Revisiting Tradewinds

Beach at Tradewinds - only a few spring breakers

Thursday afternoon we walked over to Tradewinds, where we spent our first St. Pete Beach vacation two years ago.

The wind was blowing so hard that watercraft and parasailing equipment were being pulled out of the water. No one was in the water, though the waves looked inviting. I took my sandals off and the sand felt cool on my feet, not unbearably hot, as I had half expected.


The buffet looked good but cold and wind made outdoor eating impractical

We had a drink in the bar area (expensive: $16 for a Corona and a margarita) and I was happy to have my jacket because it was COLD! People watching was pretty good; wondered how the concrete repair convention attendees could be drinking in the middle of the afternoon -- those full of booze drinks like Long Island Iced Tea.

We were happy to have our little condo waiting for us when we headed back across the street.




Swimming for Manatees and Others

Manatee attracts an admiring crowd

Last year's record heat made swimming in the Gulf of Mexico so pleasant! On this vacation, Bob has discovered the pleasure of  a morning dip in an empty pool. Yesterday the sun was brilliant, and the Boca Ciega side of Gulf Boulevard was warm, especially after the temperature finally got above 60. We were both in the water for several hours.

A couple of manatees entertained us after we returned to our condo. They weren't "frolicking" like last year's manatees, but they seemed to be finding food and coming up regularly for air. We wondered if our mating manatees of 2012 had escaped the Red Tide disaster.