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We were refreshed by our lunch followed by that relaxation time in our hotel room. This was the second day of our backyard vacation in Deerfield Beach, less than half an hour from our homes. We stayed at the Howard Johnson Plaza Resort, which is directly on the beach – and nothing like the HoJo hotels I remember from the past. The common areas were more upscale, the room comfortable and quiet, with a beautiful pool overlooking the sea and some excellent bars and restaurants as part of the complex.
So, now late in the afternoon, we were ready for a dip in that lovely pool. It was hot and sunny but that didn’t matter once we got into the water. Gwendolyn and I splashed around at the deep end, laughing like kids and generally having a swell time. After our swim, we dried off in the shade and then got ready for our evening. Cocktails in the room, sliding door open to the ocean breeze. A short walk along the ocean, then on to a wonderful meal at The Whale’s Rib. Just a block from the hotel, this is one of those real fish-and-oyster joints that are more Old Florida than new. And charming because of that. I had the grilled dolphin dinner and she ordered a dolphin sandwich. Tender, juicy fish, properly cooked and served with unusual fries.
I seem to also recall a stop for ice cream after our meal. Yes, I admit it – at Ben and Jerry’s, no less. (Is there anywhere else for a former Vermonter like me?) And then, that amazing moonlight swim. The sky was clear above and to the east. To the west, darts of lightning and low rumbling thunder. And an amber-white moon, just a bit past full, glistening down from overhead and washed across the waves. We waded out into the dark sea, just the two of us, and it felt very private and almost surreal somehow. There was something so beautiful about the moment, holding each other in the black water, pushed by the swells and bathed in the gleam of the moon and the lightning and … All I know is, it didn’t matter that I was so close to home. It doesn’t get much better than this.
So, now late in the afternoon, we were ready for a dip in that lovely pool. It was hot and sunny but that didn’t matter once we got into the water. Gwendolyn and I splashed around at the deep end, laughing like kids and generally having a swell time. After our swim, we dried off in the shade and then got ready for our evening. Cocktails in the room, sliding door open to the ocean breeze. A short walk along the ocean, then on to a wonderful meal at The Whale’s Rib. Just a block from the hotel, this is one of those real fish-and-oyster joints that are more Old Florida than new. And charming because of that. I had the grilled dolphin dinner and she ordered a dolphin sandwich. Tender, juicy fish, properly cooked and served with unusual fries.
I seem to also recall a stop for ice cream after our meal. Yes, I admit it – at Ben and Jerry’s, no less. (Is there anywhere else for a former Vermonter like me?) And then, that amazing moonlight swim. The sky was clear above and to the east. To the west, darts of lightning and low rumbling thunder. And an amber-white moon, just a bit past full, glistening down from overhead and washed across the waves. We waded out into the dark sea, just the two of us, and it felt very private and almost surreal somehow. There was something so beautiful about the moment, holding each other in the black water, pushed by the swells and bathed in the gleam of the moon and the lightning and … All I know is, it didn’t matter that I was so close to home. It doesn’t get much better than this.
posted by LauderBLOGGER at 12:51 PM
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