Appetizers at Caddy's on the Beach

Fun afternoon on the beach

Paul Anthony

We weren't really hungry for lunch so we though a beer and an appetizer at Caddy's on the Beach would do just fine. We were right.

The charming Bella -- Russian, I think -- took care of her many tables with great efficiency and good humor. It was surprising to see a fresh veggie plate on the menu, but it sounded good to us, and it was. Carrots, cucumber, celery, tomatoes, broccoli arranged on a lettuce, served with ranch dressing. Delicious.

Nothing like clarity

We enjoyed listening to the entertainer, Paul Anthony, run through a set that seemed very familiar. Same guy, same order, as last year? I think so, but still fun. The crowd, ranging in age from barely legal to 80+ (I'm not kidding) seemed to be having a great time. Florida and the beach at their best.

I certainly enjoyed myself, and so did Bob.

Osprey Nest

Osprey across from our condo

Osprey guarding the next

We've been watching two busy birds across the channel for a couple of days. Yesterday evening, one of them seemed to have a fish in its mouth as it approached the tree where the other was roosting.

Today, one bird spent almost the entire day perched high above the water, while the other periodically exited what seemed to be a large nest below. Finally we realized the birds were osprey, and they must have chicks in the nest.

Exciting days ahead!

Lunch in Gulfport

Looking across to St. Pete Beach from Gulfport

 We revisited one of our favorite lunch stops today, O'Maddy's in Gulfport. No need for a GPS - we both knew the way and were across the bay in 20 minutes or so. We walked out on the pier in the warm wind and I felt just about as happy as anyone can be.



Dock at Gulfport

The restaurant was packed, so we sat at the bar where Calli, the personable bartender, actually shook hands with us when she introduced herself and asked our names.

We shared a fish sandwich and had a couple of drinks (margarita for Bob, bourbon & diet coke for me, both inexpensive). After our meal we sat on a bench along the beach and chatted with visitors on either side of us, a couple from Mount Pearl, Newfoundland, and a woman from Kentucky who's gone for a walk from her mother-in-law's house.

Finished the day off in the pool ... and yes, I was wearing goggles.

Walk on the Beach

Waverunners for rent

We've been coming to Florida for nearly 20 years and I've walked many miles on the beach, usually by myself. This morning, Bob suggested that we hit the beach after breakfast, before the heat of the day became too oppressive.

Last year, he had trouble walking in the sand but today he kept right up with me. It's always fun to people watch and, of course, beach and water activities make the outing interesting.

We cut through the grounds of the Grand Plaza Hotel, past Bongo's on the Beach and walked home along busy Gulf Boulevard.

A Lenten Wednesday Mass

Students from St. John Vianney School arriving for Mass

We attended 8:15 Mass at St. John Vianney Church this morning. This parish is one of my all-time favorites: beautiful church, friendly people, reverent liturgy, excellent preaching. We didn't expect to see so many students from the parish school or the excellent music leadership from the school's "Praise Band". We enjoyed the contemporary music, some of it from non-Catholic Christian traditions, all of if well directed. The choir exercised the kind of discipline that gives the impression of spontaneity -- not an easy feat for a choir director, especially with young grade school singers.

The celebrant was "Father Bill", a retired priest from Buffalo who winters in this area. We've enjoyed his friendly demeanor and energetic preaching in the past and weren't disappointed this morning.

A great start to another sunny day on the beach.

Soaking in Formula 409 - Sequel

I couldn't find my swim goggles before we left home, but I had Bob's in case of need. However, I didn't bother to use them because my head needs an extra couple of inches, and it's something of a hassle to modify the strap. I use the goggles only occasionally anyway, so I didn't worry about swimming without them. Big mistake.

My eyes were a little sore after my Monday morning swim in non-toxic suds but I didn't think anything of it when they got a little worse yesterday afternoon. I was much better this morning but my eyes got progressively worse as I moved through my morning session in the pool. By the time I got up to our apartment, I could hardly open my red, teary, very sore eyes.

I've been in hundreds of pools without goggles and am usually fine after a shower. Today was an exception, and I spent the morning indoors, alternating between cold compresses and sunglasses.

I was well enough to have lunch at Woody's Waterfront, the lively establishment where we spent St. Patrick's Day last year. My eyes still hurt too much for outdoor activities, so we stopped at Walgreen's where the pharmacist recommended both an eye wash and drops. Relief was immediate. I can see well enough to type.

No more swimming without protective eyewear.

Florida Pics.

Sunrise to Sunset - the First Day

Sunrise on Boca Ciega Bay

Monday was a ramp-up day. I usually have a full "to do" list, even on vacation, but yesterday I didn't have much initiative.

The morning fog was magical and spooky, enveloping Boca Ciega Day shortly after my morning swim. It lifted in about twenty minutes and the Florida sun warmed our winter weary souls.

We drove down to the beach to our favorite Pass-a-Grill beach, where Bob enthusiastically announced that he was going to do some shelling.This is a new (and probably passing) enthusiasm, fueled by a glossy, colorful brochure of Florida seashells he picked up at the Florida Welcome Center.



Shells at Land's End, Pass-a-Grille

The tide was low and there were lots of fresh shells on the beach, though most were broken and, in fact, he didn't find even one that passed muster. Ever inclined to socialize with strangers, he accosted a man who was picking up the smallest shells for crafting. Somehow I can't imagine Bob with a glue gun making lampshades or jewelry, and I certainly don't need a new hobby myself.

