Is it just me, or did everything start to go to hell after the end of the 20th Century? Starting in 2001, we have had 9/11, wars in Iraq and Afghanistan, many destructive hurricanes and wildfires, four years of Donald Trump, and Covid-19. Not to mention the Chicago Cubs winning the World Series. Is it no wonder I like to think back nostalgically to August of 1999 and Stuart, Florida, where my mother Mary lived for 30 years? The photo on the left of my mother and sister Susan was taken at Jack Baker's Lobster Shanty, which featured a great early bird special - and do they even still have such things? Sadly, the place was destroyed by not one, but two hurricanes in 2004.
You might think Florida is too hot to visit during August, but I always thought it was the perfect time. You could visit the beach and enjoy the ocean breeze without the crowds, attend summer festivals, have the entire golf course to yourself, and never have to wait for a table at waterfront restaurants. Plus, you can dine along the water while it is still daylight, and even have time to take a walk past the boats afterwards, which is not the case during the winter months. What point is there to sitting along the water if you can't even see it? The photo on the right, by the way, was taken at the Pirate's Loft, another favorite spot. The crab cakes there are great - so much so that Susan once stole one right off my plate. And yes - I am still bitter about that, even after 22 years. A curmudgeon from the very start, I guess.
In fact, after dinner we would often stop by Stuart Beach or the House of Refuge and take some photos along the ocean, and still get back home in time to walk down to the St. Lucie River to watch the sunset, as seen in the photo on the left. And trust me - you get used to the humidity very quickly. It's either that or die.
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