Beach, Beer, and a Best Friend

Sunday brought me to Fort Myers/Cape Coral. My best friend from high school, Casey, lives there and was going to take me on a tour for the day. It was so awesome to see him, I have missed him so much!

We first went to this place called The Shell Factory. It is this fun little tourist trap place that had a bunch of different things to do. It was a little run down, but that is all a part of its charm. When you walk in you cross a boardwalk where you can see TONS of turtles swimming in the water and sunbathing with koi fish. From there you walk to a small pavilion with picnic tables and a carousel on the right. There were a few other carnival-like rides as well. There is a mini-golf course that was not yet open but looked like it would be fun for families. A little further to the right was the entrance to a nature park where you could see all kinds of different animals.

We skipped all of those things and headed for the gift shop. It was an enormous shop that was filled with gaudy baubles made out of shells from the beach, personalized souvenirs that the kids would break within a week, and fun little toys and trinkets for the little ones. There was also a church sculpture made entirely out of shells that was really neat. (I wish I had taken a photo, but I didn't, so here is one from the net)

Photo Credit: https://townietourist.com/blog/the-shell-factory-is-so-much-more

We wandered around the store for a while, looking at all of the things that kids would be begging their parents for. I myself found many different things that I would have bugged my parents to buy when I was younger such as necklaces with shark teeth, shells with designs carved into the back of them, stuffed animals, and little bracelets with names or phrases on them. 

After leaving the Shell Factory we headed down to Bonita Springs. Sadly we had to put the top up on the convertible on the way down because it began to rain. We drove around Bonita and looked at the nice houses along the ocean. We ended in Fort Myers Beach. There was a gorgeous pier that had just reopened so we took a walk up the pier and watched all of the people who were fishing while egrets and pelicans were on standby, waiting for a tasty morsel to be dropped. The air was warm, the water was a gorgeous blue/green that you just don't see in New England, there was live music coming from a bar on the shore...It was so relaxing and peaceful. 

 

We decided that it was time for some food and beer so we wandered over to a street that had restaurants and shops. We found a place called House of Brewz/Bury Me, Brewing/Zushi Zushi (it was all of those combined into one place). We had flights of delicious craft beer, some tasty crab rangoon, and amazing coconut shrimp. The place was small and they weren't able to have many customers in there at one time due to social distancing practices. It was a pretty good atmosphere overall. 

 

After we had our fill we wandered down the street and went into a couple of the shops. One of them had all of these gorgeous geodes that were expensive but so pretty. There were toys for kids, jewelry, pyrite rocks (those were my jam when I was a kid!), and some other pricy sculptures and figurines made out of shells and rare stones. It was a neat little place and whatever candle or incense they were burning smelled amazing. We walked down to the end of the street and looked out over the water, then turned back and went to a place called the Yucatan Bar & Grill. Drink time! Both cocktails were delicious, but the Strawberry Swirl was the winner. It was like a frozen smoothie with Dragon Berry vodka. Delish!

After that we headed back to Casey's place, talked, had margaritas, and enjoyed a warm evening out on his balcony. It was wonderful. I am really looking forward to moving down here so he and I can enjoy a lot more time together!

On the way home from Ft. Myers, I was on I-75 Northbound and there was a black pickup truck in front of me swerving all over the place. After watching him drift into the middle lane and then swerve back, drift to the shoulder and swerve back, and almost hit two cars passing him, I called Florida Highway Patrol. I gave the dispatcher the make and model of the car, the license plate number, the mile marker number, and our approximate speed so they could get someone ahead of us to stop him. She said they would get troopers out there right away. I stayed behind him, watching for troopers to come out of the median. Nothing. Still swerving, this time the guy almost hits a semi. I call dispatch again, let them know that he almost took out a truck, what mile marker we were at now, and to please hurry because he was going to hurt someone. She said she was working on getting troopers. I stayed behind him in case I needed to be a witness when he crashed. We went 37 miles....37....no troopers. Never saw a single police officer. Finally the guy made his exit from the highway and that was that. I hope that he safely made it to his destination without hurting himself or anyone else. I was disappointed by the lack of response from FHP but it is a busy holiday weekend so maybe they were tied up with other drunks. 

Today was a low-key day, went to Wesley Chapel to visit my friend Savannah and her little munchkin. Had lunch at Chuy's, this awesome Mexican restaurant in town, hung out at Sav's house for the afternoon, did a little photoshoot with her and the kiddo. Then I came down to check in to my AirBnb, took off for dinner at World of Beer, and that brings me to now, typing up this post that probably no one will even seen because Facebook has deemed that this blog is spam and has blocked the link from being posted. Oh Facebook. 

