Day 13

Good morning, Tallahassee! They say the Florida sun is hot. Especially Christelle tried to tell me that but I had a plan (like I often do for many things) to beat the heat. Nothing was going to stop me. So I had a glass of water for breakfast and decided to head out for a brief run. I had mapped out a nice route to a nearby park and back. Laced up the sneakers and hit the road around 8:30 am. Sun was still low and the air cool (25C) but very humid (~97%). The first mile went flying, during the second it started getting a bit wet and hot. Third mile and I was looking for a nice route back, fourth mile and I cursed the sun, and finally the fifth mile and I almost collapsed behind Mike and Christelle's door. Son of a beach, the sun was hot indeed! Life wasn't any easier since I did not have any water with me (I have not carried the hydration belt since last year's marathon). Looking like a wet dog who had just swam across the English Channel I sheepishly made it back in while the others, except the early bird Mike, were still eating breakfast. I quietly tried to finish the Tallahassee water supply by drinking as much as the faucet would give me. See Christelle, the sun is not THAT hot. The morning "beat the heat" escape was finished with the cold leftover oatmeal and half a yoghurt from Wilmer. Thanks bud!
- - - - - - - -
The day's first family activity was Wakulla Springs, one of the largest and deepest freshwater springs in the world. The Spring flows up and out from an underground river at a rate of over 400,000 gallons per minute. Even at its deepest point of 185 feet, objects are oftentimes visible near the bottom because of the very clear water. The older audience might find this a fascinating detail: several of the early Tarzan movies starring Johnny Weissmuller, as well as the Creature from the Black Lagoon, Airport 77 and Joe Panther were filmed on location at Wakulla Springs. We took a boat ride to see the multitude of animals inhabiting the "lagoon". Wilmer was excited beyond control when he was watching the big fish swimming in the water and the numerous alligators that were tanning themselves. (Those suckers can move quick when food is close!) The day at the park was completed by a walk at the beach. The spring water was surprisingly cold. Great place to visit. I feel like Tarzan!

- - - - - - - -
After a mandatory rest period (a.k.a. nap), we craved for some brain activity. What better place than the mecca of world class chemistry, Florida State University's Chemistry Department, where Mike is a successful professor occupying about half the building by himself. No wonder that he is the one with great success, there was nobody else there, it seemed! Regardless, Mike had some stimulating chemical activities for Wilmer in a form of a plastic glove, a piece of chalk, and a gator head. Lil' Cara in turn, was stimulating Christelle's milk production most of the time in Mike's lab. Of course a campus tour was in order and we have to say that FSU is a big school and their website boasts the following information: "Florida State's more than 40,000 students are dedicated to academic excellence and providing leadership in our complex world." Ha, another ACC university, Wake Forest, has had their number in football the past few seasons though.
- - - - - - - -
The long day was almost over. The only thing that remained was to unbox and set up the new exercise machine that was sitting in the garage. Of course nothing gets done if you are hungry so we threw a lavish pizza party first, complete with breadsticks, cinnamon sticks, and cheesecake to make sure the calorie intake was maximized. Somehow the installation was not just unboxing the thing, it took probably closer to 2 or 3 hours before it was said and done. (Bonus question: How many PhD:s does it take to set up an exercise machine?) Well, it was a bundle of fun, after few beers and two containers of lubrication anything is bound to turn that way, don't you think? To prove my point, see the picture to the right where Mike is lubing his rod with a crazy laughter. (Sorry Mike, I could not resist.) Good times. - Now we are anxiously waiting for the daily training blog to be published.