The Information Super-Frog

“I had arrived at the season of general relaxation, on the eve of the Carnival, which is celebrated with much gaiety in all Catholic countries. Masks, dominoes, harlequins, punchinelloes, and a variety of grotesque disguises, on horseback, in carts, gigs, and on foot paraded the streets with guitars, violins, and other instruments; and in the evening the houses were opened to receive masks, and balls were given in every direction.” -- J. Freeman Rattenbury's description of Carnival in St. Augustine, Spanish Florida, February 1818, from "Narrative of a voyage to the Spanish Main"

This was about as pleasant a day as could be asked for if such a day had to include a long Interstate highway drive and getting a flat tire at 75 mph.

This morning I woke Ms Hollie up at first light to walk out of our hotel to the beach and watch the sunrise over the ocean. Flocks of pelicans and at least 2 species of gulls abounded, a number flying and frolicking within 2 meters of us.

We drove north up the peninsula. I pulled over safely as the tread seperated on the one tire that's more than 13 months old (my last tire that predated Katrina, with only a few roofing nail patches). After getting the luggage out of the trunk, I found that somehow I had no lug wrench with the jack equipment. Hollie didn't have one either. Fortunately the friendly Florida Highway Patrol did.

We made it to St. Augustine at dusk, and succeeded in finding a conveniently located place in the old town-- a very nice B & B & B (Bed, Breakfast, and Broadband). We're pampering ourselves a little before going back home to Debrisville. We had dinner at "Havana Village Cafe", a good Cuban place with excellent mojitos.

Our bed has that electromechanical firmness control thingie like Garrison Keilor talks about, so we're going to check that out.