Today I stopped to smell the ocean breeze. What a gorgeous, fun day! My work travels took me down to Jupiter for the day to meet a client I had spoken to over the phone for years, but never met in person. Jeff was awesome. A recent transplant from upstate New York, Jeff is soaking in all that Florida has to offer. He shared stories of paddle boarding for 7 miles in under 2 hours, an upcoming trip to the Keys for a 12 mile paddle boarding adventure and explained kite boarding to me. His exuberant love of the Florida life opened my eyes to a new appreciation of just how magical our state can be.
I get bogged down in the billboards, chain restaurants and theme parks. And forget the beauty of the coast and the charm of a one of a kind restaurant like the delicious dive we visited for lunch. The Food Shack is located in a strip center at the intersection of US 1 and Indiantown. You would walk right past it if you didn't know better. But once you step inside, you will be back. The decor is eclectic, the menu island inspired and the taste delectable. We started the meal with a Fried Tuna Basil Roll. Oh my...it was yummy and served with a fantastic spicy fresh fruit salad. Jeff humored me by staging the food for my blog photos. For my lunch entree I ordered a fish plate - a nice size piece of Wahoo, blackened and served with coconut rice, cucumber salad and more of the mmmmmmm fruit salad. Jeff ordered a seared tuna sandwich that looked equally delicious.
As good as the food was, the conversation was even better. Jeff has a joy of life that is contagious. The part of my job I enjoy the most is the opportunity it affords me to meet a variety of interesting creative people. Today was one of those really good days. I took the time to stop and smell the ocean breeze and it smelled so fresh and good.
I took a back road back home from I-95 - Highway 46 from Mims to Sanford. It was beautiful...lots of water, marshy areas, wide open plains, palms and birds...very Florida. It was nice to have my eyes wide open.
Note to Self: Check out the Jolly Gator Fish Camp Bar and Grill near Geneva. It is probably a biker bar, but it is in a really cool location. I need to learn more about it.
Today is realized I collect far more than smiles. I collect what is behind the smile...friendships. Cash Starved. Friend Wealthy.
Many hugs,
Kathy
2 comments:
Thought you could use a comment, I so enjoy your blog. Will have to check out the Food Shack, sounds like a place Guy would high light on his Food Network show. James and Cafe Italiano had a mention in the Sentinel this morning, he seems to want to keep the tradition alive.
Keep on posting, Karen
Hi Karen,
Thanks for the comment. I thought the same thing about the Food Shack. Guy Fieri definitely should visit. You should too, if you get down to Jupiter. I will check out the article on Cafe Italiano.
Many hugs,
Kathy
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