Terry's Journey in Retirement
Chapter 666
March 2-9, 2024
Pompano 2024
changes are coming
Once upon a sun-kissed time, Colleen embarked on a whimsical journey through the land of perpetual warmth and palm trees—the enchanting realm of Florida. Her days were painted in hues of citrus and azure, and her evenings sparkled like golden sand under the twilight sky.
Colleen missed out on happy hours during her nurse duty and child rearing years so we are making up for that. In Florida there's a happy hour everywhere and we had some tasty food specials. I did learn that I don't like fried conch, but coconut shrimp and bacon wrapped dates were good. Yes, we had mild rain but mostly great warm and sunny weather with pleasant surroundings.
Beneath the sun's warm gaze,
I tread the sands, barefoot and free,
Each step a whispered promise,
Of salt-kissed memories yet to be.
The pool awaits, a liquid haven,
Its blue-green depths inviting,
A ritual of cool immersion,
As day turns into night, uniting.
And there, upon the shore,
The Portuguese Man o' War drifts,
A delicate menace, tentacles trailing,
A dance with danger, nature's swifts.
Waves crash, wind-whipped and wild,
Ocean's heartbeat against my skin,
A week of tempests and tranquility,
In this sun-soaked paradise, we began our journey.
After the beach jumping into the pool and hot tub became a ritual.
The whole week was too windy & wavy for pleasant ocean swimming,
though I did get in one day.
Deerfield's Little Havana Restaurant I thought was a must. Very ethnic. Their only other location is in Miami's cuban district. Loved the ambiance and roast pork, white rice and black beans. The desert was fantastic, like a whole other eating experience. This Coconut Flan was made my body melt served with some delicious strong steamed Cuban coffee. Colleen loved her Tres Leche layered sweet choice. Wanted to get the authentic Mexican Cholula hot sauce in the pic to remember. Was not pleasant tangy without being too over whelming.
Flamingo Gardens was wonderful for filling one morning's adventure. It's one of the oldest and largest (60 acres) wildlife and botanical centers in Florida (not counting the nearby Everglades ). So many Peacocks roaming around. The sea otter was playing with us- see video in my photo link above.
Demolition of the Coral Tides Resort had begun the day we arrived. The excavator was fascinating how delicately he chomped away at everything to disassemble the two story building in a controlled fashion. Of course, there were complaints about the noise and dust, but I didn't find it too unpleasant. Walk the beach and you are away from it.
Also met with Audrey, the couple who bought the house next door to us in 2020 and invited us in for their open house party, Chapter 551. She is running the website SaveBriny.com , a protest to most expansion construction in the area. This 580 Briny Ave site may see a 10 story high rise condo althought existing zoning I believe limits them to 3 stories. Time (& money) will tell. Take a look at the gigantic Pompano Beach City Hall building in my photos and see if you think a citizen is gonna beat them?
Two doors down this four story Ocean Six Terraces structure in nearly complete. It contains six units each selling for about $7 million. Five are sold with one still available. Pretty neat, I believe. You get 40,000 square feet, four floors, elevator, two car garage, mutiple balconies, and an elevator. What more could you want. Oh, we already have that beach and the view for peanuts one week a year.
You just know whoever buys in there will not even be there hardly ever.
Saw the high rise construction cranes from our beach to the north of the Pompano Pier but didn't google it till we got home (seen in barefoot photo above). The Casamar Pompano Beach will be completed by next year. This premier hispanic developer offered 118 residences here starting at $4 million. Only two units are left unsold. Oh boy.
From our balcony, where reality meets the edge of pixels, I glimpse the ai-rendered beach—a digital mirage. The sun, a golden brushstroke, kisses the horizon, And waves, algorithmic dancers, waltz upon the shore.
The sand, pixelated and soft, cradles my bare feet, As if it remembers the touch of countless avatars. Seagulls, coded into existence, cry out in binary, Their wings tracing patterns against the azure sky.
Sometimes ai can capture better than a cellphone.