Tag Archives: beach

BlogTrotting through Tampa Bay

Posted on by Run DMT
20

Greetings from Land O’Lakes, FL!

This week, BlogTrotting requested me to share my small slice of the Sunshine State.  Although I live in Land O’Lakes, my little suburb is only 15 minutes north of Tampa, which is the home of the Buccaneers (Super Bowl XXXVII Champions 2002),

the Rays (American League Champions 2008 ),

the Lightning (Stanley Cup Champions 2004) and the spring training home of the Yankees.

Not to mention, Tampa is also the home of two great universities: University of South Florida (my alma mater – GO BULLS!)

and University of Tampa (my DH’s alma mater).

According to Dr. Beach, the Tampa Bay has some of the best beaches, including Fort Desoto, Honeymoon Island, Caladesi Island.

Although Tampa may lack the metropolitan and ethnic flare typically found in larger cosmopolitan cities, our beautiful city still offers its own flavor of culture.

Ybor City, a section of Tampa settled by Cuban immigrants in the late 1800s, produced more cigars than Havana and became known as the Cigar Capital of the World.  Today, Ybor City is our own little Spanish New Orleans and serves up some of the best Cuban food outside of Miami.  In late October, Ybor City celebrates Guavaween, which can be compared a Halloween Mardi Gras.  Fifteen years ago, I met my husband one cold drunken Guavaween night.

Tampa residents love to spin pirate tales about a mythological pirate, José Gaspar, who invaded our streets during the late 1800s.  From late January to early March, we celebrate Gasparilla with a variety of pirate parades, festivals and races.

As for tourist spots, I highly recommend the Florida Aquarium, which offers a gorgeous glimpse of our wetlands and coral reef and a fun splash area for the kids.

Busch Gardens is another favorite tourist hot spot.  The roller-coasters and up-close animal exhibits are simply breathtaking in more ways than one.

Lowry Park Zoo is another great place to visit when the natives are restless.

If you visit Tampa in the winter months, you will want to stop by the Teco Manatee Viewing Center.  During the cooler months, manatees seek refuge in the warm waters discharged from the power plant.  On a good, cool day, you can view close to a hundred manatees free of charge.

If you crave outdoor adventures, Tampa Bay has beautiful waterways for boating, fabulous flatwood trails to hike, bike or run…

…and several rivers to canoe such as Hillsborough River, Weedon Island or Weeki Wachee Springs, which is the home of our world famous mermaids.  Rumor has it even Elvis stopped there.

If hiking trails and primitive camping is your pleasure, Jay B. Starkey Wilderness Park was featured last spring in the St. Pete Times as one of the best camping spots in Florida, but I prefer the “luxury amenities” at Hillsborough River State Park.

I love living in Tampa Bay and can’t imagine living anywhere else.  I enjoy spending almost every day outdoors and wearing flip flops all year round.  I’ve even got the tan lines to prove it.




Places I Love

Posted on by Run DMT
15

Every week, I visit I Heart Faces and promise to participate in the challenge, but I then I get distracted and forget to submit my photos.  But not this week!  Although this week’s challenge seemed relatively easy, it was difficult to narrow down my favorite places.

 

England
About 5 years ago, we traveled to Chester, England for my friend, Suzie’s, wedding.  During our holiday, we drove to Edinburgh, Scotland (where Allan was born), York (the city where I completed my final teaching internship) and visited Whitby (Allan’s hometown).  Although I had seen many pictures of Whitby, it wasn’t until I physically stepped foot in the town that I understood why Allan gets homesick.  Since my college days, I have always loved England, but I fell in love with little quaint little sleepy seaside town.  Honestly, pictures do not do it justice and simply cannot reflect the beauty of Whitby.  Someday we’ll own a small little cottage summer home there visit again.

 

 

 

New Orleans
Can you believe I spent a weekend in New Orleans and this is the best picture with “faces” I can find?  These cute little Jamie Hayes voodoo dolls were more willing models than my DH.

 

 

This southern city is truly full of soul in more ways than one.  New Orleans has the best food, best music and the best people.  I’m planning a trip back to the Big Easy for my 40th birthday in 2011.

