Going Troppo

Wednesday, September 14, 2016
Key West Florida, Florida, United States
This entry is a compilation of our Florida leg of the journey. First up...

 1 . Key West

Richard:

We flew down from DC to Key West and spent the evening orienting ourselves. Not much to see except bars, restaurants, shirt shops and sunsets. 

Glad that we're only here for 2 nights. That seems to be just about the right length of time to visit here - one time. Been there, done that and didn't even have to buy another T-shirt. 

Carol:
 
It wasn't ME that said that so no one can blame the wingeing Pom (now I actually am one) for being Mme Negativity!

But seriously, this place, like so much of this country, has its own natural beauty and the houses and gardens are great. 

It's just that we're too old and too straight for this place -- and we haven't drunk the political Kool Aid.

Hotel snapshot
 
Oddly labelled B&B as more like a guest house, tiny room but pretty in its seasidy shell mirrored, white wickerwork and non-functional mosquito netted decor .

2. Naples

After a long drive through the Keys, wondering about the high cost of real estate in an increasingly waterlogged landscape but admiring the wetlands and wide open spaces, we arrived in even more upmarket Pelican Bay, Naples, FL.

Lovely beach accessed via cul de sacs every few blocks so not right on the road--very good. 

Super gorgeous and hugely expensive housing stock, now reaching 3 storeys, probably to minimise water damage from encroaching seas.

No village that we could find, but a series of lively mall precincts with bars, restaurants and a very wonderful Whole Foods supermarket. 

Happily arrived at happy hour for sesame tuna, crab cakes and martinis.

Hotel snapshot
 
Massively tasteful in a yellow and blue Florida-style palette, conservative, colonial style decor and very comfortable .

3. Tampa

A pleasant drive north to Clearwater Beach where we had lunch with Richard's old friend from school days -- Barbara -- and her husband John.

Then to the hotel in what used to be the Tampa courthouse. 

Drinks at the bar and then a leisurely stroll along the bay front with board walks and city sunset views. 

Tampa reminded us of Brisbane. Similar size, ambiance and public building stock, with both undergoing some imaginatively designed redevelopment.

The next morning we drove past Richard's old high school -- Hillsborough High -- a lovely and very well maintained site.

Then on to his parents' house in Caracas Ave which brought back many mixed memories for us both. 

 I could still visualise Dorothy, Richard's mother, standing at the door and his father, Bill, at the car port .

We were lucky to catch the 'new' owner at home -- his family has been there now for close to 40 years. The house is still lovingly cared for. Very good all round!

Hotel snapshot

Great redevelopment going with an industrial, loft-style decor. Black, grey, red, silver, granite and marble, high ceilings.

Very, very cool. I wouldn't want to live in it for long but totally admire the design.

4. St Augustine

This wasn't an overnight stay but an afternoon visit.

BUT-- a hugely important visit as Richard was able to meet his son Michael, who he hasn't seen since he was a baby. 

That makes 45 years so here's hoping another 45 years don't pass before the next meeting

As far as St Augustine the place goes -- it was very forgettable.

The meet-up -- quite the opposite.

5. New Smyrna Beach

Here we are staying in Richard's brother-in-law Jay's family condo for 4 days.

We remember coming here years ago when Virginia was still with us. We only stayed for the day but she and Virgil were wonderful hosts, as always.

This time the raison d'être for the stay was to spend some quality time with Richard's sister Debbie.
 
Sadly the rest of the family was up in North Carolina, helping the Schenck patriarch, Virgil, sort out the affairs of his late wife, Virginia, who passed away a few short months ago.

But we were happy that we were able to spend some time with Debbie and her daughter Rebecca, looking through the old photo albums and reminiscing .

As always, it was as if we'd seen each other only yesterday.

Condo Snapshot

A spacious, comfortable family beach retreat looking out over the silver grey rolling waves of the Atlantic.

This whole coastal strip seems to be a one endless stretch of gated condominium complexes, with some public access to the beach.

Still, even in horrible weather as we're having today, there are people braving the elements.

Now it's up to us to get our metaphorical skates on and hit those wet sands and feel some of that salty spray whip our faces.
 
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