I'm back. I've been gone for a little over a week and I come home to find my blog in disarray (Was it Ed who ate all of my Cap'n Crunch?) and my stockpile of Night Train Express fortified wines have all been consumed (You let Kid wander around in here, didn't you?)... At least you left the Nighttime grape-flavored Nyquil, and really - what's the diff after a week of enjoying Caymus Cab?
It's a little bit of a rough landing to be back home in Michigan after a week+ at my bro-in-law and his wife's home in Jupiter, Florida (I LOVE you guys SO much), but one can only take so much clear skies and warm sun in February before missing the overcast steel gray mid-Michigan dome and temps alternating between chilly and bitter cold for this time of year.
And really, what's the difference between drinking my morning coffee from in or next to the backyard pool/spa overlooking the huge pond full of Anhingas, egrets, herons, cranes and other weird tropical Florida bird species, as well as turtles, fish and their very own 7-foot pond 'gator (who had a habit of eye-balling me from the shoreline) - OR - watching an overweight squirrel in my leafless hibernating Maple tree stealing seed meant for Michigan's own brown and drab sparrows from my window?
In all seriousness, the restaurants down here are to die for, and another week down there and I fear I would have needed a motorized wheelbarrow to get around. I love stopping by either the Square Grouper Tiki Bar on the inlet and just drinking an IPA while watching the Pelicans pimp on the peer, or at the beach-side bar at the Jupiter Beach Resort eating fish tacos (and yes, drinking more beer) while listening to the gal playing the guitar and singing Margaritaville.
But alas, as they say, all good things must come to an end. Even eventually cabin fever. And I don't have to slow down for the gate to open to allow ingress to my subdivision (THAT is an extra 3 1/2 minutes over the course of the year, so there is that).
(Below) A relaxing boat ride before dinner at the U Tiki Beach Jupiter Inlet Marina. We didn't see any Manatees (oops, sorry! I meant to say 'mammal-atees' - don't mean to offend any feminist sea cows) - but we did spot former Metallica bassist Jason Newsted practicing in his backyard as we cruised by.
PICTURED left to right: Just some IPA beer-drinking beach bum, the beautiful Mrs. 'Blade, Kristi and Bernie. Thanks again for a fantastic getaway and opening your home to us. You guys are the best!
THE END
(for now)
You never know but what the umbrella drinks and walks in the sand barefoot in February will call you back.
ReplyDeleteI only drink MD-2020 you lucky handsome devil you. Hope it was a great time. Damn we all need lots of that stuff.
ReplyDeleteLL, It calls even now and I haven't stowed my luggage yet.
ReplyDeleteKid, Mad Dog! As if this Boones farmer could afford such luxuries.
I didn't eat ALL the Cap'n Crunch.
ReplyDeleteWell, maybe I did.
I can't remember after the sugar buzz.
Good to see you back alive and miserable with the rest of us up here.
Misery loves company.
DaBlade: Hear that? Paradise is calling... oh, no wait, that's a gator call. He misses you already ;)
ReplyDeleteCube, Just glad the gator didn't smell Cap'n Crunch on my breath (thanks ed) or I wouldn't have survived. Of course, the roof of his mouth would have been sore for a week but he would have deserved it. Bad gator!!!
ReplyDeletep.s. I think we are going back next month :)
The lure of the South during Winter, and early Spring, is hard to resist, after a visit. Most of our Winters are very similar to Summer in the northern states, and the pleasant days can be intoxicating.
ReplyDeleteAin't it the truth, Jess. It was too cold and snowy this morning for even the overweight squirrel.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad the Florida gator missed you 'cause who else would I have to pick in your neck of the woods.
ReplyDelete