In Pursuit of a Bagel

One of the best bagel stores in the world is located in my town. Open seven days a week all year, the place is a community fixture and go-to hotspot for coffee, bagel sandwiches, and fresh bagels to take home and load with cream cheese and smoked fish, chicken, tuna, or egg salads, or whatever your favorite toppings might be. 

Because bagels have 250-350 calories before any garnish, depending on their size, and since they are carbs, I limit my bagel intake. But occasionally I splurge on a bagel for breakfast.

On a dark, gray, rainy weekend morning, I ventured out for fresh bagels. I left the house without realizing the amount of rain that fell overnight. I failed to consider how steady rains create huge puddles and block roads around town. I forgot about the traffic on summer weekends. And I didn’t think about the challenges of climate change on a barrier island.

I walked out of the house, sprinted to my car, and faced the first obstacle at the end of my block. A puddle of unknown depth. But I was on a mission, so gently maneuvered through.

I turned onto what appeared a clear side road and continued to the main street without incident. Cars drove too fast, splashing water and creating havoc. But I joined the procession. 

A few minutes later I approached my destination but faced a dilemma. Where to park? Curbs were flooded, and the limited clear areas were full of parked and double-parked cars. Rain pounded my windshield and I could not see vacant parking spaces. I drove on, finally turned into a side street and turned around again, driving back onto the main street in the opposite direction.

I finally found a spot three blocks from the bagel shop, parked, and walked as fast as I dared, hoping not to fall, as pools of water almost reached my knees.

I reached the store, opened the door and encountered a chaotic scene. The place was jam-packed. Folks pulled drinks from shelves, poured coffee, opened refrigerator doors, and grabbed containers of cream cheese, salads, cut veggies, and smoked fish. In the middle of the small shop, displayed on shelves and side counters, fresh-made sandwiches, wrapped in aluminum foil, awaited hungry hands. Folks grabbed cookies and pieces of cake, wrapped in one-serving packages, as they stood in line. Clerks took orders and filled brown paper bags with a variety of bagels as folks handed their cash or credit cards to a cashier. The line moved quickly and a few minutes later I escaped with my purchase of two bagels, a whole wheat everything and an egg bagel.

I attempted to avoid the temporary lakes on the road as I drove home. My sneakers drenched, my hair and T-shirt wet, I was one bedraggled soul. I changed clothes, dried my legs, brewed a cup of hot coffee, and settled down to enjoy my bagel breakfast.

Next time I want bagels I will check the weather before venturing outside. If it’s raining I will stay home and make eggs for breakfast.