About That Strange Rumbling Noise...

 Cape Coral residents were briefly alarmed on Monday morning by a strange rumbling noise, at almost exactly 8 am. The serene waters of our swimming pools splashed about, ice cubes rattled in drinks, and shadows danced as crazily as the palm fronds that cast them. Alarmed neighbors called to each other from their boats or across backyard canals, trying to identify the source of the unusual noise.  

What could it be?

The obvious culprit - thunder - was ruled out immediately. Any SW Floridian school child can tell you that rain comes only in the summer and only between the hours of 2 and 4 pm, providing just enough water to maintain our lush greenery before moving on. Sure enough, the sky remained as crystal blue as ever, stretching from horizon to horizon with only a few small, puffy clouds for decoration.  

What could it be?

Hesitant and almost fearful, we turned on our televisions and looked to the news for guidance. But the news made no mention of any disturbance. There was the weather report (sunny), the crime report (empty), and political coverage (the mayor has been spotted wearing a Seminoles t-shirt, scandalizing FGCU fans in his constituency). There was no mention at all of the unexplained noise that had disrupted our morning naps.

What could it be?

Finally, near the end of the broadcast, we got our answer.  That morning, at precisely 8 am, The Boathouse had reopened. The sound we heard was the stampede of other Cape Coral residents rushing to enjoy food and drink in one of our favorite waterside locations:

And, honestly, can you blame them?