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An American Adventure

May - June 2019
A coast to coast trip across the USA. Read more
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  • Robert FyfeAn American Adventure
    1
    Day 24

    Moon Over Miami

    June 14, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 31 °C

    Campbell just about recovered from the emotional impact of Walt Disney World - not any of the usual roller coaster rides mind you, but Frozen, the Little Mermaid and the Three Caballeros. At Epcot’s American Adventure (named after my blog!) I fell asleep and woke up to Mark Twain and Benjamin Franklin atop the Statue of Liberty imploring America to ‘spread her golden wings’, while Campbell sobbed uncontrollably beside me!

    Used Campbell’s new toy - his Uber app - to get back to the airport where I hired a car for the next part of the American Adventure - a drive around Florida. The car was a nice Nissan Subaru which sped us down to Miami Beach. Spent two nights at the 1940s San Juan Hotel in fashionable South Beach. We felt just like Betty Grable and Don Ameche in ‘Moon Over Miami’ (not sure who was who).

    We did a bus tour of Miami over the causeway, admiring the gleaming skyscrapers, visiting Little Havana with its cigar shops and old men playing dominoes. What a lovely city it is - much nicer than I expected - seen too much Miami Vice!

    By this time I wanted to ‘feel some sun on my face’ like Sugar Kane (happy memories of ‘Sugar’). The hotel provided a beach bag and towels and we headed to the beautiful white sands of Miami Beach where we were provided with complimentary beds and umbrella. I enjoyed a swim in the warm waters of the Atlantic Ocean, undeterred by the suspected shark attack we witnessed the night before, but 5 minutes later an almighty thunderstorm and torrential rain cleared the beach - I mean we can get this at home!

    We took the complimentary trolley to the famous Art Deco District of South Beach, stopping for a photo opportunity outside Gianni Versace’s villa on Ocean Drive where he was assassinated on the front steps. The pastel colours of the Art Deco hotels did not look quite as glamorous in the pouring rain.

    After dinner we took the free trolley back, during which an over-excited African-American woman went round asking where everyone was from: ‘We got Scatland in da house!’ she shrieked. ‘Am gonna do a little twerking jus fo yo’. And twerking she did - see photo!

    At night we took a drive to the huge Broward Center for the Performing Arts in Fort Lauderdale to see the professional tour of the musical A Bronx Tale. Thoroughly enjoyed the show which neither of us had seen before. Another full day...    Read more

  • Robert FyfeAn American Adventure
    Day 26

    The Wetlands - Literally

    June 16, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    After another lovely breakfast by the pool, we departed Miami and headed to Florida’s 1.5 million acre wetlands preserve - the Everglades. En route along the long state highway I had to brake to avoid a fat alligator 🐊 trying to cross the road. After that, Campbell was reluctant to get out of the car.

    On arrival at the metropolis of Everglades City (population 416), we decided to take one the many Air Boat tours across the mangroves and marshes. ‘I wouldn’t sit in front of the boat unless you want to get a little wet’ warned the lady behind us knowingly. ‘We’re from Scotland’ we reassured her. We took off at a hair raising speed, and 5 minutes later the heavens opened and we were caught in a torrential downpour for the rest of the trip. Still we had fun and saw a few alligators on the way. By the time we got off we were absolutely soaked to the skin, including the lady behind us, and had to use the hair dryer in our motel to dry out our soggy dollar bills.

    Had a nice dinner at the Island Cafe next door with a friendly atmosphere and real country cooking - hard to believe we were only 2 hours from Miami but in a completely different world.    Read more

  • Robert FyfeAn American Adventure
    1
    Day 27

    Key West

    June 17, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Headed south on US 1 to the Florida Keys. Unfortunately the bad weather followed us and we faced torrential rain most of the way down to Key West. Checked in at the lovely Hilton Garden Inn and took their free shuttle to the main downtown area. The weather cleared and we had a lovely walk around, passing Hemingway’s house, and the Southernmost marker of Continental USA. At the Zero mile marker at the start of highway US 1 a hen party asked us to take their photo with them all jumping. They then insisted we did the same!

    Had good fun at Club Aqua, one of the many drag shows in town. Some good ideas for panto costumes.    Read more

  • Robert FyfeAn American Adventure
    Day 29

    Naples - Clearwater - St Augustine

    June 19, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 27 °C

    Managed to get to the 7 Mile Bridge over the Keys before another heavy thunderstorm hit us and followed us most of the way. Still, we enjoyed the country music on the way. As we arrived at Naples on the Gulf of Mexico coast, the weather cleared and we had a lovely walk around this beautiful city. It is very clean and upmarket with classy designer shops and fine restaurants. The homes lining the palm tree 🌴 avenues were gorgeous, and the area has been referred to as the Palm Springs of Florida. I remembered being here with Mags - can it really have been 34 years ago? - and we loved it then too. It really has to be one of the most attractive cities in Florida. Had a lovely walk along the old pier and saw a young fisherman catch a hammerhead shark, to the great excitement of onlookers, which he released back into the ocean.