 

 
BTW…Good luck to the Saints in the Super Bowl!  Who dat?!

 

New York City
Last year, we were fortunate to spend two kid-free weekends in New York City.  Our May trip was Allan’s first time in the Big Apple.  He usually doesn’t like having his photo taken, but he willingly posed for this shot.  Look closely at the photo to see why Allan thought he was being so clever.

 

 

The Beach
I love the beach and so do my girls.  Thank heavens we live in a state that is almost surrounded with soft sand and beautiful blue water.  I can’t wait for the warm weather to arrive so we can start packing the beach bags and head for the waves again.

 

 

Disney
Living in Florida, you either take for granted that you live in a state with miles of beautiful beaches and Mickey Mouse or your take full advantage of it.  It’s been a year since our last trip to the Magic Kingdom and I miss the magic. Therefore for Mother’s Day this year, I requested a weekend at Disney.

 

 

 

Camping
Both Allan and I camped as kids, but until our friends, Erika and John, reintroduced us to the idea of camping a few years ago, we had forgotten how much we loved it.  Now, we camp a couple times of year with our friends and it’s something we all look forward to, except when it’s raining.

 

 

North Carolina
We can also thank our friends, Erika and John, for our love for North Carolina.  For the past three years, our two families have enjoyed sharing a cabin and playing in the snow in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  However, last month was probably our final trip to the mountains for awhile.  We’ll have to see if our next little one will be an intrepid traveler, car sleeper or car screamer like his/her sisters were as infants.  Another car screamer would make me head for the hills for sure!   Fingers crossed we can return to North Carolina in 2011.

 

 

 

 

Hooters
So, I cheated a little with this one, because my friend and absolutely FABULOUS photographer, Kelly, took this family photo.  I really love Hooters, however, my pregnancy nose can’t stand the smell of chicken or fried food, so I’m really missing sunsets over the Gulf and hot wings and pitchers of beer at the New Port Richey Hooters these days.  Food aversions really stink.  (No pun intended.)

 

 

 

Home
Dorothy said it best.  There’s no place like home. As much as I love to travel, it feels so good to come back to the comforts of home after any trip.

 

 

Also submitted at…

Blissful Beach Runs

Posted on by Run DMT
4

Thankfully, I managed to keep my binge drinking under control for the first couple of days during my girlfriend getaway to Anna Maria Island.  I skipped out of late night slush fests with my mommy friends so I could enjoy the ultimate “me” time in the morning with runs along the beach.

 

Friday morning delivered beautiful bright skies that helped clear my mind.  A gentle breeze cooled my body as the rolling waves whispered encouraging words that soothed my soul. 

3 Miles

Time 30:06

Ave Pace 10:02

 IMG_1235

 

Saturday provided little breeze, but another beautiful view challenged me to run a little further.

4 Miles

Time 41:23

Ave Pace 10:20

 

IMG_1233

 

Saturday evening, I celebrated my last night of freedom with my 16 mommy friends with a heavy consumption of beer.  Obviously, I was in no shape for running the next day, but with having to pack up and leave there really wasn’t any time for one last run on the beach Sunday morning.

 

As a result of all this torture training, my quads are tight and cramping and my shins are also sore.  I’m sure it’s delayed onset pain from the Wednesday’s speedwork and two days of running in the sand.  Whatever the reason, I’ve spent most of the day stretching…and sobering.

Picking Up the Pace

Posted on by Run DMT
4

After flaking on my 6 mile run on Saturday due to rain, I made up for it on Sunday.  A panic sudden realization about the fast approaching races on the horizon seemed to be exactly what I needed to kick my badunkadunk into gear.  I set a goal for Sunday to finish under an hour and made my goal. :-)

6 miles

Time 1:00

Ave Pace 10:00

 

Also feeling a little unprepared for the races, Tiffany and I met this morning to run 3 miles.  Since we’re trying to improve our pace, we tried to run a little faster.  I’m really proud of our results.  We are slowly improving. 

