Mississippi to Florida then Back Again

  I've been busy with life as of late. To finally sit down and write without having people all around me feels a bit foreign. But here's what the last few weeks have looked like: I discovered some lovely places and satisfying coffee, and I took a four day trip to Florida. I'll start with Florida...

  I went down to work at a fancy smancy conference down in Bonita Springs. It was held at a Regency Hotel. The type of place where the fountains are as big as the pools and and the pools have fountains in them... so you never can 100% tell the difference. Even though I didn't get to stay at the hotel, I enjoyed wandering around the various shops and gardens. But when everything is so over priced just for the heck of it, I wonder if it's actually better or just a pretty scam. I mean, I liked the coffee. It had a nice flavor and was dark enough for me, which is saying something. In truth, though, the five star coffee wasn't any better than a five dollar bag of coffee from Target. Over priced coffee annoys me. It's like paying for a hug. Sure, its still good but there's no reason to make it so expensive when it isn't any different. Don't get me wrong, I'm okay with expensive coffee if it's worth it. But it needs to really be worth it, otherwise just go to the grocery store and get a bag or can of it. (As long as it's not Folgers, of course.)

  To be honest, I am a coffeehouse critic (this you may already know). I mean it all in love but I tend to pick apart the decor choices, drink choices, grind choices, even the table clothe choices. You can imagine how delightful it was when I stepped into The Depot Coffeehouse I didn't find anything wrong. I instantly loved it. The drink choices were diverse yet classic. The Decor was simple but artsy. The downstairs was bright and conducive to lunch dates and friendly conversation while the upstairs was darker and cozy, great for studying or brainstorming. And the coffee they use is Counter Culture, which is a brand I have come to like since my brother bought me a bag for my birthday this past year. I truly look forward to going back someday and cross my fingers in hopes that I will be able to find more as so-close-to-perfect as it again. Cheers to the owners and decorators!
 
  Either this is a good coffee town or it's been my lucky week because just down the road from The Depot is T-Bones Records and Coffee. Half the place is an indie rock looking coffeehouse and the other half is an indie record(yes, actual records) and cd shop. I tried to buy a Miles Davis cd but they were all out. Amyway, the coffee was smooth and fit the scenery. The

whole place felt...mellow, if I dare use that word. And the company I had wasn't bad either. :D

   I am very grateful that I have had productive travels these past weeks. Today I arrived near Memphis and I look forward to what aroma's and brews and shops and adventures wait here for me.

  Stay caffeinated, my friends!