Winter Wonderland

Bundled up in a heavy coat

I struggle to walk against the fury of the merciless wind

as the chill factor freezes my exposed skin

and my ears scream in pain for protection from the savage cold.

What strange forces have collided to wreak such frigid temperatures

upon this oasis of global warming?

Masses of humanity come from lands far, far away

for the sensation of tropical golden splendor.

I feel a twinge of pity for them as they huddle together...shocked, amazed

and angry that such epic glacial conditions have iced their well-laid plans.

But Mother Nature shows no favoritism.

She imparts her wrath with nonpartisan glee.

The sun is out but the streets are unusually quiet.

The shoreline is wind-whipped and as frothy as a caramel macchiato on steroids.

Shivering and quivering the tourists cower indoors at the bar

or watch TV in their rooms.

Even the souvenir stores are empty.

The beach is completely deserted except for a stray seagull or

a half naked couple from Pennsylvania desperately seeking tan.

Thousands of empty, blue, beach chaise-lounges stretch across the sand,

waiting in vain for sunbathers. But no one comes.

Not a single car in the vast beach parking lot. Not a one.

A bearded man, wearing a ski parka and a coon skin cap...

(I am not making this up)...stands on a street corner selling firewood.

This is the winter Florida experience...47 degrees...at high noon.

Volleyball, anyone?

Lonely cabana chairs sit idle on a deserted Florida Gulf beach. 

 
A few shivering sunbathers brave the chilly weather at the Don Cesar Hotel

on St. Pete Beach, FL.  Notice the guy on the left in a coat and blanket.

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