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Published: February 18th 2007
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Me with Tampa in background
I'm not a big fan of this photo but what can I do about it? Well, we are back on the road again and I suppose it's time for a 'proper' travel blog, one which contains words and not just photos to keep you all amused 😊
The morning of the 14th February found Russ and I back on the road again to Tampa, Florida. It felt good to be on the interstate and bound for somewhere new but at the same time sad to be leaving our home of 3 months, Orlando. Orlando gave us Disney and friends but we must look onwards and to the future in this adventure of ours. The weather was absolutely beautiful, the perfect day to be doing anything but moving but at the same time, what a blessing to have good driving conditions. The closer we got to Tampa the 'beachier' it began to feel, beautiful breezes and not a cloud in the sky. With a phone call we found ourselves conquering our own personal Everest. We had managed to book ourselves into a 55+ community! Yes, we had done it at long last! After assuring the front desk staff that we did not have kids, we were escorted to a site that backs onto the main road
Proud Russ
Just to prove that Russ is a keen fisherman, here is a pic of him and the fishing line he found at Ballast Point Park. He looks just a little bit happy don't you think? (a hint perhaps?) and left to set up camp. The rest of the afternoon was spent lazing about and checking out the local river to see if it would be a viable spot for Russ to go fishing (inconclusive at this stage).
Thursday, 15th February saw us heading to Ballast Point Park and checking out Tampa Bay. The beautiful weather that was with us the day before had dissapeared and was replaced with the grey skies and cool winds that had been with us in Orlando making for a cold walk up the pier. Now, we all know how much Russ loves his fishing, having bought the head lamp, hand reel and squid for the shuttle launch mission, well now we have the fishing rod to complete the set. Yes, you read right. Russ actually found a fishing rod discarded in a bush at the park whilst we were going for a walk so now the squid has been taken out of the freezer in preparation for his big fishing adventure. Don't worry, Russ assures me that the rod has been there for a while as it the hook was rusty but he's proud as punch (photographic evidence attached).
After packing the fishing rod safely away in the back of the Durango we headed south to Picnic Island Beach, a "beach" situated in a commercial zone yet nice none the less. We were feeling quite outdoorsy so we went for a walk along the little beaches and mangroves and took in the fresh ocean smell before heading down to St. Pete's beach and the Gulf of Mexico at St. Petersburg. We got out and took the obligatory photograph but the weather was pretty dismal at this stage so we didn't stick around for too long, instead we opted to drive around and have a look at the spectacular houses that lined the beach.
Friday, 16th February came and the weather was still crappy. We decided to take advantage of the cooler weather and head to the Manatee Viewing Center near Apollo Beach. Basically, once the water drops below 20 degrees celcius the manatees (picture a dugong) are attracted to the warmer water right beside Tampa Electric Power Station. You can either choose to walk a Tidal Walkway which takes you out to watch the manatees come in or view the manatees from the viewing platform. Russ and
I chose to do the walkway first but the wind was just too much for us so we turned back after braving it for a bit and resorted to viewing them from the platform. Up to 300 manatees can gather at one time and we weren't dissapointed although we were very, very cold. The manatees were very cute, sticking their snouts out of the water and lying on their back, such performers. For a free attraction I really enjoyed it but would have enjoyed it more had they had the viewing platform enclosed. It was just too damn cold to spend heaps of time there so we were back in the car and searching for a spot nearby to Russ to test his newly acquired rod. We wound up at Apollo Beach Park, a beautiful little beach but once again, way too windy for my liking. After quickly dropping me back home and picking up his squid, Russ was on his way to his date with the ocean. Some hours later he returned, empty handed but spirits still high none the less. Russ and fishing is like ham and cheese, they go together well and he is already looking forward
to his next adventure.
So, I've now bought you up with today. We awoke today to find the skies were clear and the air crisp. A brief discussion and we were sorted, today we would spend the day at Daytona Beach which just so happens, is on the opposite coast to the one we are currently on. We had been meaning to visit whilst we were still in Orlando but every day we had off had bad weather so today was the day. What about the Daytona 500 I hear you say, who cares, we were going! We could tell we were heading in the right direction when we started to see all the air traffic some way away from the actual race track. Closer to the track it was a bit chaotic, one police officer would tell someone to do something and then another starts blowing his whistle and telling him not too. Made for good viewing whilst waiting to move though. I got a quick peek into the stadium (or whatever you want to call it) and it was packed. I'm glad I wasn't around to see what chaos would follow later in the day when hundreds
Manatee Viewing Centre
A Manatee is like a Dugong. This particular manatee was laying on it's back putting on a show. of thousands of people try to leave the stadium all at once.
2 hours later after leaving and we had arrived at Daytona Beach itself. Not knowing where we were going we found some parking (paid of course) and headed over to the beach for a stroll. We had to return twice to the car after leaving it though, once because Russ didn't think he locked it and the 2nd time, because I really didn't need to be wearing my ski jacket (for once). We arrived at the pier and they had a 'Skylift', where we could pay $6 and go on a short chair ride over the pier but I of course said, stuff that, I'm walking it for free. Now, I should have known that nothing in this country is free. We get halfway down and you have to go into a gift shop to get to the end of the pier and the guy goes, "$1 to walk to the end of the pier." Well, he didn't get $2 from us or the money from a postcard that I probably would have purchased. You see one pier, you've seen them all anyway hey.
We are
now safely back at home in Tampa. We aren't too sure on what we will be doing tomorrow as it is all weather dependant at the moment.
Keep an eye out for the next installment in the coming weeks.
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Mom
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This/That
Its great to see you on the move again. Meant to phone on the weekend but got caught up with visitors Saturday and Sunday. My dodo account is not working at the moment (2 days and 3 phonecalls). I will e-mail you my new e-mail address with Telstra bigpond (another saga) on Thursday - should be up and running by then. All is well this end. Good luck with the fishing Russ - hope the catch is better than here - mmmm fresh fish - hope you remember how to cook it. Send me a photo of "The Big One" although I'm sure it will go up on the Blog. Miss you both - will talk to you soon. Love Mom