Went fishing with my dad in the Indian River near the Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge. The area is gorgeous Florida at its finest. Manatees are everywhere you look and the ocean brings and endless variety of fish to catch. I’m not revealing our exact area because its relatively isolated and we’d like to keep it that way 🙂
Tag: salt life
Rode my handcycle through Hollywood Beach, Florida
Last weekend I visited Hollywood Beach, Florida. I rode my hand-cycle up and down the 3 mile (one direction) beach boardwalk on a gorgeous Saturday morning. I had never visited Hollywood Beach before, but it instantly reminded me of “The Strand” along the beaches of Los Angeles. There’s an endless parade of smoothie stands, beach shops, tiki bars, and smiling, happy people. Also Margarittaville!
There is lots of public parking at the parks that are on both ends of the boardwalk. Best of all, the beaches offer direct access from sidewalk to the sand, with no ramps, dunes or other obstacles to slow someone down. If you watch my video closely you’ll also notice a few blue colored wheelchair accessible mats going out into the sand. I didn’t get a chance to get on the beach as I was tired from my biking, but I will surely return soon.
Dania Beach Pier
Last weekend I took a trip down to Miami to see Radiohead live in concert at the American Airlines arena. The concert was amazing, it was my first time seeing Radiohead, and they put on a very OK Computer heavy setlist, which happily surprised me.
The arena itself was pretty good. Its a near clone to the new Amway Center in Orlando. Handicapped parking at the arena was NOT free like it was in Orlando, but I cannot complain about anything else. Except the traffic. Downtown Miami traffic is horrid.
On the way back from Miami I stopped by Dania Beach, specifically near the Dania Beach Pier, and I found it to be by far the most wheelchair friendly beach in Florida yet. Here is a video of me using my lever drive chair to go directly from the parking lot to near the water. Completely flat the entire way!
After resting for a few minutes, I continued down towards the water to watch the wind surfers in action. Next time I’ll bring my wetsuit and try out the water myself.
Handicapped parking is free near the pier, but has self service kiosks for everyone else. Entrance to the pier itself is not free, but is only a few dollars for both observers and fishing. There were tons of people fishing so it looks like a great spot.