Dec 12 to 15 - hanging out in Dinner Key south of Miami

Fri Dec 12

Spending the month of Dec in Dinner Key on Biscayne Bay

Every morning at 9am we turn on the VHF radio to Channel 69 and listen to The Dinner Key Cruiser's Net.  There is a moderator and we can participate in the conversation.  The net provides info on local events, helps cruisers find tools to borrow and help with boat problems. One day we helped a young live aboard guy fix a flag stuck on his mast. Turns out he had a car, and he took Bob out for a propane tank refill.  Cruisers helping cruisers is a big thing.  Prepping for our visit with Lee and Brit today (grocery run, clean bathroom, vacuum boat, etc) but did squeeze in a bike ride. Also rode the Coconut Grove Circulator bus for 25 cents around town. Lee and Brit arrived late Fri night.  So excited to see them!

Sat Dec 13

Atoll right behind us with Biscayne Bay beyond the Palm trees

With Lee and Brit along on borrowed bikes, we took a 15 mile bike ride to Matthson Hammock Park. We followed a nice bike trail through banyon trees and ended up in a county park with a natural atoll pool.

Banyan roots laced into coral wall - cool!

Next we motored our boat over to Bell Island off Miami Beach.  We dinghied up a canal under car overpasses to a dinghy dock.

L to R - Lee, Bob, Brit, Carol - had to duck at high tide!

Looks a little like Amsterdam...

From there we walked to see a symphony on a "wall cast".  New World Symphony is a school here to prepare students to perform in symphony orchestras. The concert inside was sold out, but they have an outdoor park where they show the concert live on a huge wall  (70 feet high by 100 feet long) complete with a great sound system.  Better than a drive in movie! We listened to Beethovan's Fifth and some other great music while picnicking.

Live Wallcast, complete with close ups, very cool!

Sun Dec 14
Lee and Brit wanted some beach time, so we headed back into Miami Beach and walked down to South Beach.   Brit and I felt a little out of place as we didn't have thong bikinis like most of the other girls. Beautiful day on the beach!

Lee and Brit enjoying South Beach Miami

 


We spent some time sunbathing, then walked up Lincoln Ave for lunch at an outdoor cafe and people watched.  Wow! People really dress up here!  Went for a swim

and then Lee took the helm through Miami and we headed back to our marina in Coconut Grove.

Grilled out and were all asleep by 8:30.

Mon Dec 15
Today was calm and sunny and warm, so we rented a car and headed for Key Largo with cruising friends David and Cherie LaPenta. Took the snorkel boat out of John Pennekamp Park. Enjoyed the reef and fish- lots of barracuda, parrotfish, triggers, rays, and bummer, some Moon jellyfish too.

Lee and Brit enjoying the beautiful day

Another day in paradise

We wore our wetsuits.  Stopped at an outdoor grill, Alabama Jacks, on the way home for some seafood and island music. Then it was time to say goodbye to Lee and Brit. So great to hang out with them for a few days! It went so fast!

Tues Dec 16
We are flying home for the holidays tomorrow, so we spent the day securing the boat and packing up.
Will return to Coconut Grove Dec 29. We are so excited to get home and visit with family and friends!