travel – Page 13 – Joe Alexander

Clearwater Bay, Florida

This small island in Clearwater Bay belongs to the birds. No people allowed. - photo by Joe Alexander — This small island in Clearwater Bay belongs to the birds. No people allowed. – photo by Joe Alexander

Enjoying the sunshine and gulf coast breeze in Clearwater Bay between Clearwater and Clearwater Beach, Florida.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Rescue

This facility at Clearwater Beach, Florida is home to rescued dolphins, turtles, otters, pelicans, sharks, stingrays and other sea animals.

Official website: cmaquarium.org

Clearwater Marine Aquarium and Rescue in Florida. – photo by Joe Alexander — Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Fort De Soto in Florida

Fort De Soto on Florida’s Gulf coach near St. Petersburg. - photo by Joe Alexander — Fort De Soto on Florida’s Gulf coach near St. Petersburg. – photo by Joe Alexander

Fort De Soto is in Pinellas County in the Tampa Bay area on the Florida coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

Fort De Soto was built between 1898 and 1900 on Mullett Key – one of a string of islands along the coast.

Official site: History of Fort De Soto

Fort De Soto Park in Florida

Fort De Soto Park beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida. - photo by Joe Alexander — Fort De Soto Park beach on the Gulf Coast of Florida. – photo by Joe Alexander

Fort De Soto Park is on part of a chain of islands in the Tampa Bay area on Florida’s coast of the Gulf of Mexico.

We found the beach littered with shells and even a few starfish. Like everywhere else near water in this part of Florida, we saw plenty of birds.

We were even lucky enough to run into some kite surfers at the far end of the park with the Sunshine Skyway Bridge in the background.

Pass-A-Grille at St. Pete Beach

Watching the sunset at Pass-A-Grille on St. Pete Beach. - photo by Joe Alexander — Watching the sunset at Pass-A-Grille on St. Pete Beach. – photo by Joe Alexander

We spent a breezy December evening watching the sun go down over the Gulf of Mexico at Pass-A-Grille on St. Pete Beach on the east coast of Florida.

It was mostly cloudy but the sun got through just enough to make the drive worthwhile.

Our visit included dinner on the balcony of the Brass Monkey Bar and Grill.

Murals in Warehouse District of St. Petersburg, Florida

Mural in The Warehouse District in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. - photo by Joe Alexander — Mural in The Warehouse District in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. – photo by Joe Alexander

The Warehouse District of downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, is better known for its art galleries than its street art. There are still lots of pretty cool murals in the area if you know where to look.

City of St. Petersburg official site: Arts districts

Murals in Central Arts District of St. Petersburg, Florida

Mural in the Central Arts District in St. Petersburg, Florida. - photo by Joe Alexander — Mural in the Central Arts District in St. Petersburg, Florida. – photo by Joe Alexander

The Central Arts District in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, has murals almost everywhere you look.

After a visit to the Chihuly Collection, which technically is in the Waterfront Museum District, we started walking in the direction of The Edge District.

City of St. Petersburg official site

Wild time at Circle C Bar Preserve in Florida

One of the natives lurking at Circle C Bar Preserve along the shore of Lake Hancock near Lakeland, Florida. - photo by Joe Alexander — One of the natives lurking at Circle C Bar Preserve along the shore of Lake Hancock near Lakeland, Florida. – photo by Joe Alexander

It was a mostly cloudy day when we visited Circle C Bar Preserve along the shore of Lake Hancock near Lakeland, Florida.

I was just as happy that it wasn’t warm and sunny considering the photos I had seen in the Internet of alligators lounging on the walking trail.

We saw a few gators, but all out in the water and none of them too close.

The place was full of lots of birds and a few playfull racoons.

Circle C Bar official website

Circle C Bar Preserve along the shore of Lake Hancock near Lakeland, Florida. - photo by Joe Alexander — Circle C Bar Preserve

First look at St. Petersburg, Florida street art

St. Petersburg, Florida has lots of street art. We got our first look at some of it on the side of a building in downtown not far from St. Pete Pier.
– photos by Joe Alexander

St. Petersburg, Florida has lots of street art. We got our first look at some of it on the side of a building in downtown not far from St. Pete Pier. - photo by Joe Alexander

Holiday lights in St. Petersburg, Florida

Holiday lights in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. - photo by Joe Alexander — Holiday lights in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. – photo by Joe Alexander

There’s no snow on the ground, but there are plenty of holiday lights for Christmas and New Year’s in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, near the St. Pete Pier.