Winter time down here below the freeze line is little more than a concept on the calendar. Our winter days are mostly days in the 70's and 80's and nights in the 50's and 60's. An occasional cold front will interrupt for a day or so here and there. So a drive over to the beach even in the middle of winter is quite normal.
Here in the Tampa Bay area we have about 40 miles of beaches to choose from
They are all beautiful but the tourists find some easier than others so we usually end up at Pass A Grille
MK...beautiful as always
Me...not so much
Sea oats...protected..so do not touch
Paddle boarding looks like fun
"Pale invaders and tanned crusaders worshiping the sun"
Lots of weddings on the beach...two set up here
This also looks fun
Wake boards take some skill
The beautiful Don Cesar Hotel
There's no better way to relax than looking at the awesome Gulf of Mexico...so long from Florida...
We visit the Keys several times a year. It's an easy hop from here in Tampa down to the Southernmost City. There is something about literally being at the end of the road that makes this place so unique. Key West is not just a place...it's a state of mind.
The newly remodeled Southernmost Hotel is an outstanding place to stay. It's location is excellent on the "quiet" end of Duval St on the Atlantic side. We have also stayed at Henry Flagler's Casa Marina. It is a beautiful property also.
The Afterdeck at Louie's Backyard has a stunning view. There are many places to watch the sunset in Key West and this is a good one.
Cruise ship headed out the channel with the sun setting behind it
Sunset from Louie's
MK enjoying the view and the glass of wine
Duval and Greene Street
My favorite spot...Captain Tony's Saloon
Jimmy used to play here for tips and beer
The Banana Cafe....great spot for breakfast
Duval and South Street with the Atlantic in the background. This is where the Southernmost Hotel sits.
You don't just get beautiful sunsets in Key West...this is sunrise from the White Street Pier. My wife took this picture as I don't see many sunrises when I'm in Key West
Key West is not known for it's beaches but Smathers beach on A1A is nice. The beach at Fort Zach is also very nice and another great sunset spot
Doesn't get any better than listening to Michael McCloud at the Schooner Wharf
Sunset celebration every night at Mallory Square
Margaritaville on Duval Street
Christmas time
Key West sunset
We'll be back soon....
The beaches at Fort DeSoto are some of the best in North America. The park contains five Keys and the main island, Mullet key is where you find the East beach and the North beach.
The North beach has been named America's # 1 beach several times.
Sunset at the North beach
The park also offers picnic tables and shade in addition to camping facilities, two fishing piers, a seven mile
trail, concession stands, a canoe trail and a nature trail.
The shallow water around the park is a great place for kayaking and wade fishing.
Great fishing at the two piers
The old fort still stands. The area was first surveyed and recommended for fortification in 1849 by Col Robert E. Lee
You can also take a ferry across to Egmont Key where the old lighthouse, built in 1858 still lights the opening to Tampa Bay.
Ybor City is located just east of downtown Tampa. It was established around 1886 when Cuban exiles Vicente Martinez Ybor and Don Ignacio Haya decided to move their cigar factories from Key West to Tampa. Tampa was a small town with a population of 1000. The combination of H B Plant's railroad, a port and a humid climate that was good for the leaves attracted the cigar makers
This is Ybor City in 1919
7th avenue as it was in 1927
The sign above the men reads...V Martinez Ybor & Co. Cigar Factory. Cigar production peaked in 1929. The Great Depression was the beginning of the end of the cigar factories as demand fell and mechanized rolling was introduced.
Ybor City deteriorated in the 50's and 60's and by the early 70's few businesses remained. The Columbia Restaurant stayed in business and remains there today
In the early 80's Ybor City began a slow recovery and by the 90's many of the empty buildings became nightclubs, restaurants, bars and shops. The City thrives today with nightlife and shopping.
I leave you today with one of my favorite restaurants, Carmines on 7th avenue and a Tampa tradition...a cuban sandwich and a glass of Ybor Gold
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