2/1/2015
The scent from the kitchen kicked my morning appetite into overdrive. Cinnamon French toast seemed to be floating in the air. Breakfast at the Hilton Garden Inn was fantastic. We were treated to omelets made to order. I shared a spinach omelet with my mother as a starter. I continued to return to the buffet for several different items. Followed my omelet with a light, flakey, custard tart pastry. The pastries were tasty but really I needed something that would provide me with ample fuel for the day. Two large pancakes with butter and syrup gave me that punch.
On the Tamiami trail, I ran from one nicely manicured community to the next. The buildings and communities looked like perfect life size models. I knew the area was a hot spot for golf and tennis so my surroundings weren’t much of a shock. The wide road had continuous sidewalks for miles and miles. I ran right past a huge shopping complex called Coconut Point. On the road, I heard a honk. Crystal was yelling, “Jump in!” I had no idea the manager of the Friday’s, Joanne, had agreed to feed me and the crew for lunch.
My stomach felt empty already even after the huge breakfast. Our server Courtney offered plenty of suggestions and gave us service with a smile. I started the meal with a spinach artichoke dip and ended it with a brownie topped with a scoop of vanilla ice cream. In between I had a craft beer, cheese burger with a black bean patty. I read that the meal was prepared with a generous amount of jalepeno yet I threw caution to the wind.
After my previous bouts with spices and running I should have known better. When the ladies had taken off towards Naples the heat from the peppers picked a fight with my digestive track. A burning sensation slowed my running to a walk. After a few minutes I picked up the pace but the burning seemed to push its way toward my throat. The routine continued well into Naples. But, when I reached the Staybridge Inn and Suites, my fortune took a turn for the better. The hotel had a bubbling hot tub that was empty due to the super bowl. I took my place in the soothing cauldron and discovered that I could enjoy the competition from the tub. Several televisions above their outdoor bar were in my direct line of sight. I let myself unwind for the duration of the game then decided to take advantage of the complimentary washing machines. Of course I also had to do some work on the computer. When all was said and done, I had a pile of dry clothes but, I didn’t have the energy to fold them. It just had to wait.
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