Florida Gulf Coast

The waters of the Gulf were warmer than a drawn bath. It was like a hot tub without the jets and the body oils. The skates and the rays were on their game, out to hustle and school the fish. They kept from us as long as we shuffled our feet. Off, in the distance, close to the horizon, the tankers lurked in the waters. They waited for their trip into port. They were beautiful in their endeavors, the machine and the endless drone of production were heard in my head. I thought of those out there on those oil rigs waiting their turn for vacation as I patiently did. Now, I sip on these white sand beaches and throw back Corona on top of Corona. The days fade fast as every vacation does.

My heart grows tender for all those Spanish explorers who thought the Fountain of Youth was near here in Florida. I hope there is truth to that because I have found a comfort and a healing in these warmer waters. Makes me want to be a snow bird. Everything is more lush here, the vegetation, the aptitude for sustenance in the streets. Almost Caribbean like, folk on their grind. Beach dudes finding the salt life. Hotels line the boulevards. Set in the style of the 60's and 70's, retro. The folks renting the rooms, like myself, are retro ballers. Representing the seventies and the eighties in our lore and expression.

Treasure Island is lined with those chic, retro hotels that put out the insatiable party vibe. Like our parents and our grandparents back in the day, we get restless for luxury and if we can find it during a one week vacation from work, then so be it. More power to us. That makes me thirst for more weeks of the same fun in the sun, whether it be here or somewhere else. But, I'm glad to find the Coronas buried in the sand on this Gulf Coast. I think the Fountain of Youth is anywhere the sun hits off a worn, leathered face and makes a feeling of sanctuary. A feeling of peace to the core of the body. Like in the Matrix when Keanu reaches through his love's body and touches her heart. This is the power of the sun. And all the while, the tankers lurk on the horizon, the drillers rig more piledrivers, the movers and shakers play shuffleboard into the sunset.

The party is endless, beer is always on the steady, good times are for the taking. I can't lose sight of my vacation mind, it lends me to thirst for more out of my life. Places are yet unseen, rocks are yet unturned, give me my youth and I'll turn all them rocks toward the sun. Upend them and their bigger boulder brothers.

We spent one night on the town. Ricky T's called us in. The band played on and the vibe was a mix of the Florida, Jimmy Buffet life and hard rock and roll. Meanwhile, my Latina diva dime was at my steady. Knockin' back Coronas with me. She is the sun after dusk. She lights my night. We dropped into each other's arms and soaked in the Floridian hospitality. The South had a hold on us, like a spell, it embraced us.