The 2016 Sojourn to South Beach (SoBe)

Thursday Feb 25th and Friday Feb 26th

Al P ( so many Al's in this club!) and his wife Marion graciously invited me to come to stay overnight in SoBe to explore the area and of course.... to cycle. 

This is the view from their condo

The water is as blue as the Caribbean.....really!

It was a bit to chilly to go to the beach so we decide to venture out and explore Ocean Ave which has the nightclubs, restaurants, and all types of hotels including some Art Deco designed hotels. 

One of the Art Deco hotels

This is Versace mansion and the place where he was shot by his lover

This car was made of stainless steel.  Someone has way too much money!  The license plate was from NY

Citi bike kiosks were located throughout the city.   I think Al said there were 50 of them!

There was a big weekend festival ( there seems to be one every weekend) and this one featured celebrity chefs....and of course food.  There were tents on the beach that must have extended a mile....really.  On Friday when we came back from the ride the line for tickets was so long it would probably take three hours to purchase one!!

At dinner which consisted of French crepes on Lincoln Street which is walking pedestrian mall, our conversation consisted of the fact that SoBe is sinking much like Venice, Italy.  Who knows how many years that it will take for the water to overtake the land but it has been determined that it will definitely happen at some point.  Perpetual Headwinds mentioned this to me when I first moved to Florida but I didn't believe her.   




On Friday morning.....a windy and a bit chilly one...we decided to ride towards Hollywood Beach which is north of SoBe.   I got up early to see the sunrise and got a surprise instead.  Al was up by that time and when we looked out the window just after sunrise there was a strange looking boat....a rowboat I think....full of people.  Al thought it might be Cuban refugees but quickly dismissed that thought as there was no Coast Guard boats chasing it.  Seems a common thing in Miami.  However within 10 minutes the Miami police were chasing the boat via the beach.  They were too late.  Once the Cubans are on the beach they are granted immunity from deportation.  They have special status as Al explained to me.  However, the police are equipped to get them connected to a Cuban community who will give them housing and money so that they can get started with jobs and work here in the US rather than receiving US assistance.  Unfortunately I didn't get a photo of the boat.

We started at 9 AM and the ride was going to be approximately 35-40 miles.  The following photos are some of the things we saw along the way to Hollywood Beach and back

Look at the sign.  It says the bikes have the right to use the full lane!  We need this on the west coast of Florida and NJ could certainly use this. 

This beach is located in North Miami Beach.  The second sign is self explanatory.  Zoom in and you will understand what I am talking about.   Too funny but I guess some people need to be told.

We came back the same way and by that time A1A was crowded and many times we ended up riding on the sidewalks to avoid the cars.  Better to start early in the morning and avoid the cars at all possible.  Since it was so cold and windy it was not an option for us.

The gracious hosts.   Thank you for a great time and awesome hospitality!!!  Can't wait for my invite next year.

The Second Annual Mardi Gras Parade

Saturday February 22, 2016

The second annual Mardi Gras parade in my community was held this past Saturday.  It was even bigger this year with a fire truck and marching band to start the parade as well as classic cars and Corvette's owned by the residents.  A great time was had by all.

Enjoy the photos!

 The newest street in the community...Quiet Water Way.  Their theme was Mardi Gras of course.

 This is Tiger Barb Way....another new street in the community

 Some of the residents who have golf carts also decorated for the event

 This was my first car.....1965 Mustang although I didn't have a convertible

 I don't remember the name of the street for this group but the theme was Star Wars

 Below is the Wahoo Drive....their theme was football. See the goal posts in the far background  They even had two dogs catching footballs but I was not able to get a photo of them.

Now the Corvette's

More decorated golf carts.   Hey....it's Florida  At least they were throwing out beads and candy!!

 

 This one below is also a golf cart.  Very cool!!

Islet Trail is yet another street in the community

 Fonzi on the float!

 This gal could do the hula with the hula hoop.  Remember those days???

 A motorcycle with a sidecar

THE END

A Get Together in Florida

February 10, 2016

Bob W and his wife, Pat, invited the SW Florida gang ( the visitors too that are here riding for a few months) to a get together.....complete with a yummy dinner....at their home on Tuesday.   Smiling faces included Dennis W and his wife Marion and a visiting friend from NJ, Al P and his wife Marion, Bruce K and Diane, Bob S and his wife Meg and of course myself.  Thank you to Bob W and Pat for inviting the gang and hosting such a nice dinner.


Driving home I asked myself why I am in Florida when there are so many great and wonderful riding and non-riding spouses in NJ.   Sigh.....I was sad thinking about when they will leave but I know this was the right decision for me to move to a warmer, more affordable state.  Thank goodness I have Bob W and Bob S who are now residents and within a reasonable distance so that we can get together and ride.  Bob S and Meg will be gone for the summer wanderlusting around the northeast but I know they will be back after the summer ends.

It makes me proud to be part of such a wonderful inclusive group whose favorite past time is getting together and eating!  Dennis's wife and I got to chatting and I mentioned I might come back to NJ for a visit.  She very graciously offered to host the girls and I for part of that time.  That was certainly so kind and gracious of her to offer.  Maybe that means another trip back to NJ for some of the summer.  Too early to tell right now.

Bob's New Boat and the Clyde Butcher Exhibit on Marco Island

Wednesday February 3

Bob's ride in Marco was attended by Bruce and myself.  It's always nice to ride around Marco because of it's quiet roads and great scenery.   We rode 30 miles ( even though Bruce had to cut out early because of a tee time....what a life!) but it was busier than normal due to the farmer's market that happens each Wednesday.  Bob and I have decided to switch riding days with Monday's being in Marco Island and Wednesday being my ride leaving out of Naples Cyclery or another agreed up ride start location.  Look for that in March.

After the ride Bob showed me his new used boat.  It's a beauty.  Here are some photos.

 Bob the ride captain enjoying his boat

 A picture of the helm

and yes....even a porta potty!!


After seeing the boat Bob suggested that we go to the Marco Island museum.  The current exhibit features Clyde Butcher who takes photos of many of the national parks.  Right up my alley.

Here are some photos from the exhibit

This last photo was amazing.    A ghost orchid.

What was outside reminded me of the ox's found in NJ though Mercer County.

There are turtles all throughout Naples and the rest of Collier County.  You can find one in front of Bad Ass Coffee in the Third Street South shopping district of Naples.