Tomorrow will be much less exciting during the day as I have to work, but am planning on heading over to Clearwater and Saint Pete for some photos opps (if the clouds clear a bit). 

Traveling During a Pandemic...It's Interesting...

Today I flew down to my happy place, Tampa. It was a whole new ballgame this time around. The last time I came down was March and things had not been shutdown at that point. They starting shutting down when we got back home. This time there were so many changes to the way I normally travel to Tampa, it took some getting used to.

First off, the airport in Manchester was downright eerie. It was like there were zombies or monsters just waiting to jump out at you in the silent and empty terminals. I walked right up to security and went through, no lines, no waiting. That was definitely a positive. Once I was in the terminal itself, I was sad to find that the Sam Adams Brewhouse was closed, even though there was a sign that stated that they were open. Tease. I walked up and down the length of the airport three times because I was bored.

Another positive came in the form of early boarding and early departure. There were only 33 people on the flight. Hello window seat and no one sitting in my row with me! Once we arrived at the Baltimore airport I was sad to see that not only were the good restaurants still closed, but my favorite Mexican restaurant at BWI had been replaced by a Fire & Ice. I walked around BWI for half an hour or so but there were so many people at this airport, it was hard to get anywhere (always getting stuck behind the slow walkers).

Finally, we arrived in Tampa. Masks were not required at the airport itself, but they had been on the flight. After a one hour flight from MHT to BWI and then a 2.5 hour flight from BWI to TPA, I was ready to tear the covering from my face. I wore a thin scarf over my face because it was the only thing I could somewhat breathe in without having an asthma attack. I have to give props to healthcare workers and anyone that has to wear a mask their entire shift. I would never be able to do it.

It was a pretty normal night after that. I checked in to my AirBnb and then went back into Tampa to get dinner. Sadly the World of Beer location that I went to first in Tampa was a bust, they ignored me for 40 minutes after I was seated so I gave up and walked out. I went to the location in Brandon as it was closer to my AirBnb anyway. Big difference! Seated right away, drink order taken in less than two minutes, and drink on the table in less than two after that. At the first location I went to there were parties of 6-10 at two tables next to me and they were getting all of the attention. Don't single diners deserve some drinks and food too?

So things I learned today from traveling during a pandemic:

- Wearing a mask on the entire flight SUCKS
- There are no lines at security
- Don't get too excited about the airport alcohol that you will not be drinking
- People still have no idea what 6 feet means
- Larger parties at a restaurant = more money therefore are more important

And the number one thing:

- It doesn't matter if there is a pandemic, if a lot of places are closed down or have restrictions, or if you have to make accomodations to wear a mask....I AM IN MY HAPPY PLACE.

I almost cried little happy tears when I heard the words "Welcome to Tampa" over the speaker on the plane. Driving around with the music up, the top down, and the warm breeze...there is just nothing more freeing and soul-clensing.

Tomorrow I head to Fort Myers/Cape Coral to visit with my good friend and engage in shenanigans and debauchery.

Tampa, Florida

Tampa is by far my favorite location in the US. So much so in fact that I will be a resident in a few years. I have visited ten times in the last year and a half with three more trips scheduled this year (leaving on Saturday for the first of the three!) There is so much to do and see in this city and I am happy to share all of it with you. Buckle up, there's going to be a lot of information!

Popular Tourist Spots:

First we will start with some of the most popular tourist spots and attractions in Tampa. If you are planning to visit multiple attractions, there is a great way to save money on admission prices.

CityPass offers passes that include the following attractions for one price:
- Busch Gardens
- Florida Aquarium
- Clearwater Aquarium or Chihuly Collection
- ZooTampa at Lowry Park
- Museum of Science and Industry or The Tropics Boat Tour

CityPass will sometimes run specials, but the normal price for one adult pass is $119 and a child's pass (ages 3-9) is $109. The admission to Busch Gardens for one day alone covers almost that entire cost, so even if you are only able to do Busch Gardens and one other attraction, it has paid for itself. https://www.citypass.com/tampa

Now, on to the attractions!

Busch Gardens - https://buschgardens.com/tampa/

Florida Aquarium -  https://www.flaquarium.org/

ZooTampa at Lowry Park -  https://zootampa.org/

Adventure Island Waterpark (Part of Busch Gardens, combo tickets available on BG's website - https://adventureisland.com/

Big Cat Rescue - https://bigcatrescue.org/ (Yes, this is the park run by Carole Baskin as featured in Tiger King, but it's the good park that cares for their animals!)

Riverwalk - https://thetampariverwalk.com/ (Boat rides, sightseeing, walking paths)

Museum of Science and Industry - https://www.mosi.org/ (More for younger children, but there are hands-on activities that teens may find interesting)

Glazer Children's Museum - https://glazermuseum.org/ (LOTS of fun for kids, many different hands-on activities to keep them busy!)

