Leverock's

We would never have gone to Leverock's on our own. In fact, we had never even heard of the restaurant until the owner of our condo gave us a Leverock's gift card to welcome us to Florida.

We had no idea of the gift card amount and figured it must be about $25.00. Today seemed to be a good afternoon to visit the restaurant, especially because we had just seen a large print ad that made the food look very appealing.

The drinks were weak but inexpensive. The small loaf of bread is served with a seasoned olive oil dipping sauce, not great but good. The clam chowder was definitely the best I've ever had in Florida, and maybe the best anywhere.

Bob ordered the fish trio, a kind of casserole topped with spinach. It must have been good because he ate every bite. I had the fish tacos, topped with fresh salsa and served with a side of rice and black beans. Delicious.

Our bill was a little over $42.00 and we discovered that the gift card was for $50.00. We left the difference and another $2.00

Indian Rocks Beach Nature Preserve

Indian Rock Beach Nature Preserve

I seek out new nature preserves wherever we go, and have been to many in Florida. They're all different, some good, some less so. My favorite after all these years is still Merritt Island Wildlife Refuge, where I saw my first roseate spoonbill. I was able to identify it using a bird identifier I bought at the gift shop, and was so thrilled with the sighting that I secretly and tentatively headed down the birder path.

Indian Rocks Beach Nature Preserve intrigued me because of its boardwalk extending all the way from Gulf Boulevard to Boca Ciega Bay. I was promised a wide variety of wildlife, including green herons and manatees, so I was imagining many new photo ops.



This little northern cardinal sang a familiar spring song

We would have missed the turn-off if Bob hadn't spotted it with his keen eye. While the spectacular sightings I had hoped for didn't materialize, we loved the serene setting and the beautifully constructed boardwalk. The old wood structure seems to be undergoing replacement with a man-made product, which is easy and "springy" to walk on.

We stopped to look at a blue crab that seemed to be scarfing down little minnows and saw a northern cardinal, but that was about it. We sat quietly for awhile by Boca Ciega Bay and lazily made our way back to our vehicle. We are both quite urban, so leaves brushing against our legs made us jump a little, as did walking under the canopy of hanging branches. I couldn't help imagining tree snakes.

We met only a few others on the boardwalk, including a man and his elderly mother. The park is a restorative oasis in the very busy Pinellas county.

Leaky Pipe

Under the kitchen sink. Now I know where the tub cleaner is!

Oh oh. It was too good to last. I was cleaning up the kitchen and the mat in front of the sink slipped like a body board on mud when I stepped on it. When I picked up the mat, I saw about 1/8" of water on the floor and notified the husband -- his department, not mine. This kind of incident always leads to some kind of interrogation and blaming, but I really didn't do anything wrong so felt that I was off the hook.
We picked through the stuffed broom closet for a bucket and mop and removed everything from under the sink. Fortunately, that area is relatively uncluttered so the job was not too difficult. Bob located the source of the leak and put a pot underneath. The pipe dripped for awhile, then stopped until Bob tried the kitchen faucet and the drips began again.

The guy on the right fixed the pipe

The temporary solution seems to be to avoid using the kitchen sink -- glad I don't have to get up during the night to change the drip collector. Bob, who usually does his own repairs, is lamenting the absence of a wrench and other tools. He left a message with the office, closed until tomorrow.

Wednesday, March 19: one of the maintenance guys knocked loudly on the door shortly after 9:00 a.m. and promptly diagnosed a separated "P-trap pipe", blaming old plumbing which has not been replaced when cosmetic "upgrades" were made. He also removed a piece of plastic (looked like a small corner of a shelf support) from the garbage disposal, thereby eliminating the racket that scared me into avoiding its use.

Gulfport Afternoon

View of the beach from Gulfport Pier

We haven't been back to Gulfport since our first year in St. Pete Beach, when we must have visited a rather depressed part of town, and didn't stay long. Today Bob wanted to go back after his conversation with yesterday's bar companions at Woody's, who highly recommended the area.

We drove toward the water on one of the major through streets (Beach Avenue?), past stalls of new age type products, as well as fruits, vegetables, seafood, arts and crafts. We were lucky and found a parking spot right in front of O'Maddy's, one of the many eating establishments looking on the bay.

