I.C. Sharks Seafood Market and Tiki Bar

View from the Tiki bar

After our hot trek through the Preserve, I was ready for a beer and lunch. Bob had read about a restaurant in the general location of the Gandy Bridge, but didn't remember the name. That turned out to be only a minor issue, as we drove past what looked like a busy restaurant so figured that must be it.

Bob was equal to the challenge of turning around on Gandy Boulevard and we were soon at what turned out to be the Getaway Bar, which we thought was I.C. Sharks Seafood Market and Tiki Bar.  A unique characteristic of the restaurant is the absence of an onsite restaurant, so food is supplied by food trucks. Not very fast. However, our server did check in frequently, with profuse apologies.

The slow service was OK with us, as the location is beautiful and the drinks were good. We shared a basket of chips and dip, which arrived almost as late as the food. I had forgotten that today is Friday and mistakenly ordered a pulled pork sandwich to share with Bob.

By the time we got home, we were tired and ready for a cool dip in the pool.



Weedon Island Preserve

View from lookout at Weedon Island Preserve

Jim and Sonia (Snowbirds #3) arrived yesterday afternoon after spending the day at the Dali Museum and viewing the Chihuly Collection at the Morean Arts Center. This morning we headed toward the Gandy Bridge to visit Weedon Island Preserve. The day was warmer than we've experienced so far and even the short loop to the observation tower was a little hot. But so worth the trip! The view was lovely and serene, rather than spectacular.

Nesting mourning doves

I heard a noisy woodpecker in a far away tree and loved watching the near shore birds in a shallow lake. It was lovely to see two quiet little mourning doves nesting in the low branches, barely discernible because of effective camouflage. The most exciting sighting was in a distant tree, as a large osprey devoured a big fish. Jim captured a great shot of the bloody repast, which I'm hoping he'll share.