Friday, Feb. 7 - A big rain this morning, but did that dampen our spirits? Not much. We just think of our homeless friends, trying to stay dry, and can't complain at all. The fellow I've been supplying with books is named Red, and he's always positive. His partner, a black fellow who is always in his lounge, seems somewhat less cheerful, but he's always friendly and ready to greet us as we ride by. They survived the deluge okay, so weren't complaining. I gave Red another book, this one a Harlen Coben, which he hadn't read before. So all is well in that quarter.

We departed from our usual routine yesterday by riding to the beach. We hadn't done it before, as we are usually content to do the circuit around the lake. However, we thought it foolish to be here as much as we have been and not check out the waterfront. So over we went, riding the urban trails (i.e, sidewalks, for the most part), up and over the big bridge that crosses the inland waterway (nearly blew us off our bikes at the top, as there was a very strong wind), and on to the beach.

And what a nice beach it is. Surfers, kite surfers, swimmers, loungers, wanderers, all enjoying this lengthy beach area. There's a casino, a vibrant bar on the pier, all the things the folks who go to Cocoa Beach enjoy. Seems to be pretty much the case all the way up the coast. We wandered about, went out on the pier, had a beer at Benny's on the Beach, and worked our way back home midst the traffic. A good day. Pictures to follow.

Aside from that, we spent this rainy morning planing the rest of our lives (assuming they end when the kids head back home after March Break). We're never this well-organized. Disturbing to me! But with Anna (grand grand-daughter) coming at the beginning of March, we felt we should have some sense of where we'll be during her stay with us. So we've booked two different places at Homosassa, our old favorite area in Florida, followed by a week in the Eustis area (not too far north of Orlando). So we've actually filled in our schedule until March 21st. Unheard of for us.

This week-end is the big Annual Garlic Festival, right here in an area adjacent to our campground. The Wailers are the Saturday night headliners, appropriate, as much of the music seems to have a reggae flavor. This is a big area for Hispanic people, so we expect there will be a lot of them in attendance, which they claim should be close to 40,000 for the week-end. So we'll spend some time there, trying some garlic goodies and enjoying some reggae. You never know what these old grey-heads will end up doing. No doubt the music will be loud and hearable right from our campsite, but we'll go have some fun.

A couple of pics to follow. First, one of my buddies, doing a tai chi manouver., graceful, balanced, full of concentration Amazing birds, these pelicans...my favorites down here. Second, Gail enjoying s Stella in the bright sunshine at Benny's on the Beach; and third, the lovely expanse of the Lake Worth Beach area. That's all for now. Stay tuned. More later.