A Quick Trip to Miami Beach in February

I spent a couple of days in Miami Beach in mid-February. Arriving to a bright, clear sky, the first thing I noticed was the odd combination of tropical palm trees and blooming pink cherry trees against the modern buildings. It wasn't what I expected, but the colors worked under the intense sun.

Later that afternoon, I walked over to the beach. The sand was white and lined with palms, just as you'd imagine. A few people were still out near the water by the colorful lifeguard stands as the light started to fade. The sky filled with soft pink clouds and the long white lines of jet contrails, signaling the end of the day.

The sunset was the main event. I watched from a spot with a view of the skyline across the water as the sky turned from blue to orange. Boats, lit up for the evening, drifted by. The sun itself was a vibrant orange disk that sank quickly below the horizon, leaving behind incredible golden light that cut through the clouds.

After the sun was down, I found a place for dinner. A few tacos and a cold beer on a wooden table felt like the right way to end the day.