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
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
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
Every Christmas season the H.B. Plant Museum hosts the Victorian Christmas Stroll. The museum is located in Plant Hall which is the old Tampa Bay Hotel. The hotel was built in 1891 by Henry B. Plant. It is a grand building today even though it is 123 years old
The many rooms off the main hallway are each decorated differently and a stroll through the rooms is a great Christmas experience
Christmas carols add to the atmosphere
At the end of the hallway is this beautiful tree
The minarets are a familiar view on the Tampa skyline
The Christmas Stroll was a great addition to the holiday season
