WELCOME TO MY NEIGHBORHOOD
TAMPA, FLORIDAI moved to Florida eight years ago, from northern Kentucky I would loveto share with you some of my favorite places that I have visited since I moved here. I would also like to show you some other places that may be of interest to you. Guess you could say I would love to be the spokesperson for Florida, like they need one. Florida can speak for itself, with all its beauty alone. Eight years later, I am still in awe with the beautiful sky and its beautiful colors, clouds and spectacular sunsets.
The Pier
This is a picture of St. Petersburg Pier, one of the first places, I visited after moving to Florida. I fell in love with Florida that day. I'm sure it was that day. One of the most beautiful days in my life. Very peaceful setting. I remember sitting on the top floor of the pier, on the observation deck looking out over the water, sipping my Mt. Dew no doubt, since anyone that knows me, knows that I'm hopelessly addicted to Mt. Dew. Anyway, looking out over the water, sitting at one of the tables just relaxing taking in the fresh breeze and feeling the contentment, that this is where I need to be for the rest of my life. Now I have to in the lottery, to be able to spend more days like that one on the pier. Ok enough dreaming, back to what I've decided to do here in the first place. Share my new neighborhood with you.
Now for important information about the pier. The pier has 5 stories of shops, restaurants and an aquarium. Bring your Fishing pole because you can even fish from the pier. There are daily sightseeing cruises. In hopes of seeing some dolphins, I took one of those too. It was a very nice cruise and we did see a few dolphins. They also come around the pier if your lucky enough to be there at the right time. I've been so, lucky. Seeing the dolphins just completes my day. HEY, and it doesn't cost one thin dime. Guess I'm easily entertained. Now we will leave one of my favorite places, the Pier, to show you some others I've enjoyed.
The Pier at night.
Ok Climb on into my van and we will go to anotherspot I've enjoyed. There's shopping here, so get your purses and wallets ready. Hope you have some spare change for me too. We are off to Johns Pass Village and Boardwalk. We can grab some lunch there. Several places to choose from. For those that love seafood, NOT ME. I didn't move to Florida for the seafood. I am sure you will find plenty available here. Ladies, lots of shops, both souvenir and clothing shops. One of my favorite shops is The Red Skelton Shop, it features prints done by Red Skelton, unique music boxes statues and Emmit Kelly statues and paintings. Johns Pass is right on the water and across the street are some great beaches in the neighboring towns.Treasure Island, Madeira Beach, Redington Beach all on Gulf Blvd. At Johns Pass you can take a cruise on the Europa SeaKruz or Empress Cruise ships. They feature dinner dancing and casino. If I remember right it is a 6 hour cruise. Very reasonable rates. Price includes the cruise and dinner and all the gambling you want. I have won both times I have gone, enough to pay for my cruise and have fun.Johns Pass
Nothing to retire on but I had a great time. I am not a big gambler. I allow myself $20.00 to totally lose and that's it. One of the boats even features skeet shooting. I love to shoot a gun, but never knew how big that rifle was. I ended up with a bruised shoulder and I did not hit one darn disk. But the water was really rough. I do not know how that cowboy with the dark suit and hat and all his jewelry did it. He hit every one of them. Think he shot 10 times, I shot 5. I don't like to waste money and glad I didn't plan on shooting anymore. I was embarrassed enough. Well, I can shoot on land, I?ve done it before. *S*Now, where can I take you? Are you tired yet? You can always bookmark my page and continue this trip another day. I really do not mind driving here except for the traffic. Like I said I'm from Kentucky and the roads are really difficult to drive on. Very hilly and the roads sort of pitch from one side to the other. Love driving here. Flat. But the traffic is crazy. So climbing back into the van, we are off to Clearwater. Hope you brought your bathing suits. There's a beautiful beach here. We can go shopping, swimming and then at night go partying. Lots of night spots around here. When my best friend comes down each year we spend a lot of time in Clearwater going to night clubs. I love to dance and am always
looking for new places to go to, for her next visit. There is also a big pier here too. So if anyone wants to go fishing, (not saying guys because I love to fish. Never catch anything but love trying). We can do that here too. I have heard but not seen it for myself. That Dolphins come out around the swimming area at 2:00. I am not sure
if I believe this since this is a specific time. Don't know how dolphin's would know what time it was, unless they have water proof watches. But that is the story I hear. So just passing this bit of info along. Let me see, where can I take you next?