O'Maddy's for lunch

We walked out on the pier to wash the fishing and were almost surprised to see Don Cesar's across the water, and by straining a little, we saw our own condo complex.  It was already after 1:00 p.m., and O'Maddy's seemed inviting, so we stopped for lunch. Bob had the corned beef and cabbage that went unsold because of yesterday's weather, and I ordered the lobster risotto.

Both were good but much too salty. I've been spoiled by Jim Kohler's perfect risotto at Luci Ancora in St. Paul, so I was a little critical of what seemed like lumpy rice, served with chunks of asparagus, bacon and large slivers of parmesan. Worth ordering, though.

The two-dollar beers were cold and good. I'm acquiring a taste for Yuengling, though I think I'd prefer the Black & Tan to the lighter tap beer I've been drinking. I got a little too much soon today and am relaxing in the cool apartment as the day begins to fade.

St. Patrick's Day at Woody's Waterfront

Carl Fuerstman at Woody's Waterfront on St. Pat's Day

We've spent many St. Patrick's Days in Florida, and most of them have been very hot. I remember seeking shade on March 17th, occasionally thinking wistfully of a cold Minnesota St. Pat's Day.

We woke to wind and spitting rain, and soon heard thunder in the distance, so I had no morning swim. I did get to watch manatees, though, and shared a spot on the wall with a great blue heron. By mid-morning,  there was no visibility across Boca Ciega Bay or to the Gulf across the street. Sheets of rain kept us from venturing out until mid-afternoon.

The St. Patrick's Day festivities in most Gulf communities were a literal washout. We stopped for lunch and a beer at Woody's Waterfront, where the beer and appetizers were cheap and good. Bob made friends with Michigan snowbirds John and Carol, and I enjoyed listening to Carl Fuerstman, whose repertoire was mostly non-Irish but good.

The storm seems to have dissipated and I'm hoping for an evening swim.

Manatees: 2014 Update

A Florida manatee

Last year's Red Tide killed so many of Florida's state marine mammal, the manatee.

I was almost surprised to see manatees in the inlet outside our condo complex, and delighted to note that mating season seems to be in full swing. I was the first watcher this morning shortly before 8:00, but soon a crowd gathered to watch what was described by those around me as "playing". Maybe so.

Whatever the enthusiastic activity, the 4 or 5 manatees seemed to be in noisy good health as they frolicked in the water.

Feels like Minnesota Tornado Weather

Sunday evening, Tampa Bay was white capping on either side of the Howard Frankland Bridge as we drove to TPA. The bridge was closed for awhile when Hurricane Isaac delayed the start of the Republican National Convention in August 2012. I seem to remember pictures of surf on the bridge, but that may just be my imagination.

Stocking up on fish before a storm

I was thinking about Tampa Bay tourist literature promises un "360 days a year", and perhaps that's true, but I'm more inclined to believe a different metric: 2920 annual hours, or  two-thirds of a possible total. Today feels like the Twin Cities during the height of Tornado season. It was almost oppressively warm during the night, when winds began to gust.

This morning, I held on to a lamp post when I was taking pictures beside the bay. I would not be optimistic about my chances of getting fished out of Boca Ciega Bay. I would have to swim a yucky 25 yards or so to the ladder on the dock, enough of a deterrent to keep me both vigilant and sober.

Tornado warnings seem to be for elsewhere in this part of Florida, but the air is oppressive and the wind is howling.

48 Hours

How can the weekend have gone by so quickly? Chris was with us for a little less than 48 hours -- I think the first vacation with the three of us alone in about 10 years, since our trip to New York City in 2004.

Land's End on a Windy Day

As always, the pool and hot tub were major activities. The weather was very warm yesterday, so we swam early, but today was windy and we didn't hit the water until about noon.

A couple of new restaurants with Chris: lunch at The Toasted Monkey, which John had wanted to visit, and dinner at The Oyster Shucker, not far from The Sloppy Pelican where we've had a couple of meals in the last few weeks.

The chips and salsa at TTM were fantastic, but we were disappointed not to be seated at the beach bar. You had to park on the opposite site of Gulf Boulevard to get a spot on the beach, and I wasn't prepared to brave my way across traffic on this busy Saturday.

We really enjoyed the Oyster Shucker, where Chris' crab legs were great. Bob and I shared sesame seed encrusted tuna, which I confess I heartily disliked. Bob ordered it "medium", and I had the feeling I was eating raw fish, so found it difficult to enjoy. The drinks were cheap and good. Service was fast and efficient.

