Key West, FL & Night in Miami, FL. Day 15

Memories...

• The lunch and gift shop at Islamorada. Forgetting the gifts there... the usual dysfunctional me... and then a 10-mile round trip followed.. and I got the gifts from the nice folks at the lunch place

• Knowing that rains do not stop me anymore.. what a powerful feeling!

• The rush to reach CRST to drop off Bijli on time... and the dead slow traffic... riding on the shoulder and passing by a cop's car.. I skipped a few heartbeats then, but luckily nothing happened :-) Then the detour to get gas, emptying the emergency gas tank which I filled up in home town! I spilled at least half of the gas on the bike :-))

• Then reaching CRST on time! after honking at a car a few times, because he honked at me... how stupid of me :-)

• The cold Gatorade from the vending machine at CRST after riding long in HOT weather.. felt lively!

• The gentleman who guided me inside the building and onto the create.. Filling up my temporary bag which looked almost like a garbage bag..

• The paperwork, the comfort I felt dropping off my Bijli.. I kissed her :--) Started the GPS unit and locked the bike

• Listening to the gentleman there.. 30 years with the same company!! Salute !!!!

• Calling Lyft, the driver failing to find me and then canceling the ride.. Then booking another ride on Lyft, and this time seeing a very nice and professional driver... big SUV and a comfortable ride to Tri station...

• The weight of the luggage, buying train tickets and then training arriving within minutes..

• In the true spirit of 'Planes, Trains and Automobiles', I took a train ride from Ft Lauderdale to Miami... I took the upper floor and after some time, found my own corner in the train

• Reaching Miami airport, and the weight of luggage weighed me down heavily.. Somehow I reached the Hertz counter.. I just had to spend few minutes before I was on my way to the car.

• At the car pick up, I was given the option to choose 'any car' from the mix.. The mix had luxury cars as well.. I did not know if that gentleman meant for me to choose from luxury cars as well.. Poor me, I did not even ask and settled with a Nissan Sentra Red.. what a car! Loved it!!

• Getting out of the rental car garage... I reached the top floor instead of the ground :--))) Then finally found my way!

• The music, loud, and the roads of Miami! What a lively experience.. Hearts!!

• The gentleman at the Holiday Inn front desk, I got upgraded to a nicer room.. Hearts again !!

• Getting ready for the night out... photo shoot!! Loved the iron press... and burned my T-shirt :--)

• Outing in Miami!!! Music in the car.. unreal!

• The dinner place by the roadside... Wow food!!

• Kids of color who got upset when I lightly touched him to apologize for not realizing he was in the queue at the convenience store.. Prejudices! I wish to see a world where color is not a difference

• Photo shoot of Miami skyline and buildings! Reaching hotel at 2 AM.. Time absolutely well spent!!

• Overall, a very hectic, chaotic and happening day.. I am made to love chaos :--)

Planning aids...

• Islamorada: Between Key West and Miami, a super cool place to stop for food and gifts... have lunch by the water! : Welcome to Islamorada, Village of Islands

• Everglades National Park: Get your alligator highs! South Beach - Attractions & Things to Do in South Beach Miami FL (visitflorida.com)

• Shipping your motorcycle?: Try Top-Rated Auto Transport Company | Montway Auto Transport , Transportation Company & Logistics Solutions | CRST Cedar Rapids, IA

• Enjoy the train ride in Florida: Tri Rail | South Florida Regional Transportation Authority (tri-rail.com)

• Dinner in Miami beach area, by the roadside, great food?: Mama's Tacos Mexican restaurant – Mama's Tacos South Beach (mamastacosouthbeach.com)