BAPTISM TO BEACH

More variety than usual this week! The morning after Hallowe'en we attended the baptism of our great-grandtwins Connor and Marion, in Michigan. Many smiles, many tears and all the more meaningful because the water used was drawn from a grandmother's favourite lake.

Out to the parking lot, change to roadtrip rags, and drive two days to plain olde but easy-to-do Florida.  The weather ranged from heavy fog to pouring rain and finally scorching sun. The traffic ranged from Kia Krazy to Snowbird Slow. Great to see the same Welcome Sign over 5 decades...

First stop is a 5-day reacquaintance with Daytona Beach. Low offseason online rates for a clean and upgraded beachfront studio much to our liking (490 sq.ft., avg. US$61/day). Unobstructed walks on the almost-deserted famous wide sands. Laps in a big saltwater pool. A view to forever --- the next land is Morocco!

There has been record-breaking heat in Florida (95F) but even back home (21C); we had packed for much cooler temps. So most of the speed-walking is at sunrise. Others joined in for yoga, lifeguard training, or shell-search.

Daytona is a no-drama place for a getaway, with northern seasonal visitors starting to arrive and unwind. Be careful of the jellyfish, but be awed by the dark sky show. And like this B17 ceremonial flypast, this Nov. 11 remember to honour veterans in Canada and The US...