Chris and Bob on the beach

Yesterday we couldn't find a parking space on the beach so we went back to Pass-a-Grille today and had lunch -- once again -- at Sea Critters. Had clam chowder, the best I've had on the beach so far, but I think I'm tiring of the famous margaritas made with fresh squeezed lime juice. After lunch, we did some people watching as the surf crashed on the beach.

We dropped Chris off at TPA and it's hard to believe it's back to just two of us, for another couple of days.

Snowbird #2

Friday was a transition day, as temperatures slowly began to rise from the sixties. We spent the afternoon in the pool with fellow northerners from Wisconsin, Toronto and Ottawa, several of whom we know from previous years.

In the early evening, we went to TPA (Tampa International Airport) to pick Chris up. His Spirit Airlines flight was a few minutes early and we drove home at sunset. The beach was surprisingly quiet for a Friday evening.

The three of us talked in the kitchen until after eleven. This morning, we were in the pool and hot tub by 9:00 a.m. Lunch out in a few minutes.

Boyd Hill Nature Preserve

I know this part of Florida better than my own back yard in Saint Paul, Minnesota. I can look at the GPS once or twice and remember the route to a new destination. Unremarkable for most people, but for me a near miracle.

Because of lost satellite communication, we did initially miss our turn to Boyd Hill Nature Preserve as we drove past the jungly neighborhood near St. Petersburg Country Club, which sounds upper crust but looks more like a public course. However, we could see the park beside the golf course and found the entrance easily. As we entered the nature preserve facility, I had the sinking feeling that I was once again among my new peeps, the spry elderly as well as earnest women of indeterminate age in outfits colored with natural dyes. One woman was decked in full naturalist regalia, including bug-proof stockings, sensible long skirt, hiking boots and safari hat with mosquito net.

In the coolness of the canopy

My heart sank when I saw the high efficiency toilets low to the floor. Should I have tried the stall for people with disabilities? I decided to attempt the descent to the seat, hoping that the poorly fastened lock on the door wouldn't pop open, leaving me to scramble desperately to make myself decent. No worries. All the exercises I've done in church since my knee replacements, practicing standing up from a sitting position without using my hands, have paid off. The low loos were a cinch.

Boyd Hill has a small aviary of injured birds of prey. The Boyd's Hill euphemism is that the bald eagle, hawks, owls and kestrel are "in training". While their enclosures are large and appropriate (I suppose) for birds that can't be released into the wild, seems to me these private creatures don't like being "on display" and I can't think of any educational purpose that couldn't be performed in some other way.

Coots should be in Minnesota soon

We signed up for the "tram tour", really a convoy of two 8-person golf carts. Our cart included Canadians from Toronto and Corner Brook, Newfoundland. The naturalist, Andrea from Arizona, waxed eloquent but maybe a little long on the five ecosystems in the park, but the tour was well worth our time.

I was thrilled to see a gopher tortoise, an alligator, and coots in the lake, preparing, I thought, for the long migration to Minnesota -- always a first sign of spring to me at Fort Snelling State Park. I was relieved that Bob enjoyed himself too, as these venues are "iffy", at best.

"Cold" Florida Day

I love a cold day in a warm climate.This is the kind of weather I really appreciated in my lifeguard days, now so far in the past that I wonder why I still feel like a teenager around any swimming area. Only diehard water lovers show up to swim -- easy watching for lifeguard staff.

At the Temiscaming waterfront,  "insiders" gathered in the lifeguard shack and played cards. The 6-8 evening shift, busy on a hot day, was often totally free, giving us the opportunity to swim ourselves.

The pool and hot tub were empty this morning after the 8:00 a.m. lap swimmers, an older couple who hit the pool early every day, had left the deck. Steam was rising from the water -- perhaps 88F or so -- and I felt enveloped by warmth as I stepped in from the 50F chill.

Another perfect day.

Pope Francis' First Year

Today is the first anniversary of Pope Francis'  pontificate. The Catholic News Service is all business in this story, but I rather like the secular press' memorable moments, including this item in the Huffington Post.

My own first reaction to the first Jesuit pope was that we would have yet another intellectual rattling off principles of canon law and Church doctrine. So happy I was wrong! I love the way Francis surprises us with his spontaneity and ability to reduce complex issues to language all of us can understand.

The pope's challenges to prosperous westerners make me feel a little guilty and uncomfortable, but I do appreciate his pope's energy, honesty and connection with people. And I love his anniversary tweet,"please pray for me".

