Its summer time, puffy clouds that tend to turn thundery, flat waters, crystal clear and hot to the touch...
.............inland from the park, the causeway that supports Highway One offers a bed for one of my favorite plants: the seagrape. Their fruit isn't at all bad either, if you can get to the ripe grapes before the birds swoop down and clear the bushes.
Money Key, a mangrove-covered spoil island just south of the 7-mile bridge is cute froma distance. Up close its a mosquito infested pile of sand and rocks, debris piled up b y Flagler's engineers when they built the seven-mile bridge just to the north.So, back to the theme:
Yes well glad to be home and rested by a few nights at work, so it was past time to head out on the Vespa and check out some of my favorite spots around the islands. It takes a bit to find back streets in these narrow roadways but I've found a few over the years.
The weekly "Solares Hill" runs a summer time feature called "Places we Love" which makes me think I know more than I know, because they feature places I've found on my own. I've also found quiet corners never before published. In case you are wondering this place isn't a secret.
Veterans Park is no hideaway, unless you are heading south off the end of the Seven Mile bridge oblivious to all around you, because there it is, large as life for all tourists to see. Those that are dawdling and looking around will spot this little spot and feel encouraged to stop. I like the shady tables under trees, a breezy place to read and think and snap a picture or two. If one is energetic there is a smidgeon of a beach, swimmable at higher tides. Also you get a nice view north, the seven-mile bridge to Marathon, and to the south the open waters of the Florida Straits. I just love the sparkle on those waters, so call me a tourist too, even though I live here!
My european trip was memorable and deserves a mention, but I was glad to get home, 96 degrees and all.
