Later in the week we ventured back to the airport to pick up Kim & Lu who had flown down to escape the cooler weather of the North.
As is usually the case when we get together mayhem ensues.
Unfortunately the Florida weather has been cooler than normal this winter keeping us in the dock most of the time. Good for keeping the diesel cost down but not so good for getting a tan.
Since we couldn't get away from the dock we decided to drive up to Venice to visit mutual friends Diane & Denny from back home who were testing the retired life in Florida by renting a condo for a couple of months. I'd say they have adapted quite well since Denny was still on the golf course when we arrived. We had a great time visiting and catching up culminated by dinner at a local haunt along the ICW which was very good.
The cool weather almost numbed our brains into forgetting about Valentine's Day but the guys came through with roses and cards for our valentine's.
On Sunday we piled into the car and drove over to Miami for the boat show. There are actually 2 shows at once. The Yacht & Brokerage Show held along Collins Ave. and the Miami Boat Show which is held in the Convention Center and at a couple of marinas in Miami. The show lasts 5 days but we opted to only spend 2. Day one we spent at the Brokerage Show. The pictures don't begin to convey the size of the show and the variety of boats on display.
We walked our legs off from one end of the show to the other and back again and still didn't see half of the boats on display. Even returning to the car and sitting in traffic on Collins was a relief while we crept south to our hotel.
We stayed at a place around 14th St. called The South Beach Plaza. A clean boutique style hotel with a small bar and no frills rooms. The location was the best part midway between the Convention Center and the zaniness of South Beach.
South Beach Plaza Hotel.
That evening we managed to get a table for 4 at Grillfish which had just turned the group in front of us away. Dinner was delicious and the service equally good. (www.grillfish.com)
Monday dawned and we were off to the convention center for more fiberglass sniffing. On the walk up we passed the Jackie Gleason Theater located next to the center.
Jackie Gleason Theater at the Fillmore.
The show at the convention center contains just about anything related to boating. So many exhibits that it spills outside under tents that cover the parking lot. Once again we walked all day and only scratched the surface.
Kim best described our 2 days at the show by calling it "sensory overload". There's no doubt your head is spinning by the time you're done.
For me the most rewarding feature of the show was finding out that I could get our Steiner binoculars repaired free of charge. We've had them for over 15 years and they still work perfectly however the casing is deteriorating and needs replacing.
Monday evening we met Rick & Sarah (M/V Private Affair) at The Clevelander (www.clevelander.com) on Ocean Drive for cocktails. It was a bit brisk which kept the crowd down at this popular watering hole.
The Clevelander
Later we strolled down Ocean Drive all the while being pestered as we passed each restaurant to come in because theirs was the best food on all of South Beach. Finally we settled on a spot that turned out to be adequate at best and the most expensive gin & tonic I've ever had at $18.95!
After dinner we moved on to Mango's, a nightclub styled after the clubs of Havana complete with Latin music and dancers. (www.mango'stropicalcafe.com)
The pro's.
The wannabee's.
By Tuesday morning we were all ready to get out of Dodge. But not before having breakfast at a place called 1957 Havana. (www.havana1957.com)
You can't beat Cuban Coffee with friends!
As we rolled out of town we passed many of the restored buildings and Dodge Island where the cruise ships dock.
South Beach.
Dodge Island.
Before long we were spotting alligators along the highway on our way back to Tourist.
The weather was still breezy and cool the next day so we took a ride out to Pine Island and Woody's for lunch with a stop at Matlacha for ice cream.
Someone had a blue margarita for lunch.
Finally on Saturday we were able to take Tourist out for a day cruise but not before having a maple bacon donut from Bennett's across the street from Legacy.
Tasty!
Saturday evening was the annual Edison Festival of Light parade that snakes it's way through Ft. Myers. We didn't make the parade but we had a great view of the fireworks display.
Just like the 4th of July!
We had a great time while Kim & Lu were here in spite of not spending as much time away from the dock as we would normally like.
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