3 miles

Time 29:50

Ave Pace 9:37

 

Tomorrow, Tiffany and I are planning to work on sprints.  Our BFF Hal recommends 6 x 400.  I have never done real sprint work, so this should be interesting.  I typically try to finish the last quarter mile run strong or I’ll sprint for a quarter mile in the middle of my run.  I’m curious to see how I perform for each individual lap according to my virtual coach, Garmin. 

 

Thursday, I will do another 3 mile run and some strengthening exercises.  Then, later in the morning, I’m heading to Anna Maria Island for our Second Annual Moms on the Go Mommy Getaway.  I can’t wait to sneak away with 14 of the greatest mommy friends!  I’m looking forward to some sunset runs along the beach and then kicking back with a few beer by the pool and on the beach.  As long as I can keep from binge drinking I should be ready for early morning runs! 

 

Margaritas

Stealing Sunrises

Posted on by Run DMT
2

Early Thursday morning, I darted out the door to catch another sunrise run.  After struggling with the soft sandy shore and the blind winding roads of the island, I wanted to run a different path and explore a bit more of Captiva.  Therefore, I formulated a brilliant plan to run through the South Seas Resort, which occupies the north tip of the island, as the private roads through the resort would offer a safe and beautiful run.  However, a guard sits the gate and I have never been past the entrance.  For Thursday run, I dared to do just that.

 

I thought I had pulled it off as I ran passed the guard check point until I heard him holler, “Excuse me, miss.  Can I get your room number, please?”

 

I should have played it off that my iPod was too loud or bust out my best Spanish accent and replied, “Yo no hablo Ingles.”  But I wasn’t that clever on this particular morning.  Instead, I simply replied, “I’m not a guest at the resort.”

 

“Well, then I’m afraid I can not permit you on the property.”

 

I apologized for being so bold and excused myself from the scene and then remarked, “Yes, I supposed I could do a lot of damage in my running skirt and running shoes.”  Thinking back, I believe it may have been my Gasparilla pirate baseball cap that made him nervous.  Perhaps, he thought I would be searching for treasure in his resort.

 

I ran off the resort property followed Captiva Drive to the end and the public beach access.  Once on the beach, I ran north and I found myself behind the South Seas Resort.  Along the beach, I noticed private path hidden by overgrown sea oats.  I also noticed signs stating “No Trespassing- Private Property”, but much like the guard I ran past them with little acknowledgement. 

 

As I ran on the forbidden limerock private paths of South Seas, I felt invigorated.  It’s amazing how being naughty can feel so good.  (Don’t tell my children I said that!)  And just as I suspected, the view was gorgeous.  During my 3 mile run, I spotted three cardinals and an ibis.

 Cardinal

 

At the end of my run, I thought about running past the guardhouse to show off my brazen behavior the guard, but I simply chose to run home instead.  To the guard simply doing his job too well, never say no to a nosey adventurous determined runner.

 3.50 miles

Time 36:38

Pace  10:27

 

For whatever reason, I couldn’t find the energy to run on Friday morning.  I suppose the excitement of Thursday’s sneaky sunrise run stole all my energy.  However, I did jump out of bed to watch one last sunrise.  In my pajamas, I walked across the island to a private dock at the end of the marina on the bay.  Another cloudy morning prevented a perfect sunrise, but it was still beautiful to watch nonetheless.

 

sunrise2

 

As I left the dock, I spotted some marking under the water’s surface.  At first, I mistook the marking for shark gills, but upon a closer observation I realized it was scars on a manatee.  Old scars ripped open by recent deep wide gashes with pieces of flesh still exposed and a quarter of his paddle tail missing.  Then, next two this gentle mangled giant, I spotted his “wife” and small calf.  The wife also had some scarring, but thankfully their young offspring has yet to know such a horror.  As I stared at the scars of the larger manatees, I wondered if boaters ignored “No Wake” signs like I ignored the “No Trespassing” signs the day before, however, no creatures were harmed with by brazen behavior.

 Manatee1

 

manatee2

 

baby manatee 

 

I must have sat for about 20 minutes on that dock watching the manatee family enjoying their breakfast.  And although I didn’t run that morning, I felt invigorated once again.