Have you seen Mark Flander's newly posted article, Is ActiveRain real life? 

Well the secrets now out of the bag. The rumors are true - after his accident and surgery, David Podgursky told me that drastic action was needed to help Mark Flanders get back on this feet.  We decided that Mark needed a tropical environment to help speed the needed healing. Having been through several car accidents myself, I could relate and so we invited Mark Flander's (ok so we actually got aka Flat Mark :-)) to spend some R & R time here with Jack & I in Clearwater, Florida.  

Flat Mark agreed to come but only under one condition - the details of this trip MUST be kept secret until he got back. So I know all his friends are happy to see him back "dancing in the rain"  - and now I can tell you the rest of the story.

Here are the details of the ABC plan that facilitated Flat Mark's quick and speedy recovery....

•(A)  is get an Appointment for an Adjustment and Massage. Knowing Flat Mark was coming and we were determined to get him into the best chiropractor for auto accident recovery in Clearwater, Florida. 

Flat Mark was thrilled to find out that he was getting treated to the royal treatment by the auto accident / sports medicine chiropractor in Clearwater, Florida known for real results - Dr. Greg Dokka of Clearwater Spine and Rehabilitation.

 If you have neck or back problems there's no one else you should go to! He achieves amazing results (I should know he's helped me through 2 auto accidents in the last year - for the record neither was my fault) 

Dr Dokka's got a secret healing accelerator and her name is "Ms. Martha" - the Clearwater massage therapist with magic hands. You can see she worked her magic on Flat Mark.

•(B)   is hit the Beach - Clearwater Beach, Florida- named "Best City Beach on the gulf of Mexico"  This is the most natural medicine I know.

We got there around sunset on Saturday evening which also happened to be Cinco De Mayo and there's nothing as healing as: taking in the salt air, relaxing  sounds of the waves approaching the shore and the tranquility of the most beautiful sunsets.

I knew Flat Mark was really feeling better when he asked to borrow a local's "metal detector" - he was heard saying "I just know there's money to be found on Clearwater Beach" - oh it's good to know our talented Mortgage Professional could "smell the money" again ...

At that moment I knew we'd crossed over from the "physically & spiritually flattened man" that arrived on Thursday - we witnessed Flat Mark find his groove. The night was young which leads me to part (C) of Flat Mark's recovery plan.

•(C)   is bring on the Cocktails & Cinco De Mayo- Flat Mark said he was ready to really take in the Clearwater Beach nightlife and wanted to visit one of our favorite hangouts, Frenchy's Rockaway Grill- in honor of Cinco De Mayo we drank margaritas, ate crab cakes and enjoyed the local band and atmosphere. As you can see Flat Mark made lots of new friends. I have to tell you Jack was a good sport but he was definitely out of his comfort zone. Everyone knew we were there to make Flat Mark's visit special and they all accomodated - the bar tender even gave Mark a special "shot".    

Frenchy's Rockaway Grill is a local and tourist favorite and was just named home of the "Best Grouper Sandwich" in Tampa Bay - Flat Mark took advantage of this fun, laid back beach atmosphere. I caught him hitching a ride in a "Woody" and even "catching a wave" too. Tell me he's not feeling better. 

Flat Mark made friends where ever he went - of course who wouldn't enjoy Mark.! Life is good in Clearwater Beach, Florida - Tell me this isn't a great place to relax and have fun!

Finally,we got Flat Mark souvenir hat from the "Love Shack" to remember this special visit with us - He told us that Cinco De Mayo will always remind him of his recovery in Clearwater Beach, Florida

 As you can see Flat Mark found this R & R trip to Clearwater Beach, Florida definitely agreed with him with so many Things to do in clearwater. We helped him pack and he was last seen singing "Happy Trails" as he heads cross country to Aurora Colorado to visit fellow Active Rain member Ray Saenz. (And I thought that Rich Jacobson was the singing one of the two :-))

P.S. I did share with him I had a safety tip for him - try riding IN THE CAR! So if you live between here and Colorado - please keep your eyes open for Flat Mark.  

OMG - I can't believe I missed this before - must have been too many margarita's but the front of the cap reads "No Cry Babies" - How perfect!!! I hope Mark enjoys it - it may help as he moderates here on AR. 

One final note, many of you know that I have not had the priviledge of getting to know the "real Mark Flanders" due to his recent accident - but I look forward to getting when he returns and hope this is one small way that he knows he's making an impact on our community even when he's Recouping and Recovering. We wish him a full and speedy recovery & we did send him home with a hat to remind him he's always got 2 friends in Clearwater, FL 33767-   And Mark - the hat's in the mail on it's way to you! :-)