Off to the Magic Kingdom

John and Trudy with Mitchell and Adam

Who knew our condo could be so quiet? Trudy, John and the boys were up before 7:00 and out of the house soon afterward. Not surprised that the bedroom and bath were left perfectly tidy ... but it's so empty!

The day is cloudy, with a little rain left over after last night's storm, noisy in the distance. I hope their weather at Disney World is like this. I have the idea that the Magic Kingdom is less populated on rainy days. Trudy wrote out an agenda, so that they can hit the highlights of the park in the one day they have.

Happy the Woodbury Hennesseys chose to spend so much of their Florida vacation with us, but sorry they had to leave so soon.

Good Cheer at Crabby Bill's

Here we are with Adam and Mitchell

Crabby Bill's is an mandatory stop for first-time visitors to St Pete Beach. We've been there several times and were impressed only by the restaurant's prime location on the beach. Large windows on the main floor provide beautiful views from any of the large picnic tables set up to accommodate family dining.

We opted to sit inside after being told of a 40-minute wait for the patio upstairs. Our drinks -- root beer for Adam and Mitchell, beer for John, scotch for Bob, margaritas for Trudy and me -- were delivered promptly. Maybe a little too promptly, as we missed reduced happy hour prices for some beverages on the first round.

John and Trudy

I'd never had soft shell crab before and felt a little squeamish staring at a sandy looking crab sitting on a roll with lettuce and tomato. However, the sandwich was delicious, as was most of the food. Bob looked woefully at his garlic mashed potatoes and overcooked baby carrots (which he says he didn't order as a side), so I gave him most of my fries and cole slaw in trade. The boys' pizza was enjoyed without complaint.

The video games keep kids occupied while adults finish their meals. Each of the boys selected a Crabby Bill's shirt as a souvenir as we left the restaurant. It was a fun, and last meal together but I felt a little sad, knowing our guests were leaving in the morning.

The Big Slide

The slide at TradeWinds

John told the boys they would each have to go down the TradeWinds Resort slide 20 times to reduce the unit cost per ride to $1.00. Sound familiar, Team Hennessey? They were on the slide early in the morning, before the sun got really hot, well ahead of the 40-minute lines that form in the afternoon.

John, Mitchell and Adam
 

We also enjoyed several of the pools while Trudy and Adam took a paddleboat ride on the "moat" that surrounds one of the buildings. John's sunglasses finally bit the dust when the cracked frame collapsed into so many pieces they were beyond repair. Bob insisted on getting him new shades on the spot.

After a couple of beers from the bar, everyone was tired and hungry, so walked back across the street to our own condo.

Lunch in St. Petersburg

Deserted St. Petersburg Pier

John, Trudy and the boys left early this morning for an airboat tour of the Florida Everglades. I did a small load of laundry and caught up on some chores until nearly noon. Bob and I drove into St. Petersburg by a different route (Pasadena to Gulfport-22nd Street, into DT St. Petersburg), because of the east bound lane closure on the Pinellas Byway between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m.

Lunch at the Parkshore Grill was inside rather than out, because of a 20-minute wait. No matter. Loved my pecan encrusted blue tilapia and spinach, but Bob's salmon with lemon caper sauce and thickish angel hair pasta didn't seem very appealing. I detest capers almost as much as olives, and the dish was full of them. Bob liked it well enough.

I was disappointed to see that the St. Petersburg Pier is deserted due to structural deterioration and the interior is vacant. Plans to re-open seem vague and lacking in support. We stopped at our favorite Vinoy Park to watch the fishing. No dolphins or manatees, but plenty of entertainment watching the pelicans try to steal fish. The afternoon felt a little chilly (68F or so) by the water so we headed home toward the end of the afternoon.

Family Values

Too bad the far right has hijacked the term "family values". I've thought about our family a lot over the last couple of days. As always, I remember the frequent claim of my high school chemistry teacher, Sylvio Guindon: "when you get married, you marry the whole family".

Yesterday evening, John and I were reminiscing about the early years after his dad and I were married in 1983. He and Mary were still teenagers at the time, and it was challenging for all of us to get used to the new dynamics of our "blended" family. There was adaptation for all parties: new wife for Bob, new adult in the house for John and Mary, new everything for me (unemployed with a new husband, instant family, foreign country, unfamiliar culture).

