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Corvettes In Paradise 2006
November 3, 2006

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We met at Denny's at 6am on Friday November 3rd for some human fuel before our journey began - 3 cars, 6 people; Ray & Juanita Basica, David & Lisa Jessing, Bob & Ellen Malizia. After breakfast we left for Islamorada by way of the FL Turnpike, the weather was clear when we left but we (as always) ran into a few brief showers along the way. The drive was fairly uneventful and quick (only 5 hours!). We arrived at the Holiday Isle at noon and were very fortunate that our room was available. We were parked by the FL Keys Corvette Club members and were lucky again when we were parked right outside of our building. We emptied out the cars and headed for our room "The Presidential Suite" WOW, what a room! Too bad that we finally found decent accommodations for the last show that will be held there (they are tearing down to build condos). The room was big, 3 BR, 2 BA, huge living room, dining room, kitchen and a wrap around balcony that overlooked the ocean and the parking area with all of the cars.

Once the cars were emptied "the cleaners" went to work. Fortunately we did not need to wash the cars, just the wipe down. Most of us were "done" by 3pm with the hopes that the next day the wind would not be blowing so hard. We had a few beers, margaritas, and showers, checked out the views from the balcony, talked with our fellow Corvetters until dinner time.

With virtually no options w/I walking distance we decided to try the Sportfish Grill which is on the property. What a pleasant surprise! The food was very good, prices reasonable and the service was good as well. After dinner it was back to the suite for a few more beers and then bed early, after all most of us were up that morning at 4am. Well low and behold if they did not have a live band that night. I don't personally know what time they started but I know that at midnight it sounded like they were on our balcony (which was 5 floors up) luckily they were good! About 1am they shut it down and said they would be back the next night (oh goody).

The next morning it was up and back to the car cleaning and guess what, the wind was blowing harder than the day before! With bursts of rain no less…Certainly made for trying to keep a car clean for the judges a challenge. I'm guessing that they took it into consideration and everyone there was in the same boat. About 4pm they announced the trophy winners, our group was 3 for 3. Ray & Juanita won 3rd place Special Interest, Dave & Lisa won 1st place Special Interest and Bob & Ellen won 1st place 2005-2007. There were some great cars again this year for the "last at the Isle".

We went to "Dinner with Dave" that evening (Dave McClellend) and were treated to a presentation of his trip to the Ferrari plant in Italy. It certainly was a special evening.

Headed back to the room for a few more drinks and then off to bed because we knew that we had the road ahead of us in the morning and the music was yet to come. The band cut off again about 1am and then it was quiet, I must be a light sleeper because I was the only one that heard it.

Sunday morning dawned a bit windy but with clear skies. We had breakfast at the Sportfish Grill and again had good food and service then we hit the road, kind of. A brief stop to check out and uh oh, Bob & Ellen packed the radar detector and epass in the trunk, it took several minutes and some cussing to find it, thanks Lisa, and we were then on our way. Another uneventful trip home and this completes another great Keys adventure.

I highly recommend that everyone consider making this trip at some time, it is a blast. I'm not sure where they are going to hold it next year but the buzz is it will be in Marathon again.