Goodbye St. Petersburg

 6/27/21

Today I went back to Fort De Soto Park, and I'm so glad I did. I found an amazing beach, quiet and uncrowded. My original intent was to take a long beach hike, I didn't bring a bathing suit. I wish I had. I decided to go back in the afternoon.

The water is warm, and tiny schools of fish sparkle in the water. I stood knee-deep in it for 45 minutes, mesmerized by the waves and the fish. The perfect blue sky, sun beating down on me, I think I could've stayed there longer. I wish I'd realized how perfect the beaches here were when I first got to St. Pete,  I now know to come back here and skip some of the more crowded beaches.

After my morning visit, I hit Pass-a-Grille beach to have fish spread (of course) and a Bloody Mary at The Wharf. Well, two Bloody Marys, actually. Sat and watched boats and birds for a while. 

My afternoon visit to Fort De Soto was right before a thunderstorm. I managed to park and get in the water for about half an hour before the storm came. The water was a little choppier and I didn't see the sparkly fish, but man, it felt amazing. Fort De Soto is a good reason to move to St. Pete. Hiking, glorious beaches, kayaking to Shell Key, I don't know if I require much more in life.

Later in the evening, I went to Pia's Trattoria in Gulfport. Gulfport is a cool place. The food was pretty good and the espresso martini was perfect. 

I'm a little sad to leave Florida. I know I will come back.