Mar 9: Best To Come

This is the beginning of the best. South Florida's most perfect weather. I was thinking about that on Monday when I awoke to a morning of nearly cloudless skies and temperatures in the 70s. From now through at least the end of April (and sometimes weeks longer), this should be pretty much the norm around here. I've always found that our late-winter through mid-spring period brings the kind of days that I most enjoy, meteorologically speaking anyway. No need for air conditioning, no need to close windows. Just an ideal climate - the time of year when I would plan to visit if I didn't already live in greater Fort Lauderdale. And the time of year when, as a lucky resident, I am least likely to travel anywhere else.

As my Monday began, I bounded out for a brisk early walk. I soon found myself recalling the lyrics to a famous old song that insists, "The best is yet to come." Not to sound all Pollyanna about life or anything, but it's hard not to feel that way on such mornings. I marched energetically down the street from my condo, legs and arms swinging, and I became aware of a fairly large smile on my face.

How can you not smile in this weather? There is something about the South Florida air in the springtime. It's not hot, but it's not cold either. It feels ... fresh. There is just enough warmth and humidity for comfort, just enough snap to be invigorating, like the faintest whisper of a cool breeze coming through the intense sunshine. In any case, I was loving it as I tooled off around my neighborhood. I walked down the middle of the street for a while, heading toward the marina nearby and the big boats tied up there. Strolling more slowly along the dock, I noticed yachts from all over - from South Carolina and the Hamptons in New York, from Minnesota and even from Australia. Each of them here at just the right time, waking up to perhaps the best weather in the United States at the moment. Smart travelers, these folks. I stopped at the water's edge long enough to watch a boat coming in from the Intracoastal or maybe from the sea, shielding my eyes from the low sun that glared off the water. I picked up my pace again then, heading past the rows of tidy waterside homes back to my place. A pot of strong coffee was waiting for me and I felt ready, happily ready, to face my busy week. Spring in South Florida can make you feel that way.