Much like a huge, fresh, key lime pie in the face- the "season" has come out of nowhere and smacked Fort Lauderdale in it's face!  With all it's sticky goodness, sweet flavorings, and surprises to boot! 

The "season-"al weather has been all but consistent- unless by consistent you mean "It's consitently fluxuating 'between 30 and 80." then you might have a point.  None-the-less, the warming trend is in, and I took a Saturday morning bike ride on my beach cruiser around town.

Around town, in-and-out of alley ways, up over draw bridges, through aisles of tall, palm trees that stretch WAY UP into the clear blue skies.  The first thing i noticed was the number of people on the boardwalk on A1A at 7 a.m., running, walking, some holding cups of coffee, some gazing toward the sunrise, some just pedalling aimlessly through town, looking for a fresh muffin and some sun on his/her face.

My beach cruiser, with it's customary "squeak" on every pedal revolution/turn of the cranks is a reminder of what Fort Lauderdale is all about for me- and so many other black-sock-and-sandal wearing folk that come down here for the "season".  It's a reminder that "laid back" and "chill" and "decompression" are all equal components to the human conitioning, all within reason of course.

Upon my arrival at a local bookstore, I found that the bike racks out front were full of bicycles.  As excited as that makes me (it's alot like finding water in the desert- a kind of "hope" if you will) I still have to find a place to park and lock my bike.  Walking into the bookstore, there were so many people in there!  Perusing magazines, chatting up the ladies at the information desk, some were reading to their children at a table, others waited patiently in line to buy assorted sundries.  It was a lively atmosphere, and the occaissional eruption of giggles from any said table in the cafe made for a "cozy-town feel".  j

Brand new book in hand, I rolled my fat tires down further toward Oakland Park Blvd.  Traffic was picking up- but there weren't the customary angry "BEEPS!" that so often are coupled with too-fast-traffic-'cause-I-didn't-leave-on-time, especially on North Federal Highway.  There were even glimmers of courteousness toward fellow cyclists upon reaching turn lanes and bike lanes!  Yup, it's official- "season" is here!

One warm power bagel with lox and cream cheese (no onions and capers for me!) sitting nicely in my thorax, I meandered down US1 (N. Fed. Hwy.) and happened upon the back alley way behind a many-time-defunct eatery location- and came across the soothing sounds of soft jazz eminating from somewhere withing the brick-built strip-mall.  Around the corner, there were close to 70 people taking in mimosas and croissants at The French Bakery- the music, the ambience was reminiscent of my time spent abroad, poking in and out of unnamed streets in the small towns with obscure names deep within Europe.  Of course I was in a pram- but, I was there!

A short-cut through Victoria Park had me criss-crossing paths with a myriad of cyclists- some recreational, some probably far too serious, and many happily just riding because it's cool.  Spinning slow wheels out onto Las Olas- the street was alive with movement.  Le Bonne Crepe was stacked full!  The Riverside Inn's sidewalk cafe was brimming with eager brunchers, and the traffic was slow and smooth and people were everywhere!

Downtown had multiples of couples ambling down the broad sidewalks, arm in arm, some looking at guide books and then up at the sides of tall buildings with mirrored glass, some walking balls of fluff that may or may not have a dog within them, some stepping quickly with the tell-tale arm movement that would infer an agenda that includes carrot juice and a higher heart rate.

By the time I got back home, 6 hours had passed.  I came across so many people that weren't from around here- but, they are an integral part of Fort Lauderdale.  Much like the migrating Monarch butterfly- it's home is where it lands both during it's travels or in it's "season-"al home.  Where ever these people alight, they add color, atmosphere, and a warmth to an already spirited town. 

Welcome!  Shallom!  Bienvenidos!  Bonjour!  The sun is to you this time of year what you are to Fort Lauderdale...