My mind is in the water already

The sky is back to grey again and the wind is kicking the trees around outside my window. I checked the weather in St. Pete for this weekend and it seems to be a little clearer than was expected earlier in the week. That is some consolation when I look out the window. Actually, quite a lot of consolation.

We will be driving down toward Florida very early in the morning so as to allow me to do a closing in Americus along the way. That buys us $250.00 toward the gas to get us down and back again. Maybe even a bit to put toward seafood and sun tan lotion. With the weather the way it is now, driving over the bridge on 675 from Tampa to St. Pete, Miles Davis playing "Miles Ahead" on my headphones. Trying to smell the brine from Tampa Bay through the open window. That should kill the blues I am starting to feel right now.

I am thinking about having sand collecting between my toes. Sunburn on my arms and legs. The smell of saltwater and Coppertone. Fried shrimp. Grilled grouper sandwich with tarter sauce. Beer with an oyster in it and cocktail sauce and tabasco. Sitting in a shot glass.

Aunts and uncles, cousins, an opportunity, perhaps, to board a motor boat and make a run out into Tampa Bay. Collecting shells on the beach of an island between Pass-a-grille and Bradenton. Sitting on the top of a seafood restaurant, drinking a cold beer, watching the sun pass from above to the western horizon.

Walking downtown. Eating breakfast at a deli in downtown St. Pete. Looking at the sailboats moored along the pier. Hearing that rythm of the boats beating against the moorings. Watching the glint of the morning sun play against the waters of Tampa Bay.

That is what I am thinking about as I consider this trip down to St. Petersburg and the beach for a long weekend.