12 August 2026 Hollywood: Off to Plantation to Visit the Schnieders

Since Oscar did not join us last time, we decided to head over to see him at the Schneider house. First we took the long way there, a nostalgic drive along Johnson Street.  Sure it took twice as long but I had a hair cut scheduled and this route took us where we needed to be.  Maria greeted us with a big appetiser plate and a fantastic paella for dinner!  For dessert there was a selection of rugulah that we brought over from Two Jay's.  We also has a selection of aromatic herbs to choose from.  

Downtown Hollywood

Joe Young?

Stopped at another light

Rugulah to go please

This ram has been shorn

Paella for everyone

Oscar is a bit preoccupied in the background

Fancy muselet art

I had to look up that the wire cage around a champagne cork is called

There was a second bottle...

  It has been 4 years and 61 days since we began our Migration

10 August 2026 Hollywood: A Trip to Miami and Then Linda, Dan and Team Leip Go To Dinner

We got into the car around 10 AM and headed to Miami.  We took A1A along the coast all the way to North Miami Beach.  We then drove through the design district and arrived at BLS sometime around 11.  We showed our receipts to the guard and he let us into the same small office that we submitted all the paperwork all so many weeks ago.  We had arrived to pick up our passports, still not knowing if there would be visas inside those passports or not.  After what seemed an hour one of the agents went into the back room and got two passport sized envelopes.  We were handed the enveloped and quickly ushered out of the room.  We stopped outside the bathroom and quickly opened them up.  The guard had followed us out, perhaps he needed to pee.  He ruined our surprise a bit by saying that we had received the visas. He could tell because we did not have a letter in the envelope along with our passports.  No complaints here, we were just very happy to get them back.  We asked about getting our paperwork back and were told to go to the consulate.  They also said that we better hurry because the consulate will be closing in 30 minutes.  We rushed over, got to the velvet rope and explained why we were there.  After some explanation a second guy went to get our files and called us to the back area.  While we were sorting what original files we wanted to keep we found out that the clerk had also his wife's last name!  We immediately drove back to Hollywood and went over to Linda's house.  She did the "we got our visa'a" jig together with us.  After a bit Dan came home and soon we were at Sardelli's Italian Steakhouse enjoying a great dinner.  

Causeway time

Driving over Biscayne Bay

In we go to the tiny office of BLS

The envelope please

https://youtube.com/shorts/VqQNkQJE1B8

Nice art

The Miracle Mile

On the second floor of the consulate

Driving back

Big burgers for lunch

Love those pickles

Out the window...

A boat / billboard

Cruise boats

Roofers

Lets head off to dinner

Bandshell

Sardelli

In we go

Fancy and tasty too

The gang is all here

Back on the boardwalk

Bikes all lit up

 It has been 4 years and 59 days since we began our Migration

9 August 2026 Hollywood: Hollywood Beach Round Two

We booked a week at the Costa Hollywood Beach Resort as it worked out well for us last time.  There was a bit of a mix up, first we got the wrong room type, then we got the right room type but there were issues.  Once we got net pots and pans, had the fridge fixed, had the stove/oven fixed and the exterior windows cleaned everything was great.  We took a walk along the broadwalk and stretched out our legs and then called it a night.

The view is into the honeymoon suite

But also lots of beach and ocean

A football game on the beach

So many electric bikes in the bike lane

An odd man sat next to us on the bench, we talked for a bit

Lounging on the concrete wall

The Hollywood Beach Resort is under construction

Magnificient frigate bird

Love the laid back vibe

So many folks lingering on the beach

Different fashions: from pony boots and clown faces on the butt to naked butt

A zodiac themed mosaic right as we reach the broadwalk 

 

It has been 4 years and 58 days since we began our Migration

9 August 2026 Hollywood: Back Down South We Go

 

On our way to get our visas, we stopped off in Jupiter Farms to see Shaun and is 94 year old Dad.  We have been visiting with Shaun since the 80's and it was great to see him again.  His dad is living with him and had no end of fascinating stories to tell us.  Most amazing was his entry into body building at the age of 50.  He still has the he-man trophies in his room.  It was a quick stop but perfectly timed to give us a break from driving.  

The lush grounds

Shaun is also a boy scout leader and is apparently in charge of the canoes

A warm greeting

Flowering plants everywhere

The internet-famous "Shaun's Porch" 

It is very jungle like

This is how long I have know Shaun.  Ken P. is right next to him

An authentic "Highway Men" painting

Pops is holding court

A 50 year old Addonis

So many trophies

Leslie is getting the low down

A quick trip down memory lane.  Now Shaun can return to his regularly scheduled Sunday afternoon activities....a refreshing nap!

It has been 4 years and 58 days since we began our Migration