Snowbirds Everywhere

Theresa and I went to our huge flea market on Sunday and were amazed at the licence plates on the cars. For every Florida plate there were five or six from out of state. Nearly every state was represented and a few Canadian ones as well.Crowds pushed their way through the isles in search of those bargains. Watches, jewellery, golf equipment and all sorts of items from China made a scene like no other on market day.The fruit and vegetables are displayed outside but the thousand or more booths inside made the greatest impact.

The food courts with specials like alligator tail and boiled peanuts gave a fragrance that, mixed with the sweating throng gave you the urge for outside with fresh air and sunshine. Still the allour of this market makes it an attraction for all who visit Southwest Florida.

Leaving and entering the market is in itself a feat as the parking lots are crowded and with the main roads filled to capacity it is difficult and dangerous just getting there. The local radio stations harp on the fact that since the snowbirds are here you have to put up with waiting lines at the restaurants, white headed people crowding the left lanes and accidents caused by folks who should not be driving. The way I see it is snowbirds are the lifeblood of Florida. They use few services like schools and pay into the state coffers every time they  turn around.

There is something different when you look over a crowd in public places and all you see is a sea of white hair or no hair at all. These are the people who make Florida and all sunshine states viable. People come for the sunshine and the beaches. There has not been a credible study completed but rumour has it that people who share their time in Florida with their northern home live longer. I don't know for sure but I hope it is true.