stepping off the edge

Here we are in Ft. Lauderdale visiting my son Chef Mikey. We found a home exchange in Wilton Manors. We were informed by our host Harvey that this was not only the first town in the US to have a gay Mayor and City Council but per capita has more LGBTQ+ citizens than anywhere in the world!

Now I will resist the temptation to put forward stereotypes a la Mitch McConnell but let me tell you, clean, manicured properties, virtually no crime, friendly people, great food and perhaps the best home exchange hosts we have ever encountered. To be honest we do not usually get to meet our HE hosts, but we were staying in the guest cottage next to the main house occupied by Harvey, his husband Bill and his ex partner Michael… not that there is anything wrong with that! Welcoming, warm, helpful and big fun. We hosted a BBQ with Mikey, his wife Tobi and Michael while Harvey and Bill were away for the weekend. The cottage was small and chock-full of objects d’art, lovely posters and drawings (the naked men subject matter did not faze me in the least being the oh so secure male that I am with a noticeable bent towards metro sexuality). The kitchen, on the other hand, was a challenge to cook in. No oven, no counters to speak of and occupying about 40 sq feet. No worries, breakfast was served outside in the nothing short of magical gardens. There were orchids everywhere, palm trees, the ever present lizards one of which was bright green and large. Never caught a picture of it but it gave Mrs. T a fright since it was a frequenter of the outdoor shower she liked to use. Here, a few garden pics…

Never ventured into the pool since it was 85 degrees outside but the water was at 91! We did take a kayak into the winding waterways of the town. I will now remind you of our famous sense of direction or lack thereof. I love to kayak but I do have a not so secret fear of getting lost on the water and having to paddle up to someone’s dock to ask embarrassing directions. Remember Florida, the stand your ground state? Yup, not doing that. Luckily it was almost impossible to get lost, since the frequent dead ends kept us on the right path. Well, almost impossible. We made it back to the rental dock safe and sound. I did secretly drop a pin on Google maps for the location of the rental dock, hoping it would direct me on the open water!

First night was Cubanos at Mikey’s house. Now I love a good Cuban sandwich but on this particular day we had stopped on the Florida Turnpike and I could not resist having one at the food court. Yes, there was a food court at this mega rest stop in the middle of the road. It also had fuel, charging and the usual rest stop bathrooms, showers and picnic grounds. Mental note, two Cuban sandwiches on the same day is one too many.

Good thing we purchased a Sun Pass transponder before we left Gainesville, since the only way to pay is with this or they take a picture of your plate and mail you a bill substantially more that just the toll. It would also have been awkward since we will not get home for some months and by then surely there would be late fees!

The second night there we were taken to a speakeasy by Mikey and Tobi. I thought it might be lame but it was really well done. Situated in one of the high rise hotels downtown, it occupied a guestroom with no markings whatever on the door. You made reservations and were given a secret password. Upon arrival you gave the password to the front desk and they gave you a room key. When we got up to the secret room we were greeted by a large man who checked our room key and ushered us into the dining area. Only six tables, only two seatings of 12 each night. It seems that this was the smallest and least desirable room in the hotel without an exterior view. No one ever wanted to stay in it so some big brain decided to turn it into a speakeasy!

The doorman / bartender / waiter pictured here bore a striking resemblance to detective Batista in Dexter! The food was great, the drinks way too generous for old One Drink Mike. Below the rock star Chef Mikey and his glamorous wife Tobi…

For the foodies, pictured here is lobster mac and cheese, grilled octopus, duck confit gnocchi, charcuterie plate, Wagyu steak sandwiches, and a couple of other dishes that old One Drink Mike will never remember.

It was a pretty whirlwind first week with dinner out every night in some of Mikey’s favorite spots. It was totally outdone by our second week spent at his hotel but that is for another post. As I write this we are stranded in Savanah due to minor car disasters… again, for a future post (that is called a hook).

Next stop the Florida Keys, just because they are there. I mean, how can you go this far in Florida and not take the time to venture out to the southern most spot in the US? I will also revel you with a pet peeve… toilet paper… gee, a car disaster and toilet paper… how can you possibly not be excited!