August 4: trolley ride and a quick trip to Orlando

Dear Friends and Relatives,

My last day is coming swiftly, as I leave St. Petersburg tomorrow morning at 11:30.  I woke a little later than usual, and joined Nancy and Jim in a quick breakfast before Nancy and I departed for a downtown trolley ride.  We were there by 10:00, and  parked for $3 a day at the Beach Drive parking lot, facing the North Yacht Basin, the Central Yacht Basin, and the South Yacht Basin of Tampa Bay.  The trolley came, and we were the only people aboard, so the trolley conductor took us on a 1 1/2 hour tour.  Sites included the following:  Museum of History, Museum of Fine Arts, North Straub Park, the Ponce de Leon Hotel, the Al Lang Stadium, the Mahaffey Theatre, the Dali Museum, the Albert Whitted Airport, and numerous other apartment and condo buildings, churches, shops, cafes, and restaurants.  Wonderful overview!  

Afterwards, Nancy and I had lunch at at a restaurant next to the Yacht Basin, where Nancy had lobster bisque, ahi tuna and seaweed salad, and I had lobster bisque and coconut shrimp--for the third time.  They were very good, but I missed the dipping sauce, so must place it as number 2 among my favorites.

We returned home, and then Jim, Nancy and I departed on a 2-hour drive to Orlando, as Nancy went on call for a tryout at a film studio for a Walt Disney commercial.  She was gone for around 20 minutes, and by next week will know if she receives the nod or not.  We turned back, and on the way, we had dinner at a TGI Friday, where we had turkey burgers and salads--very good.  

We have returned as of about an hour ago, and I have packed and am now finishing this blog while watching "Miss Fisher's Mysteries" on TV.  Tomorrow we leave for the airport at 10:00, and I will be back in Dallas at about 1:30.  Another great trip coming to an end, and there is only one final excursion to be fulfilled--the brief, 3-day stay in Houston.  School starts soon.  Great summer!  As ever, Sylvia V.