12/04 to 12/15 - Larry & Penny Thompson Memorial Campground, Miami, FL

   12/04 to 12/15

Larry & Penny Thompson Memorial Campground

Miami, Florida

With stops at BJs, Walmart and refueling, today's trip was a hefty one; 310 miles. No matter, the end of the journey was in a terrific campground AND close to my beautiful granddaughter, Sara, another highlight of my journey that eventually winds up in Clermont, Florida for three months with many of my Hudson Islander friends. It just keeps getting better.

Larry & Penny Thompson Park and Campground "is a first-class camping area adjacent to world-famous zoo Miami. It has 270 acres of natural South Florida woodland, bike trails, hiking paths, and a freshwater lake with its own beach that operates seasonally. The campground consists of 240 separate campsites for recreational vehicles, each with electrical, sewer and water hook-ups. Amenities include four large bathhouse facilities with laundry, restrooms and showers." I was here in April of last year spending time with family so I won't repeat details. If you missed it, that blog can be read HERE.

And for those who don't know granddaughter, Sara, she joined the Miami-Dade Parks team on April 2021 as a Sea Turtle Biologist/Interpretative Program Attendant and was promoted in the Sea Turtle Conservation Program (STCP) to Recreation Specialist 2/Outreach Coordinator in October of 2022. Sara holds a Master of Professional Science in Marine Ecosystem Conservation from the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. In addition, she also holds a Master Certificate in GIS and Remote Sensing of Natural Resources from the University of Rhode Island and a Bachelor of Science in Marine Affairs and Policy from the University of Rhode Island. With more than 10+ solid years of experience in marine science, field work, and marine conservation outreach communications, she is now a Supervisor/Marine Turtle Permit Holder protecting and monitoring sea turtle populations. Her responsibilities include overseeing nesting sites (about ±550) along approximately 19 miles of Miami-Dade County beaches during sea turtle season (March 1st thru October 31st) creating park stewards through education and conservation.

The campground is nicely laid out in "Pod" configurations with 240 sites. 

My site is Pod 7, Site 08

Each site is paved with an adjoining concrete slab. RV storage on other side of the very spacious grassy area lies in the background.

 Services include 30/50 amp, water and sewer hookups. Sara is "working from home."

Clean and modern bathroom/shower and laundry buildings are conveniently located near each pod. Thank you, Sara, for finding the time to come by and visit. 

A 360º view.

Friday, after Sara picked me up, we stopped to rent air tanks for diving, then drove over the Rickenbacker Causeway to Virginia Key and the University of Miami Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. I spent the afternoon on the outside deck of the Salt Cafe located within the building, while Sara dove with friend, Ryan beneath the Causeway. 

Entering the Rickenbacker Causeway on to Virginia Key, an 863 acre barrier island that has no residences.

Virginia Key is situated between Key Biscayne to the south and Miami's mainland to the north. 

City of Miami skyline.

The Key is mainly occupied by the Virginia Key Beach Park, Miami Seaquarium, Miami-Dade's Central District Wastewater Treatment Plant, and the University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science. Other facilities include the former Miami Marine Stadium, the National Marine Fisheries Service Southeast Fisheries Science Center, and an office of the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.

University of Miami's Rosenstiel School of Marine, Atmospheric, and Earth Science (RSMAS).

The campus from above.

The outside Salt Cafe patio overlooks RSMAS Beach and the Bay of Biscayne. The Salt Cafe within had a terrific menu. I had the Brisket Egg Rolls: Marinated shaved Beef Brisket, red onions, cheddar jack cheese and a Honey Garlic Dipping Sauce.

Gathered lots of sun while Sara dove. Very warm but had pleasant thoughts of where I wasn't: back in New York where temps remain in the mid 30's. Sara reported seeing three nurse sharks, two lemon sharks, Moray eel, Eagle rays and Barracudas, Tarpon, lobsters Jacks, Goliath grouper, Angel fish and a massive starfish. For those interested, you can CLICK HERE to see photos of these beautiful creatures. There is a link in the page that will bring you back to the blog.

With the Rickenbacker Causeway connecting Virginia Key with Key Biscayne in the background, the University's Research vessel, the 96-foot-long, 40-foot wide catamaran, F.G. Walton Smith is seen moored.

Named after the University's founder, the F.G. Walton Smith is a state-of-the-art catamaran placed in service in 2000 and was designed to permit exploration of shallow environments such as reefs, mangroves, and grassbeds. The Smith conducts marine research studies throughout the Gulf of Mexico, the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and surrounding regions.

Looking south toward Biscayne Bay

After lunch, Sara took me to a nearby Super Cuts for my long awaited (and needed) haircut. From there, the rest of the afternoon was spent relaxing at her house in the Coconut Grove area. It was here that I watched her continue her work creating chunky blankets for Christmas gifts.  

A quickie tutorial can been viewed HERE if you'd like to create your own. 

And before you knew it, it was time for dinner. We tried a sushi place restaurant nearby that was new to her. Sakura Gable Japanese Restaurant. The very name drew me right away and I shared the experience with Tony at "my" Sakura in Hastings.

Lobster Roll: “An incredible roll for you, with Steamed Lobster, scallions, Masago, avocado, spicy mayo, lettuce and crispy flakes and seeds."

Saturday night we made reservations at the Coral House Italian Restaurant. This Pizza and Pasta House is an upscale restaurant with a menu that made it very difficult to make decisions. Their terrific website features photographs of the savory menu items.  (Hot dog and fries pizza?) A must see by clicking on this LINK!

The restaurant looks more like a home and the outdoor patio makes dining feel like you're enjoying the hospitality of your host.

A special dining event for me. Spending time with (one of) my special granddaughters is as special as it can get. Get ready for some "wine speak" as we enjoy this wine with our meal. 

This Cabernet is a rich and bold red wine from Chile. It features flavors of blackberry, plum, and a hint of spice, with smooth tannins and a long, velvety finish. 

For our appetizer, we chose the Involtini (to wrap or to roll up) Vegetarian: with eggplant, zucchini, peppers, ricotta, cheese, and truffle oil. I would describe them as miniature calzones stuffed with the abovementioned ingredients. Well done and crispy, not quite the website appearance...still a most delicious change of pace app.

Narrowing my choices down from three very flavorful sounding entrees, I chose the Half Moon Tortelli: Tortelli is a type of Italian stuffed pasta, similar to ravioli, but with regional distinctions in size, shape, and filling. Here, their homemade crescent shaped tortelli are filled with burrata, fresh tomatoes in a cream sauce of zucchini, onions and pistachio. And, of course, Sara and I shared a tiramisu for dessert.

And that wraps up my 11-day stay in the Miami area. Quality time with granddaughter, Sara, more memorable dining experiences I love to write about and enjoying fine wine with someone you care about. It doesn't get any better than that.

Next stop, a week in Delray Beach. Hope you'll join me. With a winter advisory in place back home, my hopes for safe travels and the warmth of the Christmas season are being extended to all my friends and family.

"Travel opens our eyes, food nourishes our soul, and family fills our hearts — to have all three is to be truly rich in life."