A Stop in Sarasota with Shawna

20 May 202230 April 2025

It was a bit of a late night with Bill, but knowing that I would be leaving for Miami with Shawna, I was well rested and ready to make our drive to South Beach. Skipping breakfast for a head start, we decided that Sarasota would be a great place for lunch.

We said goodbye to the Don Cesar, made a couple of stops before crossing the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Nearing Sarasota, we were crazy hungry and ready for a break to stretch our legs. We found a lovely restaurant to have lunch along the intercoastal.

The weather was absolutely gorgeous for lunch along the intercoastal. The menu was absolutely amazing and we each ordered a drink while taking in our surroundings. I could have stayed here instead of driving the three-and-a-half hour drive to Miami-Dade.

The bacon and blue cheese salad was incredible. Seagulls stared back at us from the walkway posts as Shawna and I decided the quickest route. I’m not sure if eating was the best option as both of us were now ready for a nap. If we wanted to miss afternoon traffic, we would need to leave within the hour.

We decided on one last beverage before hitting the road, so I opted for a non-alcoholic fruity drink as I would be the first to drive. Besides, knowing Melissa, she will have already scheduled out our day and I wouldn’t want to ruin her plans. It was always an adventure with Melissa.

Have you had a fun day on a road trip? What did you do? I would love to hear about your adventure if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for readying about my adventure in Florida and wishing you many happy travels!

Bill and Shawna in Oldsmar

13 May 202230 April 2025

I had been waiting for my friend, and former boss, Bill to call when I checked into the Don Cesar Hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida. Bill and I worked together at the Tampa International Airport and he was from Hendersonville, Tennessee. Everyone loved Bill not only because of his southern accent, but although ten years older than most of us, he wouldn’t miss the opportunity to hang out with us.

I dropped off my luggage and hurried to the beach for a moment to take in the Gulf of Mexico. It was a full day of travel and I was so excited to pick up Shawna from the airport. I was hoping that she would be up for hanging out, but tomorrow, we would make the drive back to Miami to spend more time with her cousin and my best friend, Melissa.

Sitting at a table with a Mojito in hand, Shawna had called to let me know she had arrived but was waiting to in baggage claim as her luggage had not arrived. I finished my drink and began the short drive to the St. Pete-Clearwater Beach airport. Shawna had her second wind and wanted to find a place for dinner.

So excited to see Shawna, we found Jack Willie’s Bar and Grill in Oldsmar and ordered our dinner of wings and a salad. We caught up on how she was doing at the Montessori, reminisced about our girl’s trip to Turkey and discussed what we may want to do when we reached Miami.

I loved spending time with Shawna. She is intelligent, funny, spontaneous and a wonderful mother to her two girls and son. Never a dull moment with this girl and her positive spirit just gravitates you towards her.

After a long day of travel, Shawna was extremely tired and was not up for a night of karaoke, a favorite past time for Bill. She agreed to drop me off at nearby Peggy O’Neill’s Irish Pub and Eatery so I could follow up with Bill and reminisce about our time in Tampa. He agreed to bring me back to the hotel, so she left within minutes to rest for the night.

Bill was full of energy and could not wait to meet up again and catch up about all of our friends that we worked with at the airport. He was always such a support of my singing and so karaoke was such a fun pastime that we shared. If it wasn’t for Bill, I would not have had the opportunity to sing with a band that performed each week at the PGA Sawgrass. What an amazing experience. Bill and I had such a great time at Busch Gardens and Peggy O’Neill’s. We spent a couple of hours singing our favorite songs until it was time for the bar to close (of course). It was a lovely night that I will never forget.

Little did I know that it would be the last time I would spend with Bill Harper. A couple of years later, Bill passed away and it was such an incredibly sad day. A man that loved life and was the life of the party, he would surely be missed by all who had ever known him.

Have you experienced such a memorable event that you will never forget? Whether it was the last time to spend with a friend, a breathtaking view or an experience that would be etched in your mind forever, I would love to hear about it if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my favorite people and our reconnections. Wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Peggy O’Neill’s Irish Pub and Eatery
13910 W Hillsborough Ave
Oldsmar, FL 33635
Telephone: 813 749 7192

Where to Stay:

The Don CeSar
3400 Gulf Boulevard
St. Pete Beach, Florida 33706
Telephone: 844 338 1501

Where to Eat:

Jack Willie’s
1013 St. Petersburg Drive West
Oldsmar, FL 34677
Telephone: 813 749 7932

A Visit to Pinellas County, Florida and Busch Gardens

29 April 202219 April 2025

I woke early to make the four and a half hour journey to St. Petersburg, Florida. I was picking up my friend Shawna to take her back to Miami. In the meantime, I was excited to meet up with another friend of mine Bill for a visit to Busch Gardens and then karaoke.

