Sunday morning early departure. Weather is very civilized, about 25C, but will rain from time to time. Say our goodbyes and a million thank yous for the unbelievable hospitality. Grab gas at $2.89/gallon, the lowest yet (we paid $4.00 in NY) and the coffee at the gas station is actually pretty good, which is lucky since everything else is closed this early on a Sunday morning.
Just roll on south on the I95 and I’m listening to music while Chris is on her podcasts. Nice and relaxing, the traffic is never that busy. Stop only for the occassional de-coffee break.
Florida makes State Number Eight and we pull into the massive Gaylord Palms Hotel and Conference Center about 11:30 am – right on time. We get our room and dump some stuff, Christy goes to register for the conference, I explore a bit and go back to the car for more gear.
The hotel has a huge outdoor water park for kids but right beside it is a 65m long, 6m wide pool that is perfect for lane swimming tho unmarked for that. Pefect especially cuz there’s no one in it. It’s a beautiful afternoon but after one length I feel it raining on me, I get out just in time to rescue my clothes, wallet, phone from a punishing drenching. Not quite rescue. The sky unleashes and everything’s very wet – I’m still pretty damp as I write this 5 hours later. After 20 minutes the sun is back, the all clear sounds and I’m allowed back in. I do about 750m – it’s great, might try again in the morning if I can.
Soggy walk back to the room Christy and Joy are there (happy reunion) and we go for food as everyone is starving. Head to Wreckers Sports Bar where I wait for a table while the girls go check in to the conference. I get a table immediately and get to chill (that’s a not-so-subtle hint) watching sports on huge screens for over an hour cuz the girls have vanished. Sacrifices I make.
I’m not chillin, I’m damn near frozen in my wet clothes in the air conditioned bar. I didn’t bring any extra clothes from the car as I am only staying the night. Couple glasses of red help immensely.
Girls come back, we eat, we leave. They have a gig at the conference 5-8 pm where they have gone to now as I write this.
I think I am mostly dry now.