Florida 2013 - Part 2

After lobstering in the Keys, my family spent the rest of our vacation in Miami. On Sunday my grandfather took us for a boat ride around the bay. We went by the ruins of our favorite restaurant, Shuckers, so I could see it with my own eyes and begin my healing process. The deck collapsed in June during a Miami Heat game, and there's no word on when or if it might reopen.

   

Our usual table was near the sea grape tree on the right. Sad times!

We've spent many afternoons at the sandbar in North Biscayne Bay. It was mobbed. I tried to imagine going to church on a Sunday morning, then, instead of going to lunch, inviting my friends to join me at the sandbar for some fried chicken and margaritas on the boat. What a life!

 

Later, my mom and I drove by our old house and my old elementary school! I had forgotten that they chose the tiger as our mascot in my last year there. Obviously being a Tiger has always been my destiny. :)

 

My mom discovered on this trip that her high school has been torn down! They built a new (huge) one across the street. This frog pond and empty field are all that remains. As we drove away, she mused, "Well, Dad did tell me a few times that they were going to tear it down... I guess I didn't want to hear it." LOL.

On our last morning, we went to the nearest beach, but couldn't swim because there were moon jellyfish everywhere. They migrate from August to October - this was never a problem when we used to visit in July. Some people were swimming and appeared fine, but as much as I wanted to get in the water, I just couldn't do it. The same thing has happened out on the reef. I tell myself, "So I might get stung! It won't be that bad!" Then once I'm surrounded by jellies, I practically have a panic attack. My dad insists that these are very mild, but I was stung by a box jellyfish a few years ago, so it's hard to overcome my sense of self-preservation. Eventually I'll run into one of these accidentally, and then they won't scare me anymore.

Here's a semi-panorama of the Haulover Cut. My uncle famously jumped into the fast-moving water from the bridge on a dare when he was in high school. Don't try this, kids.

Even though I love Memphis and have lived here for most of my life now, Florida will always be equally my home. I've finally embraced my dual citizenship and feel blessed to belong in two wonderful places - which have more in common than you'd think (this might be worth a post of its own). Miami is my roots, and Memphis is my branches.