Sunday, March 23, 2014

Dinner Key, Coconut Grove, Florida

  We returned March 14 to find the job of installing the new holding tank was successful and well done except for one split trim piece that Drew has ordered from the Island Packet factory to replace.  We drove down after visiting Sarah, Dillon, AJ, Tate and Violet in New York.  We took the Sky Line drive down south - incredibly beautiful and good understanding of the geography of the area.  We got on in Front Royal and off 100 miles later.  Again we drove straight to Miami rather than stop on the way.
  Amy, Drew's daughter, and Mike are here visiting away from the cold of Iowa City. We've already walked Fort Lauderdale Beach, gone Go Karting in Miami, played mini golf, tried the local Cuban restaurant that is delicious (love that Cafe Cubano), at Amigo Market, visited the local farmer's market,
and hung out on the boat.
  We'll be here until the end of March and then maybe, just maybe try to go to Marathon Key.  I am skeptical about the sailing as we have done so, so little on this sojourn.  Either too shallow, in the ICW, no wind, or too much wind.
  I visited the Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden in Coral Gables about 15 minutes away.  I highly recommend it - with the best run place, learned so much, everything marked, interesting, sculptures, conservatory, butterfly garden, fantastic store, and lots of golf carts if you don't want to walk the 83 acres.  My problem is not enough exercise.