Tampa Museum of Art - https://tampamuseum.org/

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - https://www.seminolehardrocktampa.com/ (Great shows and food, gambling not required!) I like to go to the Hard Rock inside of the casino for the happy hour specials.

Croc Encounters - http://www.crocencounters.com/ Both guided and self-guided tours are available (although right now it's guided tours only due to the pandemic). You will get to see crocs and other wildlife up close and personal and even get to hold a baby alligator!


Off-The-Beaten-Path

Wat Mongkolratanaram Thai Temple - https://wattampainenglish.com/ They host food markets in the morning so you can try traditional Thai food. You can also immerse yourself in the culture of the Thai monks and religions.

Centro Ybor - https://centroybor.com/ Ybor City is a small section of Tampa that is located just outside of downtown Tampa. You can easily get there by car (there are many parking lots available along the main road) and by TECO (Trolley system running from downtown Tampa through Ybor, see below for link to TECO site). Centro Ybor houses restaurants, an AMAZING gourmet popsicle shop called The Hyppo (try the horchata popsicle and the Mexican chocolate ones. You won't be disappointed!) a salon, and even an improv comedy theater.

Dysfunctional Grace Art Co. - https://dysfunctional-grace.mybigcommerce.com/ This spot may not be everyone's taste, but I found it to be absolutely fascinating! They host a collection of vintage medical equipment, organs (real ones) in jars, jewelry with things like octopus tentacles in a vial, and even a casket. It's definitely a little on the macabre side, but if you like that kind of thing, pop in and take a look around!

Hindu Temple of Florida - https://www.htfl.org/ If you are interested in different religions and cultures or architecture from around the world, this is a great place to visit! You can take a tour through the temple on certain days with an experienced guide. You can also attend festivals and services. Please be advised that to enter the temple in order to respect the culture, you must wear modest clothing and you will have to take your shoes off before you step onto the temple stairs (so wear socks or have some in your pocket/purse if you are wearing flip flops)

Hong Kong Willie's - http://hongkongwillie.blogspot.com/2010/06/red-worms-tampa.html Now this is one of those fun little tourist spots that really makes you appreciate junk-turned-into-art. He collects different things like buoys and nets and decorates the building with them. It's a hodgepodge of sea items that is really fun to look at, and if you are a photographer, is a goldmine for creative shots.

South Howard Ave Murals - A walk or drive along South Howard Ave, located off of Bayshore Blvd, will provide a cornucopia of murals that are perfect backdrops for fun photos!


Public Transportation:

There are many different types of public transportation in Tampa. You have the usual taxis, ride shares (Uber, Lyft, etc), public buses, and the TECO streetcar.

TECO runs daily. It has a short route, but it a nice scenic ride that brings you to downtown Tampa, the cruise ports, and Ybor City. They even have live music concerts on the streetcars on the first Saturday of each month! http://www.tecolinestreetcar.org/#/home

Public Buses - http://www.gohart.org/ Maps and routes available

Water Taxis:

Tampa Water Taxi - https://tampawatertaxico.com/

Pirate Water Taxi - https://www.piratewatertaxi.com/


Eats & Drinks:

Looking for places to eat? Here are some of my favorites in the city:

Mr. Empanada - The pizza empanada, beef & cheese, apple & caramel, and guava & cream cheese are the BOMB. Highly recommend!! https://www.mrempanada.com/

Whiskey Joe's - The view from this restaurant is amazing. You are right on Ben T Davis Beach off of the Courtney Campbell Causeway. Relax out on the beach under tiki torches with a drink in hand, listen to live music on the stage while the sun sets as the oceans waves lap at your feet. The coconut rum chicken is flavorful and the portions are huge! Alligator bites are an interesting appetizer if you are willing to try them (I am not very adventurous with my food but I did not mind these). The strawberry-guava BBQ ribs are to die for. For drinks the Gator Juice, Gator Killer, Raspberry Orange Cooler, and Passionfruit or Coconut margaritas are refreshing! Photo below was taken in the beach area of the restaurant. https://www.thewhiskeyjoes.com/

Tampa Bay Brewing Company - Located in Centro Ybor, TBBC is a hotspot at lunchtime with people coming in from downtown to enjoy a hearty meal, pub appetizers, or an ice cold beer. There are many different types of beer on tap that are brewed in-house. The Brewhouse Pretzel is a great partner for a flight of beer and the shrimp tacos are a fresh meal that will fill you up. My favorite of the ones that I sampled was the Double Coast Lager. Light and refreshing on a hot summer day! https://www.tbbc.beer/home

