South Beach Interlude

Quintessential South Beach

We remained in Key Largo only about 24 hours after our initial arrival before engaging a one-way rental car  to Orlando so we could retrieve our own that had been waiting patiently since a couple of days before our departure from St. Augustine.  Having a vehicle makes cruising so much easier: no worries about provisioning, expanded opportunities to sightsee beyond the distance limits of the dinghy, and the means to take side trips along the way.

We did the last almost immediately as our good friends Shirley and Wayne invited us to “stop by” South Beach on our way back to Key Largo in the car.  They were there for a book fair and had the use of their daughter’s time share apartment, right on Ocean Boulevard!!  We accepted without hesitation as South Beach is one of those intriguing places we would not likely venture into on our own!  And what a fun time it was!!

The ocean from Ocean Blvd.

After some delay due to missed turns in the crowded, narrow streets at the beach, we arrived just in time for  wine,  cheese, gentle conversation and arial sightseeing on the rooftop deck (hot tub included) of the condo.  Thus fortified, our South Beach adventure began in earnest when the four of us ventured out just as the sun was setting.  Everything we’ve ever heard about South Beach presented itself  as Wayne and Shirley guided us down Ocean Blvd. and  around to the various famous, infamous, and reputedly “hot spots” of the neighborhood.  All kinds of people in all kinds of outfits, doing all kinds of things, in all kind of languages!!  Our guides had taken an Art Deco street tour the day before, and we reaped the benefits of everything they had learned!  In addition to all the “see and be seen” wildness that is South Beach, the area is also a virtual treasure trove of Art Deco architecture,  neon and vintage cars-  everywhere one looked!  It was fantastic!!

Wanna a ride!!

By necessity, the visit came to an end the next morning and we headed back to the calm of Key Largo, but we took with us fun memories of our South Beach adventure and many pictures as well.  We hope you enjoy them too!