LauderBlog
Aug 25: Sunshine in the Park
Posted On: August 25, 2008 4:19 PM
Posted By: LauderBLOGGER
Related Subjects: Greater Fort Lauderdale
Finally, things are getting back to normal around here. As you no doubt know, Florida went through a very wet period lately. Even sunny South Florida endured an unusual stretch of inclement weather. But that changed a couple of days ago. Right now, I’m looking out my office window at puffy clouds and lots of blue sky. It was the same on both Saturday and Sunday. So I decided the weekend would be a delightful time to meet a good friend in the park, just to sit and visit together. After an energetic workout in the gym on Saturday morning, I picked up a fast-food milkshake to put something in my body, then headed over to my favorite small Fort Lauderdale park. Colee Hammock sits on a pleasant bend of the New River where boats, large and small, often pass by. At about 1 p.m., I pulled into a parking space there and saw my friend, Gabriela, waiting on a bench.
We were half in the shade of the many tall trees, half in the early afternoon sunlight. Gabriela had never been to this park before and seemed to like it as much as I do. “This is a great spot,” she told me. “It’s so beautiful here by the river!” She’s right. It is.
We looked out at the mansions on the opposite shore and I explained about the Huizenga house sitting directly across, with the carillon that plays tunes in the evening. A huge yacht floated by – or rather, it was both pushed and pulled past us. Apparently suffering mechanical troubles, this vessel was being towed by one tug boat in front and propelled by another tug from behind. A few folks were scattered around on the benches or spread out on blankets on the thick grass, doing just what Gabriela and I were doing. Nothing. Well, that’s not quite true in our case. As usual with us, we were enjoying a great discussion about some fairly weighty issues. We talked about the search for purpose in human life and a range of related topics that I won’t bore you with here. They each floated into and out of our conversation, just as the boats floated into and out of our view. For nearly two hours, we sat on that park bench soaking up the ideas and the friendship along with the intense sunshine. It was a lovely time and I came away smiling. And slightly sunburned – a reminder to get the sunscreen out again now. Down here, the sun never goes away for long.
We were half in the shade of the many tall trees, half in the early afternoon sunlight. Gabriela had never been to this park before and seemed to like it as much as I do. “This is a great spot,” she told me. “It’s so beautiful here by the river!” She’s right. It is.
We looked out at the mansions on the opposite shore and I explained about the Huizenga house sitting directly across, with the carillon that plays tunes in the evening. A huge yacht floated by – or rather, it was both pushed and pulled past us. Apparently suffering mechanical troubles, this vessel was being towed by one tug boat in front and propelled by another tug from behind. A few folks were scattered around on the benches or spread out on blankets on the thick grass, doing just what Gabriela and I were doing. Nothing. Well, that’s not quite true in our case. As usual with us, we were enjoying a great discussion about some fairly weighty issues. We talked about the search for purpose in human life and a range of related topics that I won’t bore you with here. They each floated into and out of our conversation, just as the boats floated into and out of our view. For nearly two hours, we sat on that park bench soaking up the ideas and the friendship along with the intense sunshine. It was a lovely time and I came away smiling. And slightly sunburned – a reminder to get the sunscreen out again now. Down here, the sun never goes away for long.
RSSComments
Sure can! It's very easy. Go to Las Olas and SE 15th Avenue, turn south, and drive to the end of that street. It's a very short drive off Las Olas. There it is ... A delightful place! Let me know how you like it! Bob
Posted By LauderBLOGGER | 08/29/2008 9:21 AM
Posted By LauderBLOGGER | 08/29/2008 9:21 AM
Can you tell us how to get to Colee Hammock Park please. Thank you
Posted By Anonymous | 08/27/2008 3:39 PM
Posted By Anonymous | 08/27/2008 3:39 PM
Posted By Anonymous | 08/29/2008 1:20 PM