Weekend in Tampa

Doug and I took some vacation time and went to Tampa, Florida to visit some friends (Ken & Connie Davidson) (Ken & Kim Spooner).  Here is a summary of our trip.

Jackie took us to the airport at 5:20am on Thursday, March 3rd. Our flight was at 7:05am
We arrived in Tampa around 10:30 am; Rented a car from Advantage and made our way to the Embassy Suites hotel. Our room was not quite ready, so we went and found a place for lunch.
Seasons 52

After lunch we went to the hotel to rest up a little before driving to Indian Rocks Beach to visit with the Ken & Connie. Ken and Connie live in Ottawa Canada but vacation in Tampa part of the winter.
Doug has worked with Ken up until his retirement from DeLaRue, so it was very nice to reconnect with Ken and meet his lovely wife Connie.  After a few drinks, we walked about 4 blocks for dinner to Guppy's.
http://www.3bestchefs.com/guppys/
Doug had the Grouper and I had the Amberjack. All the dishes were fabulous!!

We spent the rest of the evening sharing stories, drinking and laughing!!

Saturday morning, we stopped at Total Wine to pick up some wine for dinner. Then we drove back to Indian Rocks Beach and spent most of the day exploring the coastal area around Indian Rocks Beach. We drove North on Gulf Blvd. towards the Clearwater area. We got a chance to get out and walk the white sandy beach. I even got my toes wet. The water was cool to me, but it was not stopping some from enjoying it. I just love the sound of the crashing waves and the feel of the sand between my toes!!!!

After we were done exploring on the beach, back in the car and we headed South through Madeira Beach and ended up at John's Pass for shopping/lunch on the Boardwalk at The Friendly Fisherman Seafood Restaurant. http://www.gofriendlyfisherman.com/
Doug and I shared a Grouper sandwich. It was delicious!   

John's Pass is a quaint turn-of-the-century fishing village is Pinellas County’s #1 tourist attraction. Over one hundred merchants inhabit the Village with unique retail shopping, a variety of restaurants, the local fishing fleet, dolphin watching and shelling tours, boat rentals, parasailing and jet skiing. We had the opportunity to see a few dolphins swimming in the area.

Soon it was time to start heading back to Indian Rocks Beach...but not before a "SURPRISE" detour to Mahuffers in Indian Shores.   Mahuffers was started nearly 40 years ago and is a time capsule of what old Florida used to be... before the Yankees came down and ruined it. The bar is filled with salvaged boats, crab trap markers, bikes, bouys, dollar bills...lots and lots of dollar bills plus underwear and bras of all Shapes and Size. They have been on tv and in newspapers as a place you must experience, so if you are in the area, follow the yellow brick road to warm beer and lousy blues... to the wurst place on the beach! Just remember: DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING!  Beers are served from the typical red and white ice chest. There are no happy hour prices because all day, every day the prices will make you happy!

 

Back at the Davidson cottage, Connie was finishing up her take on Julia Child's Beef Bourguignon with garlic mashed potatoes, maple syrup glazed carrots. They had brought the maple syrup all the way from Canada.

Doug and I had never had beef bourguignon before, but it was so delicious and everyone had seconds.  Julia Child would have been proud!!  Now I'm going to have to get out the Julia N Julia movie to watch :-)

But before dinner we had a little show. Grace (the Davidson's Jack Russell terrier) was having a discussion with a leaf on the neighbors roof  when she backed up in to the swimming pool. The poor thing was desperately trying to get out and Ken rescued her without too much trouble. But the next thing you know, Connie is running to get some tap water to rinse of Grace to remove the pool chemicals. Doug continued to tease her that the dog was so spoiled they were using "Perrier" water to rinse her. It was not the case, but was alot of fun none-the-less.

 

Grace after her pool/creme rinse

 After dinner we did a lot more drinking and visiting, sharing of family photos and vacations. We hated to go but eventually had to call it a night. We hope to be able to visit the Davidson's in Ottawa this summer, when it is about 100 degrees in the Dallas area. Look out Ken/Connie..here we come!

Saturday morning, we ventured to Total Wine & More to pick up some Italian wine to take to the Spooners. We went to Ybor City for lunch. We finally settled on the Tampa Bay Brewing Company. Established in 1995, Tampa Bay Brewing Company is Florida’s oldest brewpub!
Doug and I shared a Cubano sandwich and some Amberjack fish spread along with a few local beers.

After lunch we were off to the Spooners. Kim was still at school and Haley was at a school car wash fundraiser so Ken entertained us until Kim arrived home with some pizza and salad.  We spent the evening catching up and drinking wine.

Sunday morning, the Spooners made bacon, scrambled eggs, fruit salad and cinnamon rolls for breakfast. Doug and I returned the rental car and then we were off to Adventure Achery. Doug and I hadn't done this since high school for a P.E. (physical education) credit.

Archers Doug & Ken                 Archers: Dee and Doug

It was loads of fun! Can't wait for find a local spot for us to try this in the Dallas area.

We had worked up an appetite and were off to lunch at Ulele on the Tampa Riverwalk.
Everything was wonderful from the Lobster Mac-n-Cheese as an appetizer to the Candied Maple Bacon ice cream for dessert. I had the Mahi-Mahi Oreinte: bronzed mahi mahi with an Anjou pear salsa, fresh watercress tossed with Craisins, sliced almonds, sunflower seeds with a jalapeno pear vinagrette. Doug had Juan's Snapper: cast iron seared snapper filet, spanish aioli, with white truffle garlic spinach.  So good!!

We left the restaurant around 4pm and drove around Davis Island, watching the Holland America and Norweigen Star leave port and admiring the homes for sale. Before we know it, it is time to depart for the airport and our flight home to Dallas.

We had so much fun on this trip and when I was talking to Jackie on the phone I day, she said "You crazy kids...sound like a bunch of spring breakers!"
I think we would take that as a compliment. More good times ahead for sure.
Thanks to all those that put up with us and we will see you soon!!!!!!!!