Weather is a concern for many people on vacation. Just when we thought in July that we were never going to get rain again…we got RAIN, big time! So far, however, no hurricane warnings, which makes everyone happy I think.

At first I thought they were cow-nosed rays which I love to swim with, but these clearly had the mouth wrapping around the front of their faces (see photo) so I knew what they were, I was just totally surprised. I was around for most of this summer and I am glad to say that overall nature seems to be surviving pretty well despite our interferences. I have even seen some things I’ve never seen before. For instance, I saw a school of manta rays as I was swimming one day.

Hopefully they get straightened out and come back to our shores. On the other hand, I have not seen any Southern Stingrays off shore birthing their young. It may be that because of the red tide last year, they are avoiding us this year.

The skimmer bird made a great show this year, skimming along the shoreline with their dislocateable jaw. If they hit a rock or shell, it simply snaps back into place-the wonders of nature. And who says fishermen aren’t compassionate? I saw a man catch a huge snook at the point of Pass-a-Grille and was most pleased when I saw him de-hook it and return it to the Gulf. He said he had enough fish for the day.

Sometimes you’ll see a flock of them flying which is quite a sight. At other times you might see them carefully aerating grass as they get their evening meal. If you’ve been walking the beach or a golf course, I am sure you have seen the Ibis poking around the ground for coquinas, worms, grubs…you name it.

Has anyone noticed how St. Pete Beach seems to be blessed when storms start rolling in? We get the beautiful view of them and then they split in half and go right around us. I have seen this happen several times this summer and it is quite a sight to behold. Let’s hope that all hurricanes follow the same path.Rain. Go figure. It rains on one side of the street but not the other. It rains on 70th Avenue but not on 60th I remember when I was ten or so I was standing on the seawall by Merry Pier. Rain was coming towards me so I waited to get drenched. But I didn’t. The rain stopped right on the bay side of the seawall so I could reach my arm in and it got wet, but I was nice and dry on the other side!

Lightening. Don’t go figure, just go run for cover. We have had some awesome storms with lightening close enough to make the hairs on my arms stand straight up, but I still sit on my porch and watch every strike I can see. My Mom used to sit with me and we’d just ooooohhh and awwwwhh over the incredible patterns God was painting in the sky. When I say go run for cover, however, please make it inside a building if possible. If you are caught on a golf course or in a field, find a ravine or gully and curl up inside-you want to be the lowest thing around. Do not go under a tree. If lightening strikes the tree (because it is the tallest thing around), it bursts out through the roots and you don’t want to be standing on them when that happens!

And most important of all TADAH!!! On September 22nd I turn 69 and I am happy to be seeing another birthday. Please come join me at the Sea Side Grille on 10th Avenue and the beach side in Pass-a-Grille one hour BEFORE sunset for a fine celebration. The last time I did this for my 65th birthday, 75 people showed up and some of them I didn’t even know, which was an even bigger treat. So bring your favorite dish (homemade or bought) and come join the fun. We’re going to ring the bell and bless each other that we are here, living, and living in paradise no less. Hope to see you there.

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If you are planning to spend a vacation or holiday in Orlando or at Disney World, then one of the first things you need to do is to figure out what kind of accommodations are best for you. Disney World is of course a good choice for the younger crowd as the park features a fun atmosphere featuring the many Disney characters. Choose summer for the warmest days at water parks; winter holidays including Christmas and New Year’s Eve feature special events at Disney parks; and fall and spring are great times to find vacation values and smaller crowds at Orlando’s popular attractions. Orlando, Florida, vacations are practically synonymous with Disney vacations, and first-time Orlando visitors and veterans alike will agree – the attractions at the Disney World Resort in Orlando, Florida are a must-see.

St Pete Beach is just minutes away, and the area is renowned for spectacular rivers, nature preserves, state forests, world-class fishing and championship golf. St Pete Beach ranks as one of the best beaches in Florida, especially on the West Coast of Florida. St Pete Beach, on the central gulf coast of Florida, has a small town atmosphere with plenty of vacation amenities within walking distance. St Pete Beach vacation rentals are just a few miles from St Petersburg, FL, and about 35 miles from Tampa, FL.

St Pete Beach Hotels and St Pete Beach Resorts offer accommodations on some of the best beaches directly on the Gulf of Mexico. St Pete Beach is not as populated with tourists as Clearwater Beach but still offers beautiful sunsets, popular nightlife, great restaurants & plenty of day and night activities. St Pete Beach Wave runners offer a riding experience unlike any in the Tampa Bay Area. The Gulf beaches are known for warm, white sands, pristine waters, palm trees, and dolphins.

