A day in St. Pete

The last time I was in St. Petersburg was in 1972 when I was 13. My grandparents retired and moved here, and that was the last time we visited them.

After picking up Beth and Scott's very lively and animated friend, Robin, we headed out for a personal tour of the area, which began at Fort DeSoto. This is one of the top beaches in the US.

We spent some time splashing around in the water, looking for shells, fish, and sting rays. This time of year is shagging (mating) season for them, and we were instructed to shuffle our feet to ensure we didn't accidentally step on them. It was so incredibly hot out there, and the water was so warm and clear.

After wandering around on the beach for awhile, we worked up quite an appetite, and ended up at a local seafood restaurant. After completely stuffing ourselves, we exited the restaurant to discover it pouring down rain. And I am not kidding... it was raining so hard it was difficult to see where we were going.

The rain put a bit of a cramp in our plans, but we found the trolley system in St. Pete kept us pretty dry... we made our way to the pier with the shops and a small aquarium that we wandered around in.

While we were at the pier, we spotted this floating church. Pretty funny. It is a floating chapel that can be rented for weddings. We all think this could be a hit on Lake Coeur d'Alene.

I spoke to my Uncle Frank and got the address of my grandparents house to see if we could find it. I had a lot of happy memories there with both of them. They lived on this large pond that folks used to fish in. I caught my first fish there. There was supposed to be an alligator in it, but I never saw it.

We plugged the address in Maggie, our GPS unit, but apparently the house is gone and nothing looked at all like I remembered it. Sigh...

Tomorrow we travel to the east coast of Florida and the Atlantic Ocean. More beaches... don't you feel sorry for us?

Party Florida style

Last night we got to meet Scott and Beth's friends, and find out just how much fun it is to have a party in San Antonio, Florida.

Funny how the party really got going when everyone left.

It is really hard work keeping up with this wild and crazy group.

And the beat goes on...

Now for the next ten...

We celebrated our 10th anniversary all together at this great little restaurant in Dade City: Kafe Kokapeli. It was a really nice evening full of witty toasts and good food. I had Swai, a mild white fish quite delicious broiled with a pumpkin seed vinaigrette. Had never heard of that fish before... it is compared to grouper.

Tonight, Beth and Scott have invited most of San Antonio (their little town just outside of Tampa) for a party here so we can meet everyone. I am looking forward to it.

ps. yesterday I learned what T.M.I. stands for: too much information. 

Just shaggin' through Florida

Ah, love is in the air!

We stopped for lunch at Harpoon Harry's in Punta Gorda on our drive up to San Antonio to meet Scott and Beth. A nice little spot in Fisherman's Village, and right on the water.

My new favorite word is "shag" or "shaggin'" or "just shag off" or "let's shag." It is such a good English word... covers all sorts of things.

So today is dedicated to the fine art of shaggin'... appropriate for our 10th anniversary.

More from the wetlands...

Charlie, the alligator, was quite the showman, but there was so much more in the Everglades than his kind.

As I mentioned before, the swamp buggy was an interesting vehicle. There was no doubt we were "down in the bayou" (some of the folks I think were descended from some of the characters in "Deliverance").

As we began our adventure into the wild grasses and water, we saw swamp lilies, remnants of an indian village (very small... our guide said most indian groups were made up of 3-4 people), air plants, bass swimming ahead of the buggy and disappearing into the muck, raccoons, loads of heron-type birds, the largest poisonous ivy vine I have ever seen, a huge cricket, spiders, and wild coffee.

Our guide on the swamp buggy filled us with information. He was a good guide, and unafraid of the swamp. He was prepared to hike back if the buggy broke down to retrieve the other to haul us back. I am very glad we didn't have to test that...

It couldn't have been a better day... a clear sky, no mosquitos, and picturesque scenery... did I mention no mosquitos...

The photos really speak for themselves.

This morning we are packing up to leave this gorgeous part of Florida. We are heading back up to Beth and Scott's. Stay posted... more wacky adventures to come!

The mighty hunters

We were in search of the ever-elusive alligator, and headed south towards Everglade City. The Everglades are expansive and gorgeous, very diverse, and full of gators and other wildlife.

Our adventure began on the swamp buggy, a funny looking bus with seats on the top and tall wheels.

Then we sped off on an airboat through the grasses and mangroves. There we spotted our first wild alligator. 

Search, spot, wrestle, and...

The mighty hunter!

The high for the day!

Is that really coffee in those cups?

With the steam rising off the hot tub, Ann and I couldn't resist hopping in for a morning soak before taking off on new adventures today. But the guys aren't so sure we aren't drinking something other than coffee... I guess only we know for sure.

Today we are off to the Everglades. It is a gorgeous morning... not a cloud in the sky, and we are anxious for some fun today, having no idea what to expect, but hoping at least for an alligator sighting. The alligator is much like the "mythical moose" to Allen the last time they visited North Idaho. Until we see one, we aren't totally sure they exist. He finally saw his moose at the end of their trip... I hope we don't have to wait that long for the gator.

Since last night was pouring down rain, we postponed our dolphin sunset boat trip until tonight. Then we are going out on the town in the old part of Naples... now our favorite hangout here.

It sounds like the weather gods have decided to cooperate with us from now on. The days should be sunny and warm... hot for us... but we are, after all, in sunny florida.