We've all done well nurturing our relationships and are proud of the family we all had a hand in creating -- Bob, his first wife, their children and spouses or partners, our son Chris, the grandchildren and great grandchildren. Our family may not be strictly "traditional" but our family values are intact, healthy and love affirming.

So happy we have family visitors during our Florida vacation!

Skyway Bridge Revisited

View of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge from the fishing pier

I never tire of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge and fishing pier. I blogged about it on our first visit to St Pete and we've been back at least once on every subsequent trip. The old bridge is a Florida state park where sportsmen -- and let's not forget women -- fish 24 hours a day. By mid-afternoon on Sunday, some of the people we talked to had been fishing since Saturday evening.

More fun than a visit by ourselves was introducing John, Trudy and the boys to the fishing pier. The day was spectacularly beautiful, sunny but not too hot. The pier was lined with people fishing, often with several lines in the water. I got out of the van a little early so that I could walk the last quarter-mile or so to the end of the pier.

Trudy Hennessey caught John with a big fish

As I walked along, I heard swearing in many English, Spanish, Russian and several Asian languages when a fish was lost or lines became tangled. The "serious" fishermen were at the very end of the pier, sometimes assisted in the landing process by a guy with a menacing grappling hook at the end of a long rope. The pelicans and other seabirds watched  carefully, ready for any tidbit of bait or rejected fish. Dolphins did their own fishing, near the pier and in the distance.

We stayed for an hour. One of the highlights: John posed for a picture with a large bonito (we heard "bonita") caught by a fisherman who struggled with it for fifteen or twenty minutes.

More photos on FB.

Marco Polo Where Are You?

The boys don't play "Marco Polo" any more.

We see Adam (12) and Mitchell (10) fairly often so their transformation from "little" to "big" boys isn't a total surprise. When they arrived yesterday, both were eager to try out the facilities so we all headed to the pool. It was fun to see the boy's improved strokes. In particular, Adam's front crawl was competent and fast.

We were in the pool again this afternoon and the boys played rough "boy" games with each other. They still wanted to perform "feats of skill" in the pool but the little kid games are in my memory bank of their childhood.

"Marco Polo" failed to make even a token appearance.

Minnesota Visitors Today

This morning at 4:15 Chris drove Trudy, John, Adam and Mitchell to the airport for their spring break junket with us in Florida. Their van will be at our house for a week. Turns out the early out wasn't necessary, because the flight to Orlando via Chicago left several hours late. They'll be arriving in Orlando soon, and still have a two-hour drive ahead of them in Friday afternoon rush hour.

Changed bed linen and cleaned the kitchen and both bathrooms. The tile floor could use a wash, and I think wistfully of Swiffer at home. We hit Publix for groceries and the liquor store for beer and wine.

The weather is a little cool and the pool deck is empty. I'm tempted to go swimming right now but I think I'll wait until our Minnesota visitors arrive.

A Rainy Day

Rainy Day on Boca Ciega Bay

Rain is falling steadily and thunder occasionally crashes like Sensurround around the bay. I'm not so happy with a day of rain on a one-week vacation, but it's enjoyable when we're here for a month. I missed my morning swim because of the threat of lightning, and didn't have to second guess myself after reading that a tornado is "possible". This doesn't feel like "tornado weather", so I'm not alarmed, though I do wonder about tornado safe spaces in this region, where basements seem non-existent.

One of our fellow condo residents decided to do a little fishing on the dock an hour or so ago. No rainwear, just a shirt and shorts. He made a few half-hearted casts and then packed up his rod and pick. He must have been soaking wet already, but he ran for cover anyway.

A few little projects today, including a trip to Wells Fargo to request new debit cards. I received an email from Wells Faro, indicating that new cards had been mailed to us. Apparently our numbers were among those compromised in the Target hack before Christmas. I had been a little uneasy anyway, knowing that I had used my card during the time the hack was executed, but since I monitor our WF checking account every day, I had decided to watch and see, for now at least. That option is off the table now. We're using a credit card for daily expenses, but sooner or later we'll need cash so the WF card is fairly important.

Frog Pond Breakfast

The locals are always lined up for breakfast at this popular spot on Gulf Boulevard, so I was happy to finally try The Frog Pond, south of the church on the beach side of the boulevard. Sure enough, it was full and some diners had clearly come in from Ash Wednesday services.