St Pete Beach Florida has a great assortment of hotels and resorts. Don Cesar Is the hotel resort known as Florida’s Legendary Pink Palace since 1928, the luxury resort is revered internationally for its sprawling, sugar-white beach, unparalleled dining, rejuvenating Beach Club & Spa, fabulous fishing, children’s program, nearby tennis and golf. The Don Cesar has a long list of famous guests and has hosted every president since Gerald Ford (excluding Ronald Reagan) and also Franklin D. St Pete Beach is also know for hotels and resorts like the Tradewinds Hotel/Resort. The Tradewinds Hotel/Resort is a tropical haven where guests can find peace and relaxation in style and comfort with superior service reflecting the spirit of American Samoa. Tradewinds Hotel offers a range of business and recreational facilities including a restaurant, bar, internet caf, conference facilities, gymnasium.

Out of all the restaurants in St Pete Beach the Hurricane restaurant is one of the most popular. The Hurricane Restaurant: a landmark multi-storied restaurant/bar/entertainment complex is situated across the street from the beach right in the middle of Pass a Grille and keeps the hungry and thirsty beachgoers happy late into the evening. Another Place that is a great party hot spot restaurant on St Pete Beach is Jimmy B’s. Jimmy B’s Beach Bar caters to the upscale crowd so you better make sure you’re ready to roll. If you are looking for good food and good times on the water n St Pete beach you may consider the Sloppy Pelican. The Sloppy Pelican is one of St. Pete Beach’s newest waterfront bar & grill. A favorite for locals and visitors alike, our menu offers a wide variety that everyone is going to enjoy; from fresh seafood and pasta prepared from scratch, to the biggest burgers and tastiest nachos on the beach.

To read more by John DeLellis and sign up for St Pete Beach Today’s newsletter and take advantage of hotel and restaurant giveaways and promotions!Click Here

Salvador Dali Museum is the World’s largest collection of works by the renowned Spanish surrealist. Petersburg’s Salvador Dali Museum is the permanent home of the world’s most comprehensive collection of the renowned Spanish artist’s work. The Salvador Dali museum is one of several local attractions including the Saint Petersburg Museum of History and the Bayfront Center Arena. The Salvador Dali Museum is the flagship of cultural tourism on the West Coast of Florida, welcoming over 200,000 visitors each year from around the world.

St Pete Beach vacation rentals are just a few miles from St Petersburg, FL, and about 35 miles from Tampa, FL. St Pete Beach is just minutes away, and the area is renowned for spectacular rivers, nature preserves, state forests, world-class fishing and championship golf. St Pete Beach ranks as one of the best beaches in Florida, especially on the West Coast of Florida. St Pete Beach, on the central gulf coast of Florida, has a small town atmosphere with plenty of vacation amenities within walking distance.

St Pete Beach Wave runners offer a riding experience unlike any in the Tampa Bay Area. The Gulf beaches are known for warm, white sands, pristine waters, palm trees, and dolphins. St Pete Beach Hotels and St Pete Beach Resorts offer accommodations on some of the best beaches directly on the Gulf of Mexico. St Pete Beach is not as populated with tourists as Clearwater Beach but still offers beautiful sunsets, popular nightlife, great restaurants & plenty of day and night activities.

St Pete Beach Florida has a great assortment of hotels and resorts. Don Cesar Is the hotel resort known as Florida’s Legendary Pink Palace since 1928, the luxury resort is revered internationally for its sprawling, sugar-white beach, unparalleled dining, rejuvenating Beach Club & Spa, fabulous fishing, children’s program, nearby tennis and golf. The Don Cesar has a long list of famous guests and has hosted every president since Gerald Ford (excluding Ronald Reagan) and also Franklin D. St Pete Beach is also know for hotels and resorts like the Tradewinds Hotel/Resort. The Tradewinds Hotel/Resort is a tropical haven where guests can find peace and relaxation in style and comfort with superior service reflecting the spirit of American Samoa. Tradewinds Hotel offers a range of business and recreational facilities including a restaurant, bar, internet caf, conference facilities, gymnasium.

If you are looking for good food and good times on the water n St Pete beach you may consider the Sloppy Pelican. The Sloppy Pelican is one of St. Pete Beach’s newest waterfront bar & grill. A favorite for locals and visitors alike, our menu offers a wide variety that everyone is going to enjoy; from fresh seafood and pasta prepared from scratch, to the biggest burgers and tastiest nachos on the beach. Out of all the restaurants in St Pete Beach the Hurricane restaurant is one of the most popular. The Hurricane Restaurant: a landmark multi-storied restaurant/bar/entertainment complex is situated across the street from the beach right in the middle of Pass a Grille and keeps the hungry and thirsty beachgoers happy late into the evening. Another Place that is a great party hot spot restaurant on St Pete Beach is Jimmy B’s. Jimmy B’s Beach Bar caters to the upscale crowd so you better make sure you’re ready to roll.

To read more by John DeLellis and sign up for St Pete Beach Today’s newsletter and take advantage of hotel and restaurant free stuff and promotions!Click Here