Mission BBQ - I know this is a chain, but we don't have any up here in NH and I wish we did! You can get a PILE of shredded meat, cornbread, mac n cheese, green beans & bacon, cole slaw, and so much more. When you sit at the table there are carriers that hold some of the best BBQ sauces I have ever tried. My favorite was the Tupelo Honey Heat. https://mission-bbq.com/

Datz - This place has a great variety of food and drinks and a little quirk thrown in. I enjoyed the street chicken tacos. Very generous portions. I was stuffed by the end! The Kelly Kapowski drink serves up a little sweet, a little tang, and a side of nostalgia for us 90s kids. To end the night we got Coral Cake to share and it was outstanding (and this is coming from someone that does not like cake)! https://datztampa.com/

Eddie & Sam's Pizza - Located in downtown Tampa, Eddie and Sam's dishes out monster slices of fresh pizza. There are so many different types to choose from, it's really hard to pick. I am a sucker for a good old slice of pepperoni, but they have pizzas for everyone from the most discerning meat lovers to vegetarians. You can dine in, but on a nice day I recommend taking your slices to go and making a quick walk over to the Curtis Hixson Waterfront park to take in the views and fresh air while you feast. https://www.eddieandsamspizza.com/

Revolution Ice Cream Co - Conveniently located right near ZooTampa (who wouldn't want ice cream after a hot day walking around the zoo?) is Revolution. A small craft ice cream shop in a strip mall with so many choices and delicious flavors you will need to go back often to try everything. They will let you sample flavors so you can get a feel for what you want a whole dish of. They have very interesting flavors such as Porky's Delight (vanilla with bacon and bacon brittle), Callie's Hotcakes (pancake flavored ice cream with maple syrup), and What's Up Nutter Fudger? (chocolate ice cream, crunchy peanut butter, and peanut butter wafers). They change their flavors constantly so keep an eye out on their website for the new ones that pop up every month. https://revicecream.com/pages/flavours

Karaoke

I am a HUGE karaoke diva, so I make sure I find places to sing when I am down there! These are a couple I have been to that were a really fun time.

Gaspar's Patio & Grill - This place was SO MUCH FUN. I went alone and didn't know anyone there, but by the end of the night had made friends, shared laughs, and had some fantastic and very reasonably priced drinks. The karaoke talent was out in full force and even those who may not have been the best singers had great energy. The crowd was really welcoming and supportive of every single person that had the guts to get up and sing. https://www.gasparspatio.com/

Pete's Place South - While the karaoke here was a lot of fun, the drinks were cheap and varied, and the karaoke DJ was really nice, the thing that I liked the most about this place was that it was non-smoking in the karaoke lounge area. My friend who was pregnant was out with us and we were having a really hard time finding somewhere smoke-free. This place was great and the crowd was really lively and so much fun!  https://www.petesplacesouth.com/


I will update as I travel, so keep an eye out for new additions!

Adventure Awaits!

Hi, my name is Krystle and I'm a travelaholic.

It all started with yearly family vacations. My parents would take my sister and I to different states every year. We would visit theme parks, historic sites (although I was admittedly a brat when it came to these), and tourist attractions. by far my favorite family vacation was in 1999. My entire family including grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins took a trip to Disney for a week and it was amazing. (sadly when we returned home we found a pipe had burst and destroyed half of the house, but it still didn't ruin the memory of that incredible week)

I am grateful every day for the love of travel that was passed down by my mother and father.

Now, as a parent myself, I try to take my son on a vacation every year, just like my parents did for me. We don't spend a lot of money on Christmas and birthdays. Material things don't bring that much happiness. What does bring happiness is travel. Sharing my love of exploring with my son and creating memories that will last a lifetime rather than buying an expensive gaming system that will be obsolete within a year or two is a way of life in our home. Our first real vacation was to NYC when my son was five. He was so well-behaved and really seemed to enjoy himself. Since then we have been to Washington DC, Boston, Portland, Toronto, Niagara Falls, Montreal, Orlando, Tampa, Baltimore, Williamsburg, Bridgeport, and Providence. This year we were supposed to go to Saint Louis but sadly that trip was cancelled because of the pandemic. Next year we will reschedule. This fall I may take him to Atlanta for a long weekend.

Today I was speaking with someone about a trip to Tampa that they had to postpone and I asked if they would like recommendations for things to do and see in the Tampa Bay area and the idea for a travel blog was born. Why not share interesting places that you may not find on a simple google search, or share money-saving tips?

I will make a post for individual cities that will include popular attractions, off-the-beaten-path attractions, and different ways to save money in the area.

I hope you enjoy reading this and are able to make some travel plans in the very near future. Material things come and go, but life experiences and exploration create memories that last forever..

~K

Clearwater/Gulf of Mexico Sunset taken from the Clearwater Fun Boat