One of my friends is heading out of town this weekend, off to Key West for a convention. Last week we set up a meeting for tonight at the nail salon. She had never been to this particular salon, but it's where I always go when I need a mani-pedi (not that I always go when I need one/both, but if I do, this is where I go). After our pampering treat, we decided we were hungry. We had both come from work and hadn't eaten anything, so I suggested a place at the other end of the shopping center. As many times as I've been to that nail place, I had never paid attention to what else was there, other than a branch of the tax collector's office. (In Florida, that's where everyone has to go to get car tags and drivers' licenses.)
In walking to the restaurant, we passed an "eco-friendly dry cleaner". I've heard of such things, but I had no idea we had them here. Good to know. There is also a cupcake bakery; we didn't stop in. We were both set on getting burgers. As we got closer to the restaurant, we walked by a Fred Astaire Dance Studio. We both commented that we'd enjoy taking dance lessons. No one was inside, but it looked like a nice place. Because the weather was pleasant -- balmy with a light breeze -- we chose a table outdoors. I suppose we should have known from the name (Wipe-Outs) that it might be a rowdy joint, especially on Jaguars game night. While we were talking, we were suddenly drowned out by about five Harleys that arrived at the same time and parked near where we were sitting. That was a little annoying, but as my friend said, if we were bikers we'd probably be out enjoying the weather too.
The food was surprisingly good. I'm not sure why I was "surprised". A lot of places at the beach leave and others take their places. I hadn't been to this place before, but that doesn't mean it's new. I'm pretty sure a seafood restuarant was there until fairly recently, by which I mean the past two years. I don't know. I was noticing nearly everything in the strip mall for the first time. Anyway, as we neared the end of our meal, I pointed out to my friend that the dance studio had filled up. We had a great time watching the couples dance. The ladies' dresses twirled and swirled as they did . . . whatever dance they were doing. (I don't know a lot about dances.)
This was a crazy-busy week for me and for my friend -- separately -- and it couldn't have wrapped up better. And beautiful evening near the beach, fresh breeze, mani-pedis, a good walk, discovery of new places, a good meal and dancers through a window -- and, to cap it all off, some flirting with a cute biker who just walked up to our table. Sometimes everything falls into place just right. And it's pretty good.
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