Anne & Glen's trip to Florida

Florida Part 2 Florida Part 3

Botanical Garden & Heritage Village Tampa & Kelsey's Apartment Philippe Park & Dunedin

We flew to Tampa, met up with Laurie and Rudy at the airport, picked up the rental car, and drove over to Jerry's house in Dunedin. He now has the Cottage bell mounted by his front door.

Over snacks in Jerry's kitchen, we met his girlfriend, Julia.

Beth and John arrived a couple hours later, and Carol and her mom dropped by to visit.

We got to see Jerry's new brick work. He'd recently redone walks in both front and back.

I just like this vine on his back fence.

Eventually it was time to meander over to Indian Rocks and check in to our rental house for the week. It's the pink one behind us, and was right next to the beach.

We took a walk on the beach before going to dinner.

There were a fair number of 2 to 3" dead fish, and an occasional larger one, but still quite walkable. The Red Tide was probably responsible.

We saw this roped-off section to protect sea turtle eggs, but never actually saw the turtles.

Cormorant

Dinner was at a popular local spot, Lu-Lu's.

That evening we were entranced by the lightning show to the south. We watched from the balcony.

Sunday morning view from the 2nd floor balcony.

Our private pool.

The morning hikers return. John, Beth, Glen

Pelicans and other birds put on a continuous show.

Sunsets were gorgeous. This model was taking advantage of them.

We made pizza rolls for the group for Sunday's dinner.

Monday morning - stroll on the beach. By now the dead fish had mostly been picked up by clean-up crews, or gobbled up by the birds. We had no more issue with the Red Tide. The beach was fine, and pretty empty.

empty except for the birds.

Horseshoe crab rapidly burying itself in the sand.

gull eating an eel

These little lizards scampered all over.

lunch on the balcony

Julia enjoys crosswords from the paper.

Carol and Kelsey came over for a relaxing afternoon.

The one time it rained on us the entire week, just around dinner time, and briefly.

Rainbow visible from the balcony.

Florida Part 2: the adventure continues.