We have been in Miami for a couple of weeks now and have been having a great time. This post is about some 'nuts and bolts' of a Miami visit - particularly by boat.
We are staying on a mooring at Coconut Grove Sailing Club where we have stayed many times before - a great place right in the heart of Coconut Grove . A few years ago when we starting coming here, they had a number of open moorings which were available for transients on a first-come-first-served basis. Although not guaranteed, there was a reasonable chance you would get a mooring. Now with the improving economy, all their moorings are leased on a long-term basis (with a waiting list). Mooring balls are available to transients on a limited basis only when the regular boat is away (on trip or in the yard). We feel very lucky that we got one this year, and know that the chances of getting one in the future are much slimmer than in past. This will certainly change our Miami adventures!
Although we usually rent a car for a few days to do our major shopping, we primarily rely on the great public transit in Miami. The buses, MetroRail and downtown MetroMover can get you just about anywhere you want to go at a reasonable price. In Coconut Grove the 'Circulator' (249) can take you around the Grove and to the Coconut Grove or Douglas Road Metro stations. The basic fare is $0.25. The Metro train can take you south to the University or north to downtown Miami or the airport and further north. For the first time we 'graduated' to an 'Easy Card' and a week's pass. Although I am not sure we save a lot of money on the pass, it is very convenient and we find we take trips that we might not take otherwise.
We shop at the Publix on 27th Ave. A 'Fresh Market' is within walking distance of Dinner Key, but it is very expensive and does not have the selection of a Publix. Note, however, that there is not a lot of English spoken here - it is primarily a Spanish-customer store - but that adds to the adventure!
Coconut Grove is home to arguably the 'best hardware store anywhere' - Shell Lumber. When my cousin first started raving about this store I was skeptical, but experience has shown that it is a great store. They have everything, and with quality and selection way beyond the big-box stores or most hardware stores. Check it out if you are in town.
We do our laundry at Mary's Laundromat and Cafe also on 27th avenue. Also not a lot of English spoken here, but many machines in relatively good repair and a Cuban cafe on site. So you can clean your clothes, eat a Cuban sandwich or a Media Noche, and sip you Cafe Con Leche in one stop - how can you beat that!
Today I tried to order a Cafe Americano (American Coffee) at Mary's with only partial success. The server spoke almost no English and I speak limited Spanish and she had to ask another server how to make it. Moral of the story- stick to Cafe Cubanos!
We usually try to top off our propane in Miami before we leave the States. We have found that propane is one of the hardest things to get in the Bahamas. We go to Home Gas, also on upper 27th Avenue. Jesus always cheerfully fills my tank, although he often chuckles good-naturedly when it is a partial tank fill; kind of "stupid guy - why don't you run it dry before you pay for a fill". I try to explain the situation, but I think I fail to adequately communicate my reasoning.
Tom
Moored Coconut Grove (Miami)
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