Bikes, beaches, Biscayne

After a long work week it felt great to get back on the bike and back to the beaches.

As I said a couple of days ago, Addam was off this weekend so we decided to make a 13.5 mile bike ride down to Key Biscayne. I slept in, so we got a late start, but as it was a very easy-going day I don’t think either one of us felt too rushed.

We made it out of our apartment around 1 or 2 p.m. and enjoyed some deliciously fattening Taco Bell on the way downtown. (Addam had his usual meat and cheese in a crunchy shell. I had the crispy potato soft taco. Yummm). I would have felt guilty, expect given the epic bike ride we were about to take I knew I’d need all the extra carbs I could afford. So — after a quick lunch, we were on our way to Key Biscayne.

We decided to take Brickell Avenue to the bridge we needed to cross instead of Miami, as my office was on the way, and Addam hadn’t seen it yet. We didn’t go inside, mostly because I didn’t have a key and partly because there are all these warnings up about a new alarm system, and I didn’t know if I would set them off. And trust me — “There are penalties for false alarms.” About 30 signs around the office remind me about them everyday.

After crossing the bridge over to the Keys, Addam and I were both pretty worn out and in desperate need of a water break. This photo doesn’t do it justice, but the bridge was very long and very tall. I feel like a bit of a girl to admit it, but after I reached a certain point, I had to accept defeat and walk my bike up the hump. I’ve been exercising a lot lately, but my legs just weren’t quite built up enough to make the huff.

The break gave Addam and I little time to sit back and enjoy the afternoon sun, so in the end I’d say it was worth the 20 minutes or so we spent there. In order to get to Key Biscayne, you have to bike through Virginia Key. It’s much smaller, but we did find a cute little beach on the way, which is where we relaxed for a bit. If we would have had money there would have been plenty to do there, as vendors were renting out all sorts of sporting equipment. Sign after sign guaranteed that anyone could “learn to water ski in an hour,” but we didn’t have the time to take them up on their offer. Maybe next time. “In another life, brotha.”

After a quick break we were on our way once again. We biked another bridge and made it to Key Biscayne by mid-afternoon. It was starting to look like it was about to rain, but luckily it held off for us.

The whole island is a series of private beaches and parks, so we took our time as we headed down to the gardens. I felt like we were spending the day at a resort location. And, ok, I guess we kind of were, but even though I’m a Miamian now, it’s still weird for me to step out of my front door and into paradise. In between some tennis courts and a huge playground we found another stretch of beach to check out.

Even given the location, the spot was pretty secluded. I spent about 10 minutes taking photos and playing in the sand, but Addam became more than occupied with this crab he saw scurrying through the water. We were both still full on Taco Bell, but I would love to go back sometime for a picnic or camping.

We didn’t stay long before moving on. I do have to note that as we left we saw some wild chickens running around that I made Addam get a couple of shots of. (It’s kind of funny — during this bike ride we passed as many random, unidentifiable animals as anyone could possibly imagine, and yet, I’m wowed by the chicken).

As we headed down to the southern-most tip of the island we rode through a series of bike trails. As cliché as it may sound, it was beautiful. Addam and I would break right between the trees and lay out on the hot payment, listening to the insects buzz while we bathed in the afternoon heat. We weren’t in a hurry, and we were taking time. As Frank Turner says in The Ballad of Me and My Friends, “If you’re all about the destination, then take a f-cking flight. We’re going nowhere slowly, and we’re seeing all the sights.”

But eventually, a couple of hours before the sun began to descend into the crystal waters of the Caribbean, we made it to our final destination — a secluded spot on Bill Baggs Beach.

After jumping from sand dune to sand dune we found an empty area to relax and have a drink by the water. From where we sat we had a gorgeous view of a lighthouse, which I really don’t know the story behind but plan on looking up. Sitting there I couldn’t help but think how perfect the location would be for a wedding — and definitely made a mental note to look into it further.

After a long swim, Addam and I headed home. As we only had about half an hour of daylight left, we opted to take the bus back to the “mainland.” Even riding, the trip took about an hour, and I was so exhausted that I’m pretty sure I fell asleep with my head in Addam’s lap. When I got home I pretty much collapsed into my bed, which explains why this post is coming to you a day late.

I don’t get many opportunities to shut off my mind and enjoy moments as I experience them. I become so caught up in my own life that I cannot always appreciate my time as I spend it. I’m glad that, on this day, I could. At no point did I stop to contemplate what came next. I was where I was, and that was enough.