Somebody has upset the space gods and the weather gods both
at the same time. The problem this presents is:
We
don’t know what to expect. Do we watch for rain or
snow?
Wind will usually accompany both of them. Temperatures are
totally unpredictable, running wild all around the country.
We talked to friends in Michigan and complained about the temperature
being down to 50. No sympathy was offered as we were advised
the Mitten State had a high of 17 that day.
It’s boat show time in South Florida and the Convention
Center in Miami Beach had hundreds of boats from 14 to 60 feet
on the main level. Equipment displays occupied the second level:
electronics, clothing, safety items such as inflatable PFDs
and specialty items. There were sun glasses that allow you
to spot deep under the water’s surface — fish,
eels and gaters lying on the bottom.
Behind the center is a paved area full of tents and additional
boats from offshore high-speed types to small, rubber row boats.
I had to wonder what a 30-foot fiberglass center console with
four 250-HP outboards would be used for. Everything associated
with boating was on display and boat show special deals were
being made.
Three other areas were available to visit in an in-water marina
location. You may take a ride on a power boat of your choice
by indicating intent to purchase. If sail is your interest,
they are displayed at dockside to tour and special arrangements
could be made for a demo sail. Special equipment booths accompany
each of the in-water shows.
A
final show was located on the intercoastal waterway a few
miles distant but available via shuttle.
This show is referred
to as the brokers’ sale area and it contained
the mega yachts. All the boats were much larger
and so were
the price
tags which ran into the millions. There is never
a lack of lookers at this show, those dreaming
of winning
the
lottery
and being able to afford a luxury yacht. Sales
people are patient never really knowing if a
prospective sale is among
the gawkers.
The entire show is simply too big to see in one day, most visitors
plan on two or three days to see it all. It is intended to
be a warm-weather getaway outing and the first two days this
year went well. Dealer meetings and business transactions took
place and VIPs enjoyed warm weather. Rain, which is common
during the show, hardly dampened the crowd. They moved into
the tents if they were outside and continued to browse until
it let up.
On the third day of the show, when most meetings and hand shaking
were over and it was time for the public to rush in, disaster
struck. Heavy downpours of rain, high winds and a drastic drop
in temperature covered south Florida all the way to Key West.
Numbers registered in the 50s early in the evenings and colder
over a three-day period. Records were definitely set.
Those
numbers may seem ideal to those toughing it out in winter
areas but keep in mind,
average temperatures
in
South Florida
this time of year are 75 to 80. Visitors
visiting the
Miami International Boat Show arrive from
all over the world
with small carry-on luggage containing
shorts, T-shirts and sandals.
When the weather had its tantrum, these
people thought it was a winter storm – minus
snow.
As I see it, I must agree a cold spell here is uncomfortable.
Add high winds, weird things flashing across the sky and it
gets concerning. The meteorite disaster in Russia, followed
by unexplained sightings in California and Arizona plus bright
objects streaking across the Florida skies added to horrid
weather, really made us wonder what was next.
We are hoping the weather gods and space gods will settle down
after their show of superiority and let us get back to enjoying
life in South Florida.