Monday, July 28, 2008

A REAL Vacation

Normally at the end of a "vacation" or even a weekend away, Claire and I are so tired we can't wait to get back to P-Towne. See, we are the types of travellers that make you scratch your head and ask "You went WHERE and you did WHAT?".

Typically we run around for hours each day. Getting up early and staying up late.

We usually walk 8-10 miles in any given city, exploring every nook-and-cranny that we can find. We get on the plane back to VA and crash. We are normally very exhausted and are eager to get back home.

This week's South Florida trip was different. VERY different.

I flew down to Fort Lauderdale last Tuesday for a work conference. Claire joined me at 1am on Thursday night/Friday morning.

After my breakfast meeting on Friday (at 7AM...jerks), Claire and I put on the suits and headed down to the pool with books/newspapers and sunscreen in hand. We only got up at 1pm to grab lunch with some friends, then we headed back to the pool...at 7pm we went out to dinner on the boardwalk.

Saturday was the "busy" day, including an early breakfast at the local bakery, shopping on the Miracle Mile and some other fancy dancy mall, a visit to La Gloria Cubana cigar factory, walking around Little Havana (yes, with a cigar burning away), lunch in one of Claire's favorite restaurants, and dinner on the beach at the Art Deco area of Miami. This day included the purchase of way to many things, something neither she, nor I ever do. Linen pants, a shirt from "Pinks", a stone ashtray, a box of cigars, and vintage cigar boxes were in my haul and Claire pulled down some clothes on the Miracle Mile.

Sunday was back to the pool...Claire grabbed the choice spot at 730am while I drove to the bakery for croissants, muffins, and coffee. It was there that we sat, sweating and getting a fancy tan until it was time to pack up and leave.
I told Claire on the way to the airport, on the airplane and when we deplaned in Norfolk that I was not ready to be home and would have loved to stay down there a while longer.

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Here are some shots from the birthday weekend.
Here is the view from the room...Yes, the Westin hooked a brother up!



Claire and I on the way to dinner Friday night.

Dinner on the boardwalk was amazing!

On Saturday we found this cool little fountain...Claire loves fountains!

The La Gloria Cubana Factory. A little slice of heaven.

9 comments:

for a different kind of girl said...

You did get a nice little hook up! What a view! Glad you had such a great time. Hope you can get back there for some extended time soon.

WILLIAM said...

In that last pic...there is a reflection of some hot chick...did you notice that

Wonderful World of Weiners said...

Maybe your eyeballs are burning NOT from my blog today but from having too much fun on your REAL vacation!

Hallie

Rahul said...

Is that room at the Westin in the sky?

A floating room? Brilliant!

Katelin said...

aw looks like a great birthday weekend! glad you guys had so much fun. :)

kimmy said...

Looks like you had fun on your vacation!

We will be heading to Florida in April for a family vacation. It is a great place to go during the cold winter months!

Love the pool shots too!

Kimmy

Practically Joe said...

Poor kids ... You guys work so hard. Have yourselves a good rest.

♥♥♥ A- Licious ♥♥♥ said...

oh wow...how fun and nice!
i am with you - i would not have been ready to go!

sounds awesome!

Happy Belated Birthday to Claire!

you guys are such a pretty couple! (smile)

hugs n love...

a-licious
in da hizzzzzzzouse

Schell Family said...

Couple comments:

1. Amazing view - see there are perks to traveling so much!
2. Sounds super relaxing and I'm glad you had the chance to rest!
3. Lay off the cigars...!