Dinner Key, Coconut Grove

Ok, Boys and Girls, another Bligh insignificant history segment. The first thing one notices on approach to this marina is a substantial building with hangars that is now the Miami City Hall and the hangar is a boat storage facility. It is not usual for marinas we have visited. When checking in at the office, there is a display of Pan Am Flying Boat models and write ups about the history of this place. Seems that it was the second largest Naval Air Station in the nation in 1917 being separated from the mainland by a small channel, hence the name Dinner Key. After WWI, Pan American Airways established this place as a headquarters, if not the main headquarters and started flying boat service between his place and South America. At the time, it was considerted one of the largest American airports. After WWII when technicological advancements made the flying boat obsolete, Pan Am moved operations to Miami International Airport and abandon flying boats. The facilities reverted to the city of Miami where the old Pan Headquarters became the Miami City Hall. Surprise, the city hall is not in the high rise area to the north which might seem to be the city center. As a side note, the old hangar still remaining was the place where Jim Morrison of Doors fame was arrested in 1969 for exposing himself to the audience (really not worthy of note). Now Dinner Key is the site of one of the largest marinas in Southern Florida. What history this place holds. One can almost hear those old Wasp 820 hp engines moaning on the Clippers.

We took some time today to visit West Marine again for charts and spare parts. Said WM is in Fort Lauderdale some 30 miles away. Getting tired here of visiting WMs.

ack at the boat, we saw a fellow rowing a boat towing a boat. Now that is purists. Above is a shot of the fellow. Also shots of this historic place.

One more day here then up north we go. Bear is doing some exercises that are to release the spasm. Thanks to an old friend on the west coast, we learned that said spasms result from sitting in certain positions for extended times such as being on a boat for months. Hopefully, we will see improvement on her back. There is little joy if the Admiral is not happy.