The host was taking names but two men ahead of us invited us to sit at their large round table. Sam, exactly my age, is retired from a furniture building business, in which he still has some kind of financial stake. In fact, his son is at trade show this week at Treasure Island Casino near Red Wing. John is a retired bartender who worked for 25 years at high end casinos in Las Vegas. He mentioned the "London Club", which has many online links but I'm not sure which is the right one. They were both entertaining table mates.

The portions at The Frog Pond are generous enough to keep me going all day. My Neptune Benedict was made with fake crab meat, and it was delicious. There was a "real" Crab Benedict on the menu, but I once had a bad experience with that dish, so I was ready to try the "wannabe" crab. Bob said his omelet was great and he especially liked what seemed to be homemade jelly.

Good breakfast, terrific coffee, attentive service, excellent company.

Ash Wednesday at the Beach

We arrived at St. John Vianney 15 minutes early for 8:30 Mass -- none too soon, as it turned out.

The large senior population was joined by teachers and students of the parish school, who took up about three-quarters of the pews. They filed in, row after orderly row. The youngest kids were matched up with older ones in the front of the church, a very well behaved crew dressed in khaki and plaid, with three colors  (green, gold, navy)  of regulation polo shirt. The colors didn't seem to be "coded", as distribution among the classes looked random.

Everything moved along quite quickly, and the homilist targeted his homily to the school crowd. I love the Ash Wednesday readings and the music was penitential in theme, but musically energetic. The deacon who pressed the ashes on my forehead did so with a little restraint, and they were covered by my bangs. Bob did not fare so well. The entire center of his forehead was covered with a greasy blob of black.  We were encouraged to leave the ashes on all day, but we're now sitting on the deck, ashless and perhaps somewhat subdued. It's early yet.

Mardi Gras on Pass-a-Grille

This morning we went to visit a golf course community on Isla del Sol just across the bridge from St. Pete Beach. The original idea was to look at a possible new vacation rental next year, but of course Bob ended up finding properties for sale. I really don't foresee a property purchase in our future, but it was kind of fun to look.



Land's End

We spent half an hour or so at my favorite spot in this area, Land's End at the tip of Pass-a-Grille, where Boca Ciega Bay meets the Gulf of Mexico. Shell searchers were out looking for treasures while fishermen (and birds) tried out their luck in the surf. I took a few pictures and simply sat on the bench looking out over the Gulf.

We had lunch at The Wharf and sat outside, after a short wait for a table. An older dad with his young, very blond son sat nearby. I thought the dad was a little strict with the child, but they seemed very connected and happy together.

Bob ordered the pulled pork sandwich and I had the fish special, Not great, but reasonably good. The afternoon was warm and sunny, but the sky was overcast after about  5:00 p.m. so we didn't cross the street to watch the sunset.

It's very dark now, shortly after 7:00 p.m.

John's Pass Watercraft Rentals

Personal watercraft have no brakes

The vehicle seems to find its way to Bob's favorite people watching boardwalk at John's Pass, Madeira Beach.

Walking along the boardwalk, I scanned the water for dolphins but other entertainment was nearby.  We watched renters return personal watercraft to a location on the dock. A guy on the dock shouted instructions at approaching renters, while another stood in water up to his shoulders, ready to catch the machines after they stopped.

The first rider followed instructions well, turning off the gas as instructed and pointing the little boat toward the shore. The second panicked a little as he approached the dock and either jumped or fell off, leaving the watercraft unattended for the JetSki guy to catch. The attendant on the dock yelled that he had never seen anyone fall off like that. Even I was too embarrassed to take a picture.

Making matters worse, the female rider followed her partner a few minutes later and made a perfect landing.

Dockside Fish Processing

Red snapper packed for shipping

We stopped on the boardwalk near to watch red snapper and grouper advancing on a conveyor belt from a fishing boat to a small packing operation on the shore. First, the fish were sorted and tagged, then moved to large cardboard boxes, similar in size to ones that would hold a major appliance, packed with ice.



Fish are packed between layers of ice

The fish were carefully placed in a tidy layer, followed by a layer of crushed ice, 
such that many layers of fish could be packed neatly in each box. Some containers were heavy plastic and packed the same way.

Several refrigerated trucks were loaded as various officials watched and signed paperwork. Fish manifests? I couldn't help thinking of scenes from various mafia movies, the kind with grappling hooks and body parts packed in ice.



Fresh frozen fish

New Construction

A lot of construction in the Tampa-St Pete area, one of many signs of an improved Florida economy. A decade or so ago, in the few years after 9/11, I saw a gradual decline in new construction each year in Florida, and the local impact seemed perilous, as old businesses closed and weren't replaced by new ones.