    Next day we headed north up the Gulf Coast and arrived at our next destination - Clearwater Beach. Another beautiful place. Today was hot and sunny and so we headed to the lovely white sandy beach. Although it was busy, there was plenty of space for everyone. I have to say though, with all the tanned, svelte bodies around, we looked a bit like Bette and Joan in the final beach scene of Whatever Happened to Baby Jane. Another lovely evening walk and another busy pier, this time lined with stalls selling arts and crafts.

    Regrettably the sunshine didn’t last, as we left the Gulf Coast. We stopped for breakfast at a traditional American diner, complete with wisecracking waitress. The diner was located adjacent to a Dinner Theatre, a Lutheran Church and the County Courthouse. A middle aged couple in the booth next to us were having a heated discussion, presumably prior to their divorce hearing in the Court next door. ‘The bed may be yours, but I goddam paid for that sofa and you ain’t having that!’ declared the lady, as they exited the diner into their separate cars.

    Next stop was an overnight at America’s oldest city - St Augustine. Although very touristy, it was an attractive town to walk around in, and the main historic area was pedestrianised and easy to get about. We particularly liked the beautiful former Ponce de Leon Hotel, now Flagler College, built by industrialist Henry Flagler, a key figure in the development of the Atlantic Coast of Florida.

    Looking forward to catching up with Sadie and family tomorrow!    Read more

  • Robert FyfeAn American Adventure
    Day 33

    Georgia on my mind

    June 23, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 24 °C

    After our busy tour around Florida, Campbell and I were relieved to arrive in Kingsland, Georgia to spend 3 days with my sister Sadie and her husband Bill. They made us feel really welcome, although we seemed to go from one meal to another. They have a beautiful home looking on to a small lake with a variety of wildlife. My niece Lorna and her partner Jeff came round with my great niece Teagan - it was great to see them all. Teagan is a lovely girl who seems content to entertain herself with her toys, although she didn’t seem too pleased that Teagan’s room had been taken over by two strange men..

    Had a trip to picturesque Fernandina, but it was too hot to stay on the beach. After our day to Charleston we spent our last morning visiting nearby historic St Mary’s. Again it was boiling hot - 100 degrees at one point - so it was always nice to get into an air conditioned store.

    Just before we left for Orlando airport we got a message that our scheduled flight to Glasgow was cancelled until tomorrow! However Thomas Cook came up trumps and booked us into a beautiful 4 star resort hotel - Rosen Shingle Creek - where we had a lovely room with a terrific view with dinner and breakfast included. The hotel was full of Glasgow families from the same cancelled flight. Dinner was a sumptuous buffet with everything you could wish for from seafood to roast beef. ‘There’s nae chips’ however complained a spotty Glaswegian ned.

    ‘I’ll have some o’ that soup’ declared a heavy female tourist from Ayrshire. ‘Well just come right over and help yourself, ma’am’ said the waiter cheerily. ‘Ye mean ah‘ve tae serve masel? Ah thought this wiz a 4 star!’ ‘Yes, ma’am and this is our self service restaurant.’ ‘And where’s the breed?’ she continued. ‘Can I offer you some oyster croutons or saltine crackers, ma’am?’ ‘Naw, ye cannae- I need some breed tae dip in my soup.’ With the ‘breed’ duly provided, the lady commented on the size of the soup bowls. ‘We’ll jist need tae come back twice, Mary’ she announced to her friend. You can take the girl out of Glasgow...    Read more

  • Robert FyfeAn American Adventure
    Day 33

    Charming Charleston

    June 23, 2019 in the United States ⋅ ⛅ 29 °C

    Took the chance when Bill was going to Charleston, South Carolina for a Navy Veteran’s Medical to take a ride with him and Sadie. Although it was s long drive, we had a good laugh and catch up on the way, and Sadie and I even won on our lottery scratch cards.

    Charleston really is a lovely city, steeped in history. Although it was very hot, we enjoyed a two hour walking tour, taking in most of the historic old town including the Market, Rainbow Row and the Old Slave Market. We bumped into some sailors from a French ship docked in port, and Bill impressed them with his school French. We admired some of the beautiful antibellum mansions along the Battery at the end of our all too brief visit.    Read more

  • Robert FyfeAn American Adventure
    Day 34

    Home Sweet Home

    June 24, 2019 in Scotland ⋅ 🌧 13 °C

    Well, what a trip - like three holidays rolled into one - crossing the mighty USA (and back) by train; touring Florida with Campbell, and visiting Sadie and family in Georgia.

    Arrived home just in time for the Royal Garden Party at Holyrood, and a visit to Rhyl to see my Fairy Godmother at her caravan.

    An epic adventure - I wonder where next year will take me...    Read more

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