everywhere. Who could ask for more!!!! Still lots more to see down there.

Sunday, March 24, 2019

Kissimmee, FL again 2/19

Back again. I think our first year here was in 2013. We spent several weeks here and John was even in the hospital in Orlando with a 5% chance to live. What a spirit that guy had and as he said, "I am a cat with 9 lives" and that was true.

We came every year in February because we met you Canadian friends and it was always a good reunion. I decided I'd still come so it was a little sad, but mostly happy with good memories. Have seen our friends, Walt and Lammy, along with folks we met last year, Don and Dale. Learned to play a new card game and learned what a Caesar is in Canada. I was imagining a salad, but it is their term for a Bloody Mary. Isn't that funny. We all went for dinner and I had the best baby back ribs I've ever eaten.........tender, not dry, spicy just enough and so smokey. Oh yum. Came back had some beers and played cards. A fun evening.

Tuesday and Wednesday night my Amigas (Sue and Vicky) came with Sue's friend, Leslie. She's from the Baltimore area and was really enjoying our weather. I made a pot roast for them so we had a nice dinner and Sue even wanted to sit at the table which surprised me. Guess I'm too used to sitting in my chair with TV.

We goofed around, went to Old Town, shopped, listened to music, saw cars and had a drink. A nice evening. Had a delish lunch at Sea Dog Brewery.........I had scallop risotto that was delicious and I took half home.

Met Walt and Lammy for brunch at Golden Corral, feasted and I got my cotton candy. I only had two so did show self control. After that feast, we took a walk at Shingle Creek and found the Osceola Museum showing the history of the county. It was a small, well done and free museum and we enjoyed it. The walk helped us "shake off brunch"......all 4 of us are on WW, so we've been trying to watch what we eat to some degree and get in our walking. We then went to a flea market and tourist shop and did more looking than buying. I keep saying "is this a want or need?"

They left for Clearwater Thursday afternoon, but first we played mini golf (they looked at me like I was nuts when I asked if they wanted to play) and had so much fun. Leslie had two hole in one shots. I did win, but I'm not bragging. I love mini golf and John and I played every time we came over here so I had good memories of our games and laughter.

Thursday night alone, had plans to go to the pool. and 8:30 p.m. salsa lessons at the pool, but instead I stayed in, played on computer and took a nap and TV. I think I was tired and just needed a rest....which is OK.

Friday, late with all the rush hour traffic, Doug and Diane arrived. We had some pot roast, visited and had some drinks. Bed late.

Next day Diane and I went out shopping to a store she loves and we found some household things. Came back, picked up Doug and off to lunch at Logans, had a huge and tasty meal. The beer was large and the glass so heavy I had to use to hands to drink from it.

That might I took them to Old Town, a favorite that I never get tired of. We had a little sprinkling but it didn't dampen our spirits. We walked around the "town", acted goofy, tried on sun glasses and laughed a lot. Then we saw the vintage cars and watched the car parade. Doug and Diane really had a good time. So glad they were able to come spend a few days with me.

So fast the week was over. Met up with Walt and Lammy at Wendy's and we said our goodbyes. Always hard to let them go. See you guys next year!!!!

Had a really nice time despite being a little worried I would feel bad since John wasn't with me. I know he would have wanted me to go and have fun. I had a few days alone, a few days with my local friends (so glad they came), enjoyed my Canadians so much (as usual) and then a bonus of Doug and Diane coming over. It turned out to be a very good week.