South Beach: Part 1 of 3

- - - - from 8:00 PM on TUESDAY, MARCH 03 - - - - -

The train having come the entire way from New York City running almost two hours late, in the last three hours of the trip we made up nearly an hour.  We disembarked in Miami’s modest station at 8:00 PM, saying good-bye to our sleeping car attendant Rodney (“Like Rodney Dangerfield only a little funnier and a lot more alive.”) who did his job well and with humor.  

Collecting our bags we were in a cab and on our way to The Raleigh, arriving there about 8:45.  We checked in, dropped our bags in the room and joined my sister Connie and her husband Paul for a light supper.  Oh the joy of sitting outside in shirtsleeves at 9:00 at night.  

We retired for the good night’s sleep that had eluded us the previous night.

- - - - -  thru WEDNESDAY, MARCH 04 - - - - -

Looking out our hotel window and contrasting what we saw with what we had seen looking out our hotel room in Providence on Sunday evening put us in the right frame of mind for today's activities.

We started our day back out beside the pool having a leisurely breakfast.  

The four of us spent much of the day wandering around just taking in South Beach sites.  We were joined late in the day by David and Francis.  Her daughter Charlotte had recommended to Connie & Paul a restaurant called Barton G. Reservations having been made weeks ago, the six of us headed there to try it.

It was fun!

Bucket of Bones

Popcorn Shrimp

Bonsai Tuna

Pot Pies

- - - - -  until 8:00 PM on THURSDAY, MARCH 05 - - - - -

Another leisurely breakfast by the pool, then into cars to visit Vizcaya, the estate of James Deering who founded International Harvester which spawned John Deere. 

Photography inside the museum, which was his home, was not permitted.  There were some fascinating contents.  However, had I been Deering, the artistic director (Paul Chaflin) hired to give the house a 'harmonious theme' would have been at the bottom of Biscayne Bay.  One telegram I read suggested Deering might have been contemplating the same fate for Chaflin.  

Outdoors the house, the waterfront and gardens were impressive.  It must be the season for Sweet Sixteen parties.  We came across two young ladies in full attire having their picture taken.  It was amusing to watch.

What the mother of the girl in pink was threatening to do to the
girl’s cell phone if she did not stop texting was not very lady-like.

Back in the car, Paul proposed having lunch at The Biltmore Hotel in Coral Gables. Each year while on the Wooster College golf team, the team drove straight from Ohio to Florida to play in a tournament there.  While having lunch at the 19th Tee, Paul told us of his experiences and pointed out aspects of the course.  He is such a knowledgeable golfer it was fun and informative…and the food was good.

After lunch we drove through Miami and back over the causeway to Miami Beach.

We spent the rest of the afternoon relaxing by the pool.  

We had a great dinner at The Social Club although at first we were a bit skeptical about the place.