Sunset over the Gulf of Mexico

We had lunch at our "default" Sea Critters Cafe, one of our best lunches ever. We split a broiled salmon dinner, washed down by a margarita (Bob) and a Newcastle Brown Ale (me). The black beans and rice, a specialty here in St. Pete Beach, were mildly spiced, perfect for Bob's Minnesota palate.

We topped up our afternoon with some photo maintenance (me) and a short nap (Bob), followed by a swim and hot tub. Our sixth floor front balcony gives us a good view of the gulf across the street, so we watched the sun set in the company of Johnny Walker.

Florida pics.

Soaking in Formula 409



In the pool before cleaning

The pool guy had already started his Monday morning pool maintenance routine when I showed up this morning shortly after the gate opened at 8. I swam a couple of lazy laps and was starting on pool exercises when he started scrubbing the inside edges with a sudsy product that filled the pool with foamy suds.

The guy assured me that the product he uses (probably not 409) is non-toxic. I started to laugh, even though I felt suds in my hair and in my eyes. Surely this could be done when no one is using the pool, but I suppose no one shows up this early. Anyway, I assured the worker that I appreciate the fact that the pool is always clean. "Ya can't let it get away from you", he said. "Let what get away", I wondered silently. The dirt? The suds? The entire job?

I couldn't wait to take a shower. I was already soapy so the job went fast.

Florida pics.

A Hard Day's Drive from Macon

By the time we left Macon at 8:00 a.m., we were happy to get on the road for our last day. Traffic was steady but not too heavy in the cold foggy morning, in temperatures hovering around 40F. We made great time to the Florida Welcome Center, full of northerners in fleece jackets and jeans. Still, the free orange juice was delicious and we were in Florida, after all.

Cold and foggy at Florida Welcome Center

I drove a hundred miles or so to the well equipped and super clean Petro Ocala where we got gas and a bite at Wendy's. By now we were into the Florida weather we had hoped for and we stripped off a layer of clothing. Fortunately Bob got back behind the wheel, because not far down the road our progress slowed and we crawled on I75 for about an hour, moving only a mile or so.

Pile-up on I75 South, about 14 miles from I275.

Finally, a police car made its way through the two jammed lanes of traffic, stopping a few hundred yards away. We slowly went by an accident involving at least four large vehicles on the left, each rammed into the one ahead of it. Another SUV on the right side of the freeway had a smashed front end.

It was a sobering sight. Traffic sped up and we were soon on I275 toward the Tampa Bay area. The Sunday afternoon congestion around TPA was horrendous. Fast and crazy. These drivers were not graduates of the Bob Hennessey School of Driving.

Checked into Sunrise Resort at about 4:00 p.m. 83F on the deck. Took care of unpacking and grocery shopping and we finished the day looking out at Boca Ciega Bay, beverages in hand.

Florida pics.

End of Winter

A late winter day at the Tennessee Welcome Center.

I put on my winter gloves and the shell of my winter jacket this morning and was glad that I had both of them. As we left Mount Vernon before 7:30 a.m., I thought that the damp 19F cold would persist throughout the day. A new ice age.

Nothing remarkable about the first hours of our drive, except for the snow and frozen lakes in areas that had suggested spring only a year ago. We saw many red-tailed hawks, usually alone but sometimes in families roosting in trees, faithful sentinels of the highway, looking for the telltale tracks of voles under the snow.


A lovely spring day in Atlanta.

 

I was looking forward to the Tennessee Welcome Center where I had seen my first robin last year, chirping cheerfully among the daffodils and crocuses. The somewhat grumpy attendant told us this part of Tennessee usually enjoys 50F at this time of year, but many days below freezing may simply be grating on her nerves.

Finally we entered the Eastern Time Zone where we jumped an hour to 2:30 p.m., mid-afternoon 
already. By the time we got to Atlanta, temps had soared well about 50F, and we made it quickly through the downtown area in the HOV lane, a quick hop away from our destination for today, another Comfort Suites in Macon, Georgia. Same layout as last night's room in Mount Vernon; newer hotel.

We're tired but not exhausted. Looking forward to real warmth tomorrow.

Florida pics.

An Early Start

Still winter!

Bob doesn't sleep well before a day on the road. He gave up at 4:00 a.m., only an hour earlier than I usually get up so I was soon out of bed myself. We were on the road by 5:30, an hour earlier than last year.

We travelled in below zero F weather for several hours, from darkness to full sunlight. The sun rose over Menomonie, Wisconsin, cold and bright. As we drove east, the snow cover increased and I admired the monochromatic landscape of shades of white and blue-grey. Last year, we lost winter weather on our first day out. Not so today. It is still winter in Mount Vernon, Illinois. We're listening to winter storm warnings, but we seem to be ahead of any snow and sleet.

I actually did some driving today, maybe 240 miles or so. I was afraid of the trucks at first but, in the end, did fairly well. I've improved a lot over the last four months! Who knew this bitch could learn new tricks?

Florida pics.

St. Paul to St. Pete

Same route, new year.

Florida pics.

Winter Weather Blues

Weather Forecast February 25, 2015

I usually enjoy winter weather, especially when we have crisp Minnesota days with plenty of sunshine. Clearing snow is a great way to start the day and I've had plenty of it since I retired, maybe even too much last year when I was out with the shovel nearly every day, sometimes in frigid cold and bitter wind.

But this year! The winter started on November 10 but December was dark and dreary and we lost all our snow by Christmas. We picked up a little snow in January but February has simply been long and cold (nearly 10 degrees below "normal"). We've had several days without much sun and even I, a lifelong northerner, have been reluctant to spend much time outdoors.

I give up. Time to get to Florida!

Florida pics.