This year the girls decided for us that they were going to meet in Miami. Luckily we have the plane and while the weather in general was frightful, Florida enjoyed blue skies. We packed up and headed South Wednesday. There were flight restrictions around Palm Beach due to the President but on an IFR plan we are allowed within the 30 mile ring and it did not change our route.
The flight was right on time, one of the benefits of not having a schedule. Rachel picked us up and we headed to lunch with the girls. One of the benefits of travelling for the Holidays is being pampered at a hotel. I had originally booked a 4 points Sheraton but I checked last week and there was a great deal on the JW Marriott which was closer to my Dad. I realized I had a free night about to expire and used that and ended up paying less for much more hotel.
The JW had a nice pool and they have the concierge lounge which means free waters/soda and snacks. Also food in the evenings.
Thursday, Dad, Samantha and I fulfilled our annual tradition by going flying. I returned the plane to the same spot where we had parked. I had not fueled on arrival or after our Thursday flight. At KHWO, Friday is fuel Friday and you get a 50 cent discount per gallon. I scheduled our fill up and the tanks were topped when we returned Saturday. My big Black Friday score.
One other cool feature was that the FBO had a fish tank with Finding Nemo themed fish.
We usually spend the day cooking but this year was different. We all assembled at Dad's place and had hot dogs for lunch and then took a walk. We then lounged at the hotel pool until it was time for Thanksgiving dinner. We all went to a local establishment and had a delicious meal that we did not have to cook or clean up after. I am getting to like new traditions.
As we were resting after the meal, we got some odd activity from Rachel's phone. It had freaked out. Luckily she could facetime us from her computer. So we had a misbehaving phone and it was 9PM on thanksgiving. Another positive of our chosen hotel is that it was only a 8 minute walk to the Apple store. Not sure how but there was an appointment available at 10:45 on Black Friday.
We were not sure of the extent of the issue but at 10:35 our name was called and they tested the phone. It needed a new screen and it could be done in 1 hour. The big surprise, it was covered by Apple. We strolled a bit, the girls got Starbucks and then we retrieved the phone.
After that we returned to Dad's to eat more (there is a theme here). Then some pool time followed by some walking around Brickell City Centre. I don't like malls but this was quite nice. Also along the way we saw a Capital One Cafe. Had never seen one before so we stopped in. Our timing was really good. If you are a customer (we are) you get free coffee Friday 3-5 (We Did)
As the sun set we headed back to Dad's to feast on Italian food. The girls decided to take a walk in the design district but I decided to chill and flight plan. Saturday we slept late and then Dad dropped us at the airport for our flight home. Weather was great but we had some headwinds. The forecast had said they would diminish as we headed North but that was not accurate. When our ground speed was down to 145, I took a chance and asked for 5000.
Fuel consumption is about a gallon more per hour down low but our speed went up to 163. Our arrival was smooth. The entire way back I was very thankful to be flying ourselves and not on the road or in a big shiny metal tube, even if it was about 10 minutes longer than normal.
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