For me, vacation didn’t feel like it really started til Sunday. We left Disney in the afternoon and hit I-4 to drive out towards Tampa. It was a quick ride (70 mph speed limit!) and we pulled in with plenty of time to get into the pool. Sure, I had to work on Monday, but the Hilton at Clearwater Beach has special meaning for me. It was the first place Chris and I vacationed, back in 1994. That visit, we saw a couple get married. Last night I wondered if they were still together and celebrating 16 years of marriage…I sure hope so!
The hotel is nice, but cable is even more expensive than at Disney (grr, what happened to free wifi?) and I had no choice but to suck it up to work. Pier 60 is outside the hotel and on any day without rain there are vendors, musicians, artisans and others there 2 hours before and 2 hours after dusk. There’s also fishing. Sunday night it rained but on Monday night, there was a smattering of artisans & vendors out. We took the kids down and saw a couple of black dolphins diving right off the pier. Cool!
The drinks are reasonable, pool is fairly empty, and we’ve just learned where we can maybe get some Busch Gardens tickets. There’s also Tampa Aquarium and I’m sure we’ll see “Shrek 4” before leaving next Monday. The upside over the Disney visit is that you are not beholden to their meals alone. That means you can actually go out and get a pizza, or ice cream, or breakfast at the same restaurant we used to eat at in 1994! It costs a little more, but still great, cheap diner prices.
I feel really good now. The kids are doing great in the pool, and as long as the oil doesn’t head this way, we’ll have a great time.
Best thing? Zoe was just like a typical kid when we went to the beach. First, she buried her toes in the sand over & over, amazed by it. I remember when she wouldn’t touch sand.
Then, she chased some seagulls, trying to grab one and overjoyed by seeing a whole flock of them. I remember when animals scared her.
Next, she had fun in the surf. She loves having the waves hit her, but the rough seashells under her feet didn’t bother her at all.
Finally, she played in the pit Chris dug in the sand. Muddy sand and goopy water were a joy. As my kids say, amazing! It was such a joy to see her enjoy things that in the past made her miserable, scared or angry.
peace out, folks..I’m on vacation!
Katrina Stonoff says
What happened to free wi-fi indeed? It’s pretty much gone except at business hotels, and even then, you usually have to sign in.
Katrina Stonoff says
What happened to free wi-fi indeed? It’s pretty much gone except at business hotels, and even then, you usually have to sign in.
Anita says
Haven’t been to your blog before–accidentally visiting now, though I will be back ; )
First thing I see? “Hilton Clearwater Beach” ~~ Where I got married in 1999! Small, small world!
.-= Anita´s last blog ..Avowal, But Only To Keep My Fingers Busy =-.
admin says
Hi Anita, how awesome!! It must have been a lovely wedding, they do a great job! (No we did not wedding crash, but we were tempted, LOL…)
Anita says
Haven’t been to your blog before–accidentally visiting now, though I will be back ; )
First thing I see? “Hilton Clearwater Beach” ~~ Where I got married in 1999! Small, small world!
.-= Anita´s last blog ..Avowal, But Only To Keep My Fingers Busy =-.
admin says
Hi Anita, how awesome!! It must have been a lovely wedding, they do a great job! (No we did not wedding crash, but we were tempted, LOL…)
Stephanie says
I would much rather swim in a pool here than an ocean anyway! All the little creatures are cute and everything but I don’t want to get pinched, stung, bit or poked by any of them! I’ll stick to chlorine ridden, kid infested creature free pools.
Cool that you were/ (live?) in Florida, I’m in St. Petersburg, well until July then we will be in Orlando.
Have an amazing day!
My Mommy/makeup blog.
admin says
You are funny. A lake is always nice, a lot less pee and jellyfish…lol…
Welcome to mom blog Stephanie, helluva email address…
Stephanie says
I would much rather swim in a pool here than an ocean anyway! All the little creatures are cute and everything but I don’t want to get pinched, stung, bit or poked by any of them! I’ll stick to chlorine ridden, kid infested creature free pools.
Cool that you were/ (live?) in Florida, I’m in St. Petersburg, well until July then we will be in Orlando.
Have an amazing day!
My Mommy/makeup blog.
admin says
You are funny. A lake is always nice, a lot less pee and jellyfish…lol…
Welcome to mom blog Stephanie, helluva email address…