Dec 5 - Flip Flops

As planned, I went for a ride. Heading north again I realized that I've only had a wind from the south once since we've been here. Perhaps that's why it's been so cool. It was a beautiful day with the high predicted for 78F. That never materialized, it probably hit 73F ... but hey, I am not complaining ! There's nothing like riding unencumbered by extra clothing !

Before going out we received an email from Norm & Patti inviting us over for a drink and to attend "Light up Flagler". That works for us, I replied, so we headed over there around 5pm. In the meantime, Sandy had run some errands and taken Abby for a walk, so everyone was happy. Well, Abby is never happy to see us leave, but we were only gone a few hours.

Norm and Patti live within walking distance of Flagler, which was closed to traffic and packed. It reminded me of Bourbon Street in New Orleans. Roast Chestnuts, Sangria -- there was no lack of little roadside stands handing out free, yes, free, food and drink. Let me clarify though -- the two chestnuts in a little cup & a 2 oz plastic glass filled with ice and a little Sangria ... this was not dinner.

Presumably this was all paid-for by local merchants. We browsed through a couple of stores and chatted with some friends of Norm and Patti who we met on the street. Apparently they had purchased a vacant block of stores and have convinced city council to allow restaurants to move in. That will be good for the area. City Council has also approved the zoning of a vacant lot for a small hotel -- a Hilton Garden Inn -- to be four stories, etc. and not detract from the quaintness (is that a word?) of the area. One of the restaurants moving into this area is Clancy's Cantina -- the restaurant now located by Publix and owned by our next-door neighbor, Matt Clancy.

Norm had made reservations at Flip Flops, a half-block down Pine Street. We had never heard of or seen this restaurant before. I guess we should get out more ! It is a tiny little place, very noisy and of course packed. We had an excellent meal, the only negative for me is being able to follow a conversation in such a noisy place. I managed, but only because the tables are small.

After Flip Flops we wandered back to Norm and Patti's where our car was parked and then on home. We may get together with them again today to see the boat parade up the Intracoastal Waterway that takes place this evening. I was toying with the idea of another bike ride since today is supposed to be much warmer than tomorrow (73F vs 63F) but we have showers headed our way, according to the Doppler, so that will nix that plan.

It's coooolllldddd up north. The lake is now frozen, according to Bonnie, and the weather report looks like sub-freezing temperatures for the next 10 days. Some of that is really cold, like -20C, so that should help build up some ice. We are also getting piled up with snow. As I said in an email to my biking buddies -- today biking, next week ice fishing -- life is strange.