Ten minutes to write. Less time to read.

One reason we come here to Duck Key is so I can swim every day. But just like home, there are schedules to consider. Up north I navigate the times between the aqua classes and the lessons for little children. I study the calendar for free swim times. ‘Free swim’ is shorthand for “You can do laps unless something else is scheduled.”

Here at Duck Key it’s a little less structured. At the same time, I am usually in the pool around 8 AM and swim until 9 AM. I don’t wear a watch, but the calypso music comes on at 9 AM, so I always know when I’ve done my half hour to forty minutes. Additionally, around the time the music starts parents come with their children to splash and scream and jump into the middle of the action. It’s my time to retreat.

I head to the cafй and a Starbucks® latte, knowing that tomorrow things will be less busy. Because tomorrow is Monday and the resort depends on weekends, while I plan to swim every day that we’re here.