No Shoveling Sunshine

Me and my man just returned from a 6 day 5 night vacay to the sunshine state of Florida.  We chose Pompano Beach in Fort Lauderdale on the East Coast for this  trip because we had most recently (back in May of 2019) traveled to the West Coast and stayed on St. Pete’s Beach in Clearwater.

My 58th birthday was another reason why we chose this destination.  Instead of taking turns shoveling snow with our teeth chattering in the wind and/or  dealing with the super drab Winter blahs,  we opted instead to celebrate my Valentines Day Birthday in 80 degree weather along with the cool breezes of the Atlantic ocean.

Besides, there’s no shoveling sunshine right (smile).

Our travel agent Karen made all of the arrangements once she learned of our needs: namely warm sunny weather, cool ocean breezes, nearby golf courses,  outdoor music, a decent nightlife, good restaurants, sightseeing and shopping.

We stayed at the Marriott Pompano Beach Resort and Spa in a standard King room with ocean views.

 

 

You could literally see the ocean from our small balcony…

 

 

A view of our hotel through the swaying palm trees

 

And the Concierge James truly lived up to the reputation of his position.

 

Pompano Beach time – Day 1- soaking up the Sun is one of my fave things to do at the beach

 

Nice and hottt – 80’s perfect beach weather

 

Loved the resort lounge chairs all set up for us at the beach and on prime real estate

 

On our first night (of Day 1) we dined at And Fish Kitchen and Bar (the Marriott Hotel Restaurant and Bar)

 

 

Our waiter Chris at And Fish Kitchen and Bar was spectacular!

Our Waiter rocked and he introduced us to Meiomi wine which we loved!

 

Day 2 – Carlucci’s Trattoria – a Pompano Beach Restaurant  – I was famished after walking a couple of miles and this place hit the spot!

 

 

We enjoyed al fresco dining on the street while under a big umbrella

 

Seaside Grill – a Pompano Beach restaurant (night of Day 2)

 

Our Concierge James recommended this restaurant which was quite literally up the street from our hotel

 

We were not disappointed as the ambience was comfy cool and the food and wine delish!

 

Day 3 – 9Face Sushi – another Pompano Beach restaurant – dining al fresco – out here it seems as if everyone and their grandmother owns a dog (smile)

 

9Face Sushi – in the corner of this pix

 

By the way, even though we were on vacay we still took the time every day to work out in the hotel gym

 

The fact that the hotel gym faced the ocean was a pleasant surprise

 

On Day 4 we Uber’d over to Nauti Dawg Marina Cafe in Lighthouse Point – a restaurant my friend and former News 8 co-worker Terri recommended.

 

Couldn’t go all the way to the East Coast of Florida without looking up my good friend and former co-worker Terri Guerra and her husband Paul Guerra. We all met for a fab lunch at the Newt Dawg Marina Cafe – a must try restaurant 😎

 

Sun Surf Sand (S3)  – Fort Lauderdale Beach (night of Day 4)

S3 came highly recommended by another News 8 former co-worker – we were late to the party so to speak so we could not get inside but we still enjoyed drinks and apps in front of the restaurant🥰.

 

 

Pompano Beach Municipal Golf Course – on Day 5 it was not as windy as the first half of the week so we decided to borrow clubs, buy balls and tees and go golfing up the street at the municipal course

 

Rusty but ready to play – not used to golfing with borrowed clubs either (smile)

 

Speaking of weather – It was in the mid 70’s the first half of the week with strong winds and the early 80s the second half…

 

This is what weather looked like in South Florida (smile)

Traffic – It wasn’t really a concern for us as we Uber’d everywhere (smile)

This is what traffic looked like in South Florida (smile)

 

Day 5 – Delray Beach  – this town was highly recommended by Karen our travel agent because it offered up the type of vacation lifestyle we were seeking – so we ended up spending the entire day here…

 

Loved Delray beach!

 

This strip reminded me of California with the palm trees and all

 

We had just missed seeing Coco Gauff play at home by a week!

One of Delray Beach’s many cruise boats

We love, love, love oysters so City Oysters was an obvious choice for drinks and apps

 

For dinner we decided on Italian at Vic and Angelo’s – it was decent

 

Our last night in Pompano Beach…

 

Cocktails outside on the moonlit deck of the Marriott hotel tiki bar and later, a warm inviting hot tub.

 

The End (sigh…)