Water..Boats..and Birds

Sitting by the water is my favorite way to relax....there's just something about all that water

I love boats...watching boats sail by...or speed by...always wishing I was in one of them

Even boats that make sure boaters follow the rules

Wave runners are fun to watch

Sometimes watching boats and water I see another of my favorite things...airplanes

From boats on Tampa Bay to boats on the beautiful Gulf of Mexico

Boats....and birds

Here's how I watch

Dolphin playing inside the jetty

That's a great day for me...water...boats...and birds

Until next time...so long from Florida

Philippe Park

In this blog we are in the little town of Safety Harbor Florida on the northwest shore of Tampa Bay visiting beautiful Philippe Park. 

The park winds along the shore of the bay and has great views of the water and many places to sit or picnic or read a book

The park is named for Odet Philippe. He is thought to be the first non native settler in this area. As the marker says he is credited with introducing grapefruit to Florida

The Tampa Bay area of Florida was inhabited by the Tocobaga Indians for well over 200 years until the late 1700's when diseases from the European explorers wiped them out

This is what once was a Tocobaga Indian mound

Beautiful spots to sit and relax. The park is large enough that you can easily have a spot all to yourself

I chose this little corner to sit and read

The park also has a very nice boat ramp

Lots of covered areas and walking trails

I had a great day taking in the views from Philippe Park and I highly recommend you visit this place tucked away on the shores of Old Tampa Bay

Winter Time Beach Day

On a beautiful Sunday in the middle of winter while the rest of the country shivers....we do this

Take a little ride over to the beach...On Trip Advisor's list of the top 25 beaches in the USA St Pete Beach came in #2...behind only Siesta Key

In fact 6 of the top 10 beaches in the USA are in Florida with three right here in our area..Siesta Key...St Pete Beach and Clearwater Beach

This is a beautiful beach...bright white sand everywhere

The grand old Don Cesar Hotel stands out as a landmark in the area

The wife enjoying the shade and the view

Looking south...only Fort Desoto beach is south of this beach

Good day for kite flying

The song is right...it's a sweet sweet life living by the salty sea...goodbye from Florida 

Cypress Point Park

Another spot a little off the beaten path is Cypress Point Park. Head west on Cypress St off of Westshore and go to the end through a business complex and you will come to the park entrance

The park has plenty of parking and several pavilions and also the necessary facilities. 

The park sits on the east side of Tampa Bay with great views of the bay between the Howard Frankland Bridge and the Courtney Campbell causeway

Looking south is the Frankland bridge connecting Tampa and St Petersburg

Looking north is the Courtney Campbell causeway connecting Tampa and Clearwater

Go slow and watch out for manatees

Very low tides this time of year

Beautiful Tampa Bay

Another thing I like about this park...if you like watching airplanes like I do...TIA is right up the street so planes are making their landing approach right behind you

How cool is that

This is how I relax....I find a nice spot beside salt water...open up a chair and a book and enjoy this incredible place I call home...Cypress Point Park...check it out