Speaking of dolphins. We could run over to Clearwater Marine Aquarium. If we stop at an information site we could pick up a brochure with a $1.00 coupon. Don't think it's real expensive though. From what I remember it's around $5.00 or $6.00. But not sure of that. So don't quote me on that. It's open Mon- Fri. 9 a.m. - 5 p.m. Sat. 9 a.m.- 4 p.m. and Sun. 11 a.m. -4 p.m. Closed most major holidays. Reading the hours from brochure with a $1.00 off coupon. *S* But has no admission price listed. Hey but they have a e-mail addy if would need it. Here it is: [email protected].
We also have another marine aquarium in Sarasota called Mote Marine Aquarium. Love Sarasota. We'll be going there too. Wish I lived in Sarasota. Guess I just have to win the lotto, but suppose I have to buy a lotto ticket at least. *S* I've been to the Mote Marine Aquarium. They find beached dolphins or sick or injured pelicans etc. and rehabilitae them. I had a bad experience on the beach. Someone from Mote Marine saw me on the beach and mistook me for a beached white whale. They were going to take me an rehabilitate me. Think they would have taken my Mt. Dew away too. But I set them straight. Told them I just gained some weight but not as big as a whale yet. You will love Sarasota as much as I do when you see it. I love St. Armands Key. You go shopping around a circle, with asmall city park in the middle. Shops along the outside of the circle. Lots of restaurants. You won't find any of the fast food places though. I've eaten at Hemingways a couple of times. It's pretty neat. They have a few outside seats on a terrace that you get a great view of St. Armands Circle. There is also a Columbia Restaurant that is said to be good. Haven?t been there. I'm a picky eater. I hate trying new types of food. At Cha Cha's, which is also at St. Petersburg pier. They have this mixed drink called a Bushwacker. I'm not much of a drinker, except for Mt. Dew that is. I can get a Bushwacker down, but one is about all I can take it has a variety of liquors in it, but it's good. It taste like a malt or shake. *S* Love malts and shake *S*Right up the street from the circle of shops is my beach. Well not mine, but I am there alot. *S* It's called Lido Beach. It's my favorite beach. I have this theory, it's an older crowd and I don't look as bad in a bathing suit there. *S* But for the younger set, Siesta Key is around Sarasota also. Very busy beach. I look terrible in a bathing suit there.Too many young girls there *S* Well anyway back to Lido Beach. They even have a public swimming pool there. Last year I think it cost $1.00 to get in. But
you know, everything goes up. So who knows what it will cost this year. There a is also a concession stand there. The food is pretty good and it's reasonably priced. I just love eating there and looking out at the Gulf, another peaceful moment. There are a lot of times here I just feel contented and very relaxed. Buying me a lotto ticket this weekend.*S* I was looking at my pictures. But don't
have one of Lido Beach. I have one of Coquina Beach but it is a lot different than Lido, has a park like setting, more of a family beach. Coquina Beach is in the Anna Marie Island area in Bradenton, Florida. Coquina as a wide variety of ages. Still like Lido and told you why. *S* Remember the bathing suit theory? *S*Another nice beach is Holmes Beach. Also around the Anna Marie Island area. I saw the most beautiful sunset there one night. And me with no camera. I was so disappointed. I was standing behindtwo palm trees looking at the sunset and a parasail went across the
sky. Would have been the perfect picture. The sun was reddish orange and the sky had the most beautiful colors in them. Love the PINK clouds down here. I was there on a Sat. Night. I was listening to a woman singing with the use of a Karaokie machine, she was very good. She sang Patsy Cline, Helen Redding type songs. Not sure if she is still singing there though. But if you get a chance to go there It's worth it. There's a little concession stand type restaurant that faces the beach. Beautiful setting. It was nice of you to visit with me. Hope you will enjoy your visit to my neighborhood soon.
Visitors since August 15I have recently opened two virtual stores One is a Soccer Store, the other is a Dog Supplies Store. If you need any Soccer equipment or any Dog Supplies please stop by for a visit.Click on the Soccer Ball to visit
CornerKick Soccer Store
