Andi and I woke up early (thanks T!) and packed our bags. Since our flight didn't depart until 6pm, we decided to spend our last day of vacation in Miami. We'd both been there a few times before, but mostly traveling through. Andi scoped out a few spots and we hit the road.
It goes without saying, we were dreading the 1 1/2 hour drive from Duck Key to Miami, but Tory was awesome during our drive! Could we have finally broken her of the car seat curse? The fact that she suddenly decided to take a pacifier really helped buy us some peace and quiet in the car ... even though I had to sit back there and plug it into her mouth every six seconds. Andi's work was quickly exploding back home anyway and he spent most of the drive on the phone. I had planned a riveting conversation with him, but since he was distracted with work I spent my time talking with Tory instead. I guess now he'll never know what an awesome conversationalist I am.
Our first stop in Miami was Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, an Italian renaissance-style villa built in the early 1900's. We rented an audio book to listen and learn while we toured the gardens (a tip we picked up after visiting countless museums in Europe and having no idea what we were actually looking at). Andi listened to the audio book and conveyed the highlights to me as I handled Tory. He began to tell me John Deere (of the tractor fortune) built the place which sounded a little off. A guy who sells farm equipment was really interested in Italian architecture? But then he quickly changed his tune and corrected himself by declaring it was actually John Deering who constructed the grand structure and gardens. I guess Andi deserves a blond moment after mine the day before. I literally thought a car was driving down the highway with no one in it (upon second glance I realized the car was being pulled by a motor home). Whoops! Anyway, the gardens were beautiful ...
After Vizcaya, we decided to grab some lunch to-go and find a park somewhere to have a picnic. We drove to Key Biscayne and basically pulled into the first restaurant that sounded good. Tory wasn't crying in her car seat, but we didn't want to push our luck by drawing out the process. Andi ran into a Old Heidelberg's Deli to grab us some sandwiches. Whenever he runs into places while Tory and I wait in the car, I swear he's trying to torment me. I'm stuck in tight quarters trying to entertain a baby who hates her car seat, while he's taking his sweet time in said establishment (at this particular moment, the deli). Andi came out 15 minutes later (or 70 gazillion, whatever) with two sandwiches, two bags of chips and two Zico waters. "Dude, what the heck took so long?" I asked. Apparently, it was a German deli and the workers didn't speak English. All Andi could make out was schnitzel. The German deli didn't sell chips and only offered German sodas (and knowing his wife Andi knew he'd be dead meat returning to the car with sandwiches and no chips) so he ran to the juice store next door to find some. The juicer was broken so that's how he ended up with some chips and Zico's. "Fine," I said. "You get a pass this time."
We drove to a nearby beach and ate our German sandwiches (which were actually really good, by the way. No idea what we ate, but that's part of the adventure). It started to rain a little, so we hopped back into the car and headed for Miami Beach. This was actually one of the best things we did on the trip. Miami Beach is just as you'd imagine; like stepping into an episode of Miami Vice. Lots of faded pink and turquoise buildings, restaurants and shops galore and people everywhere. Definitely one of those places you have to check out in your lifetime. Next time it'd be nice to have a drink at one of the famous restaurants or stay in one of the fancy hotels ... next time, maybe, without a little one in tow.
Overall, our trip to the Florida Keys was a relaxing one. It was the longest concentrated time the three of us have spent together since Tory was born, and it was awesome to see Andi and Tory get to know each other better. Tory was an excellent traveler to and from Miami, never crying once at the airport or on the plane. I think she's a born explorer, just like her dad, and we're already dreaming of our next big adventure together.
So jealous of all of it... your time away from the cold and snow and being able to hang out with your new family of three. I'm glad Tory finally embraced the car seat - hopefully that will continue for you guys! Love all the pics, it looks so gorgeous.
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