MLK TO DBC TO... WTF (as in: What, This is Florida)??

A week ago the college town of Deland was sunny but chilly. Its one of those historic college towns with restored brick fronts and classic theatre. But there was also a small and spirited march honoring Martin Luther King Jr. One of thousands of marches, with a long way to go...

On short notice, we're in a top floor unit of the DBC --- Daytona Beach Club. Out front the famous longggg beach, to the north the new Hard Rock resort. A good base!

There's lots more new construction along with the Hard Rock ---- Daytona Beach is overcoming years of being overlooked. Massive waves pound the shore in the wind but there's still miles of sand shore walking.

Scenic drives along the Halifax River and out to secluded local parks. Croc ponds and Spanish moss. The Gardener envies the fresh greens so early in the season. The Other Guy awaits his 8 minutes.

But it's been mostly windy and cold for Florida. Die Hards bundle up for the farmer's market. Bikers don't flinch in the cold even at 60mph--- Daytona is biker heaven!

So its unseasonably windy, cold, and wet. Still, some fly solo and others flock it.

This morning it's brutally cold and snowblown at home in the north. Or monsoon rain and windblown here in the south. Anybody out there in the mild middle?

COUNT THE COASTS

Started the week in Toronto on the coast of Lake Ontario but the forecast looked cold and my gas pedal foot was twitching from lack of use. So, we closed up and loaded up and went on a drive I've been doing for decades --- I-75 to Florida.

Arrived on the Gulf coast at Clearwater. Sunny and cool --- just right! The turtles are smiling but the big tourist season hasn't started yet??

Over to St. Petersburg on the Tampa Bay Coast. The iconic pier is still under construction (since 2014!!). Nearby Safety Harbor also scenic but quiet. Even the birds are wondering "Where is everybody?"

Had to wait for the lift bridge before arriving at heritage John's Pass Village. Scenic elevated boardwalk is good for fish 'n chips (for us) and just fish (for the pelicans).

Up to the Blue Jay's winter camp at Dunedin. Same thing --- pleasant, scenic, sailboats, and still not very busy.

Then an easy drive right across the state to Cocoa Beach on the coast of the Atlantic. The big attraction is the Ron Jon surf shop in surfing legend Kelly Slater's hometown. A woody and a would-be. Good walking routes but the ocean is too cold for swimming!

Past all the launch facilities at Kennedy Space Center to Titusville. Again, excellent shore walking paths and classic graceful white bridges. So we're at the Executive Garden (but no executives in sight, no garden...) on this U.S. holiday weekend. Hot yesterday, rain last night, clearing now. Today we're out on the coast of Merritt Island looking for a herd of (sea) cows...

SURF TOES TO SNOW TOES

The last days in Vallarta were walks to different neighbourhoods because we may not be back for a while. For you birders out there --- what was this pair? For you mariachi fans out there --- what were these guys playing?

The going-away-day breakfast was at Cuales y Cuantes ("Which and How Many") at high tide. Want some salt with your water?

But it was great to get back and take a quick trip to the Home on the Hill. The neighbours swear that there was no snow til the night before we arrived. It just seemed normal for January. All is well and beautiful up there. Snow and cold, fresh air and serenity...

The car got salted and sanded from the roads, not from the ocean! Fun to do a car wash again. We're ready to take a long drive but the route is under a major winter storm event. It's a snowy Sunday...maybe tomorrow??