Most interesting to me  is the new  Pinellas Byway Pinellas Byway Bridge just north of historic Pass-a-Grille Beach. It's almost completed now, but yesterday eastbound traffic was rerouted most of the day.

I'm looking forward to taking my own pictures this week.

Facebook Album Photos

I can't seem to post the link as a "gadget".

These photos are public so anyone should be able to see them.

Healing Waters

Sunday afternoon on the gulf.

Water: simple, essential to sustain life. Symbolically rich in many religious traditions.

Yesterday, we sat in the sand beside the Gulf of Mexico, enjoying the chaotic crowd around us. Families were enjoying the sun and water, playing and eating together. I felt caught up in a multitude of lives as the sun began to sink into the water.



Solitude

Later, we had a light supper at home and I swam in the pool, alone to enjoy the light lap of small waves in Boca Ciega Bay beyond the resort property. The pool water has very little chlorine in it, and I wondered if the maintenance company uses modern sponge filters. I miss the distinctive odor of  chlorine on my skin -- it always smells like fun to me.

This morning I was back in the pool long before anyone else comes to enjoy it. After only a few days in Florida, I already feel refreshed and renewed.

Canon EOS Rebel T3 EOS 1100D

I bought a new camera a few days before we left on our trip. My goal is to learn how to use it fairly well before the end of our month here. I had been looking at the Canon Rebel for quite some time, and decided that Canon EOS Rebel T3 EOS 1100D would suite my purposes for the next couple of years. I bought the bundle with the 75-300 mm zoom lens.

Of course, I had no time to do anything but unpack and take a couple of test shots, just to make sure it works. This morning, I took out the book and practiced a few simple shots with the lens that comes with the camera. I've had a Canon in the past so I had no trouble with the basic package, using automatic, not manual settings.

The zoom lens was another matter! Bob had to explain how it works and I had trouble inserting the lens properly. Finally, I got the hang of it -- works better when you snap it in right. Not ready to post any pics yet but I'm fairly sure I'll be ready in a few days.

Meltdown

Too much of everything -- noise, traffic, sun (!), fatigue -- led to a meltdown. Mine, of course. Just getting our stuff up to our condo was a challenge, especially since all the carts and shopping baskets were being used. I managed to grab one as it was being returned but we still made several trips from our vehicle.

We shopped for groceries and I realized as I tried to put them away that this unit is jammed with the owner's stuff, intended to make our stay comfortable but producing the opposite effect. There's the usual beach stuff and fake plants cover every available surface. Enough dinnerware for a family of twelve. Pots and pans jammed into every drawer. Tupperware all over the kitchen and squeezed layers high into storage space. Office supplies in the bedroom. Redundant everything, with the possible exception of sharp knives.

I whined and complained, and Bob wisely said nothing. I did resist the temptation to pitch it all off the balcony, so I am still a free woman this morning. Later today I'll see what I can stow away, and where, for our time here.

I do like the comfy Turkish style carpet in the living area, soothing to my over-stimulated senses.

Finally Florida

We left Macon shortly after 8:00 a.m. and were pleasantly surprised by an uncrowded freeway. The Georgia pines gradually gave way to flowering crabs and cherry trees, as well as trees covered with sphagnum moss, which I had to look up to make sure I got the identification right. Cattle grazed in the fields and racehorses seemed to be inviting passers-by to admire them. Where is that Kentucky Derby fancy hat when I need it? I thought about the Keeleys' (Gene Hackman, Dianne West) description of the drive from DC to Key West in The Birdcage, and, like the Senator and his wife, was impressed by the vastness, variety and beauty of the land.

Welcome to florida

An abrupt change at the Florida Welcome Center where we landed at about 10:30. Palm trees, orange juice, cameras. Full of northerners in their long pants and fleece jackets. A few kids in shorts. We stayed long enough to visit the facilities and then pressed onward. Traffic quickly multiplied and our heavy clothes felt a little uncomfortable in the rising temperatures. Time for AC.

The sides of I-75 are ugly in Florida, full of billboards. All very utilitarian. The brush is so thick that you really can't see much, but I wondered why the buzzards circled periodically over the jungle-like interior.

Traffic became really heavy as we approached Tampa. We finally rolled into The Sunrise Resort shortly after 4:00 p.m.. We're a floor higher this year, and the view is spectacular.