The weather was absolutely beautiful as I crossed the Sunshine Skyway Bridge. Years ago, working for the cruise lines, our ship would pass under the bridge on its way to Key West. Later, while living in Tampa, I always looked forward to driving over the bridge when visiting Sarasota, Fort Myers or Sanibel Island.

Arriving in Pinellas County, I made my pilgrimage to The Frog Pond, a breakfast restaurant where I worked with my friend Theresa. We would bus tables, arriving as early as 6AM but finish the day by 2PM. Our favorite days were when Hulk Hogan would stop by with Linda for breakfast, driving up on his Hulkster. We still laugh about it to this day.

The condo where Theresa and I lived was at Gull Harbor, conveniently close to the The Frog Pond. Her father had just met his girlfriend, so when he moved in with her, he allowed us to stay at his place paying a small monthly fee. The property was beautiful with a gorgeous pool and spectacular views of North Redington Beach. I had no idea how lucky we were to live here and love to stop by each time I visit.

I had made arrangements to meet my friend Bill at Busch Gardens. We had both worked together at the Tampa Airport and he was now taking tickets at the park. When I arrived, he had a couple of additional hours to work and then we would hang out at the park riding rides and visiting the animals.

One of my favorite rides at Busch Gardens is the Skyride where I can see many of the animals in the safari park.

I remember when the Kumba first opened in 1993. There was so much hype and press covering its opening and having friends who worked at the park was the best advantage.

The SheiKra climbs 200 that slowly reaches the top the stops. The pause seems endless as you wait before diving down at 70 miles per hour. There is an Immelmann loop, a second dive into an underground tunnel and the splashdown finale where those that are waiting in line are sure to be drenched.

The Cheetah Hunt was my favorite ride as it shoots immediately out of the gate at an incredible speed. The coaster makes its way to the top only to plunge down through a rocky gorge. It is the longest roller coaster at the park.

One of my favorite attractions at Busch Gardens was the Animal Care Center where I could watch the medical team work on an eagle’s wing.

Busch Gardens opened its animal care facility in 2012 at an estimated cost of $5 million. From nutrition to treatments, X-rays to surgeries, visitors are able to watch the animal care team take on some animal science’s major challenges in their state of the art facility while guests watch the team care for over 200 species of animals.

The day was amazing with so many rides, animals and incredible experiences, but it wouldn’t have been complete without a photo with Big Bird!

Have you visited Busch Gardens in Tampa? What was your favorite activity at the park? I would love to hear about your visit if you would kindly leave a message in the comments section below. Many thanks for reading about my amazing day on the west coast of Florida and wishing you many Happy Travels!

What to See and What to Do:

Busch Gardens Tampa
10165 N McKinley Dr
Tampa, FL 33612
Telephone: 1 813 884 4FUN (4386)

Admission Fee: There are several entrance pass options (i.e., single day, two-day pass, annual pass, any day ticket and four-park passes) ranging from $43.33 per day. The website outlines each option along pricing.
Hours: Open daily from 10AM but closing time may change throughout the season, so confirm with the park prior to visiting.
Amenities: Rides and Attractions, Entertainment, Restaurants, Baggage storage area, Gift Shop, Private Tours, Safaris, Kid-Friendly and Educational Events
Length of Visit: With so much to do at the park, try to arrive when the park opens and stay until it closes. Check the Busch Gardens website for additional activities.
Tips for Your Visit: Reservations are highly recommended especially during high season. Wear comfortable shoes for the park and book additional experiences in advance as they sell out quickly.

The Sunshine Skyway Bridge (I-275 South from St. Petersburg, Florida to Sarasota, Florida)

Where to Stay:

Don Cesar Hotel
3400 Gulf Beach Boulevard
St. Petersburg, FL 33706
Telephone: 884 338 1501

Where to Eat:

The Frog Pond
16909 Gulf Blvd.
North Redington Beach, FL
Telephone: 727 392 4117

What to Read: