I had to get up a few minutes early this morning to carry the two outrageously large metal campsite markers back to the office to ensure we both get refunded our $10 deposit. As we rode back by the office they looked quite magnificent and reflective leaning against the door. There is no way anyone working in that office will be able to get inside without retrieving those beauties. That will be $10 please!

After a little zig to the zag, some looping back a little and perhaps some second guessing each other’s navigation skills like any two Type A personalities would do in complete early morning darkness, we made it back to the South Dade Trail and headed towards Miami. Phew, we almost rode an extra 1/2 mile on this trip and that would have broke us completely.

The South Dade Trail eventually turned into the M-Path and that is where I saw our sister route marker for the first time. The East Coast Greenway is another way of making it up the Atlantic Coast and will eventually be completed offering riders an opportunity to ride on alternative trails and less busier roads supposedly.

The M-Path essentially follows the elevated Metrorail Line from Kendall to South Miami. The path took us through numerous terminals beginning to fill up with passengers ready to began their commute into work. We were definitely starting to feel the city come to life.

The last 10 Miles of the path is named the Underline and construction is nearly completed for this amazing segment. We had been through numerous detours prior to this last segment as it seems the entire path will eventually be something as special as this city oasis.

The path dumped us into Miami for an amazing morning of riding through the clean and crisp city. I was floored by it all to be honest. It rapidly ascended up my favorite cities list as it got better and better with each passing street corner.

Once we made it easily across the Venetian Way Drawbridge, I quickly felt like the peasant my kids sometimes refer to me as when they request any of my services. Miami Beach has numerous palatial residences that are simply mind blowing to say the least and I felt a little out of place being just a simple peasant. Several of these residences have their own security guard at their gates and my mind was quickly in a state of playing a similar game to people watching in a heavily populated area.

Questions were racing through my head. What do these people do for work? Was it old money that they inherited? How does one get to the point in their life where they can barricade themselves inside these immaculate grounds? I did not even take any pictures while passing through. I felt like I was on some kind of security camera at all times and with all the no loitering signs around I did not want to be that guy on a bike with all his worldly possessions getting confused as someone perhaps casing the joint. No need to have someone feel it necessary to tell me to shuffle along on such a glorious morning.

After exiting what seemed to be the sets from several episodes of Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous, we quickly found a magnificent Venezuelan establishment known as the Sierra Auto Center Food Market & Deli-Cafeteria. Inside I found a group of locals haphazardly gathered at the counter trying to eventually place their order. I successfully weaseled my way in and after asking a local that did not speak english what exactly is in the Pabellon, I courageously ordered one along with two mini pastries filled with chocolate as a back up plan in case my complete lack of understanding resulted in an unsuccessful breakfast attempt.

Let’s end the suspense and just say the Pabellon was so good that I immediately sent a text to Erin and said we have to find a Venezuelan food truck as soon as we get back home! Both mini pastries were amazing as well and put my already good mood on an elevator heading up even higher.

For the rest of the day we would find ourselves riding through numerous beaches that provided great views and people watching opportunities while riding. At one point we stopped at a beachside cafe and I ordered a Pineapple Smoothie just because it seemed like the right thing to do at that particular time.

Folker and I truly enjoyed the scenery all day. It was as good as it could be for two cyclists just passing through. Bravo Miami, Bravo!