Pleasant Georgia

Our room at Courtyard by Marriott was so comfortable that we simply put our feet up and relaxed. We  were too tired to go out for dinner but the apple, cheese and crackers -- perfect on our first day-- seemed a little light. I decided walk across the courtyard to the little bistro off the lobby. I brought back a made-to-order a turkey BLT on ciabatta with fruit and raw vegetables. Delicious and just right to split between us.

We woke early but rested Saturday morning and had breakfast at the hotel: scrambled eggs for Bob, breakfast tacos for me. The excellent service in this modest hotel were so pleasant that I would return  anytime.

Atlanta Bypass

Crossing the Ohio River

Yesterday's day on the road was a snap! We went from deep winter to 20F and set off this morning full of optimism, sure that we would get to Florida -- or almost -- by this evening.

In fact, the journey was glorious through Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee and part of Georgia. We left Mount Vernon shortly after 7:00 a.m. and an hour or so later, the hills of Kentucky reminded me of spring. A little later, we saw our first green grass and my first robin of the season chirped merrily at the Blue Star Memorial Highway Tennessee Welcome Center. I was almost overdressed in my light fleece jacket.

Robin at Tennessee Welcome Center

We had lunch at McDonald's just past Nashville (The Grand Ole Opry will have to wait, I guess ) and drove on to Chattanooga, Tennessee, which reminded me of South St. Paul in Minnesota. We steeled ourselves for bumper-to-bumper traffic around Atlanta, and sure enough that's what we had. Somewhere around Chattanooga, we entered the Eastern time zone and lost an hour.

AAA steered us past Atlanta on the 285 bypass, so that we avoided I-75 though the heart of Atlanta. By this time, we were beginning to fade, but we had to press on. There was nowhere to go but forward.

After about 100 miles of speeds between 15 and 20  mph, we finally hit wide open freeway (that's what a freeway used to be, long ago) and made it to Macon, Georgia, after dusk had fallen. The first hotel off exit #169 was full, but we landed well at Courtyard By Marriott. A drink never tasted so good.

Catatonic in Mount Vernon, Illinois

Beautiful Wisconsin Countryside

Bob was keen on making it to Paducah, Kentucky, but I'd had enough after driving into bright sunlight all morning, followed by an afternoon assault of heat from the setting sun. Despite a temperature of -10F, we were cozy in a warmed up car and were on the road by 6:30 a.m. The morning was quite lovely, especially as the sun began to rise over Woodbury and I imagined a cold but beautiful day of skiing at Afton Alps a few miles away. The shadows turned a cold blue and the snow shone bright, untouched by anything but the wind.

The dead of winter lost its hold as we drove south. Well into Illinois, snow depth diminished. By 4:25, we were out of the snow belt and the ponds changed from bright ice to shiny dark liquid. Birds gathered for a last feed in the fields at the end of the day and we suddenly felt depleted, strangely un-refreshed after our last rest stop.

We staggered, exhausted,  into Mount Vernon's Comfort Suites at about 5:30. The hotel is new and clean, soothing in the predictability of its services. We seem to be in the heart of the Bible Belt (where is that anyway?) and I feel a little uneasy as I down my Old Crow, a cheap but satisfying bourbon.

St Paul to St Pete

Bob has been studying maps for the last month, anticipating every weather possibility in this crazy winter of extreme cold and heavy snow. He became a AAA member a few weeks ago, and merrily ordered TripTiks from the very personable Emily at the Roseville office. "You can have as many as you want", she said, piling travel books into bags for every state we will drive through. So much for the house decluttering project!

The TripTiks finally arrived last week. One route takes us south on US52, through Iowa. In case threatened blizzard conditions prevail tomorrow morning, we have another route too, east on 94 via Madison, Wisconsin. Either way, we will probably spend Thursday night in Mount Vernon, Illinois. Nearly 24 hours in a vehicle, over three days. With colder than normal temperatures over the entire route, I think it will be awhile before we shed our warm clothes!

Our Bags Aren't Packed ...

...but nearly everything else is done. Our suitcases aren't yet down from the attic, since Bob always wants to postpone upsetting the cat as long as possible. After years of resistance, I've now bought into his strategy. On this frigid late February morning, Minou is purring happily at my feet.

We'll finish last minute preparations the house will be ready for son Chris to take up residence after we leave tomorrow. It's been a long, cold winter!