Miami Trip!
This past weekend I traveled with Ricky to Miami! He purchased flight tickets as a birthday gift for me last month. I felt like a child counting down the days until Christmas! I was excited to get away from the daily grind for a bit.
We found a flight for a terrific round trip price through Spirit Airlines. If you google Spirit Airlines, it seems like everyone is hating on them. I was definitely worried and tried to keep the review reading to a minimum so that I wouldn't expect the worst! People complained about all of these "hidden" fees, but, if you go to their website, they clearly state that all you are paying for is literally your seat on the plane. If you need anything extra, like a carry on bag, checked luggage, refreshments during the flight, etc., it will cost more. I came prepared with Cheez-Its and cocoa covered almonds for my snacks in hopes to avoid the crazy food prices at the airport. With Spirit Airlines, you are allowed a 16" 14" 12" bag at no extra cost. So, basically a purse or backpack will do. Ricky and I ended up paying for a check on suitcase and sharing the space in it.
I (weirdly) was patted down on my right ankle passing through security and then when returning from FL, they patted down my back? So weird! I never had that happen before. Oh well, at least they were quick and not intrusive about anything!
I honestly didn't have any real qualms regarding my flight with them other than it is verrry cramped in the cabin. Even being 5' 2", I felt smushed! I was expecting that though, as they are very upfront about it on their website. The flight to Miami was around 2 1/2 hours, so the slight discomfort I had didn't last too long! The staff was pretty nice and they made some corny jokes on the intercom which nobody else really laughed at besides me - "Attention passengers, if anyone would like to leave behind any possessions, boyfriends, children, spouses, feel free to do so, otherwise do not forgot to check around your seat as you exit the plane."
We flew out of Latrobe Airport in PA, aka the Arnold Palmer Regional Airport. It is literally the teeniest airport I've ever been to! I was lucky enough to have the window seat (my favorite!) both to and from Florida. I hadn't been on a plane since 2010, so I was super excited to fly again! I will never take flying for granted. I think it is one of the most amazing things to be soaring through the sky, don't you?
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| About to land in Fort Lauderdale around 7:30 pm, April 8, 2016. |
One of my closest friends from college, Molly, is studying in Miami. She was nice enough to let us crash at her place for the weekend! It was great to have someone show us around Miami - it's such a big, bustling place!
We left Latrobe in 35 degree weather and arrived in 75 degree Florida weather coupled with what felt like 100% humidity. I came prepared with a light tank top underneath my Marshall hoodie and quickly shed the extra layer as soon as we stepped off the plane. Ah, warm weather is my favorite!
Molly and her fiancé, Craig, picked us up at the Fort Lauderdale airport. Right away I realized that Miami drivers are kind of crazy! You have no choice but to be aggressive if you want to get anywhere. People are constantly honking and everyone is going way above the speed limit. Oh, and don't even think about getting over in that lane because nobody will let you in!
Craig and Molly took us to the Rusty Pelican for (a very late) dinner! This restaurant is a very poppin' place and even with a reservation, we ended up waiting about a half hour. That, coupled with lots of traffic, made dinner around 9:30. But, ohhhh, was it worth it! You can see the beautiful Miami skyline while you enjoy a tasty meal and romantic atmosphere.
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| Lamb shank with goat cheese mashed potatoes! |
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View from the Rusty Pelican
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| Panther Coffee |
Did I say how amazing it felt to wear a sundress for the first time in months?! The weather was pretty perfect being in the high 70s/low 80s most of the time we were visiting. Every day leading up to the trip I would send Molly a message on Snapchat of the grey Morgantown sky with the weather filter, usually in the 30s, and she would send me a message back of a beautiful, cloudless sky with the weather filter around 80 degrees. It just made me anticipate the trip even more!
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On the way to Coconut Grove
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Molly took us to Panther Coffee in Coconut Grove. It had a really chill atmosphere and had delicious drinks! I was super excited to try their iced coffee. Anyone who knows me knows that it's my favorite! Their Cold Brew recipe had hints of chocolate and cherries!
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Creamy, iced cold brew!
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While sipping our delicious iced coffee, we walked through Barnacle Park and admired the beautiful scenery!
Walked around Little Havana for a bit! Thank goodness I took Spanish all throughout high school and some in college! :D
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Fried, sweet plantains in Little Havana
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Ricky and I wandered around for a couple hours while Molly had to work! We found the Burger and Beer Joint at Mary Brickell Village and had some lunch.
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| Burger and Beer Joint |
Ugh, so yummy.
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| I love you, food |
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I'm happiest with food in front of my face
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We headed out to Wynwood later that day after a failed attempt to get to South Beach because the traffic was terrible. Wynwood has awesome graffiti walls literally everywhere you turn!
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| Wynwood |
We visited a pretty awesome thrift shop called Give Good Works while we were in Wynwood! So much neat stuff!
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| Thriftin' |
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| Craig! |
We made our way over to Wynwood Walls where there were huge displays of beautiful paintings, sculptures, and a few art exhibits as well.
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| :) |
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| :) Yes, it does. |
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| Tons of gorgeous painted walls! |
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| So many details! |
For dinner, we stopped at the Butcher Shop - Restaurant and Beer Garden.
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| Candid I took of Molly and Craig! |
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| Although the Butcher Shop had some awesome meat selections, I went with a tasty salad! |
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| J. Wakefield Brewery |
We strolled around Wynwood a bit more, stopping in some neat shops here and there. Eventually we came across the J. Wakefield Brewery. We were greeted by a huge painting of Darth Vader on the right side of the entrance walls and a DJ jamming from a 70s-esque van. On the opposite side of the wall pictured above are painted scenes from Star Wars. Why didn't I take a picture?! I've been a Star Wars fan since I was very little, so I thought it was cool!
Molly and I went to Wall's Old Fashioned Ice Cream Parlor where I scarfed down some mint chocolate chip. This shop plays old cartoons like Tom and Jerry on an inside and outside TV. So cute!
On Sunday, we finally were able to go to South Beach!
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| So blue! |
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| Swim top by Aerie, high waisted shorts by American Eagle |
I definitely underestimated the Florida sun and got a teensy bit burned. Okay, a lot bit burned...
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| Yellow blooms that were all around! |
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Lunch at a lovely Italian restaurant!
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After a couple hours on the warm beach and eating a carb filled lunch, we were feeling pretty sleepy, so we found the Shepherd Artisan Coffee shop and got a quick pick-me-up.
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| Shepherd Artisan Coffee Shop |
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| Hazelnut iced coffee with cream! |
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| Ricky's Espresso |
And so concludes my little weekend vacation to Miami. Special thanks to my iPhone for capturing the trip. Is it time to go back yet?
-A
