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 Edge District of St. Petersburg, Florida

Iconic cat mural in The Edge District in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. - photo by Joe Alexander
Iconic cat mural in The Edge District in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida. – photo by Joe Alexander
If you’re not sure if you’re really in The Edge District in downtown St. Petersburg, Florida, the cat mural on the Edge Animal Hospital is an obvious clue.

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

Late lunch overlooking Tampa Bay, Florida

Lunch in St. Petersburg, Florida, overlooking Tampa Bay. - photo by Joe Alexander
Lunch in St. Petersburg, Florida, overlooking Tampa Bay. – photo by Joe Alexander
Even with the holidays, Tampa International Airport was quieter than I remember – a sign of the times. From there is was a short drive to a local restaurant with a view of Tampa Bay.

Late afternoon lunch in St. Petersburg, Florida, overlooking Tampa Bay. - photo by Joe Alexander
We hung around late in the afternoon as the sun started to sink over Tampa Bay.

Munching in Old Town Scottsdale

This is how you know when you're in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona. - photo by Joe Alexander
This is how you know when you’re in Old Town Scottsdale, Arizona. – photo by Joe Alexander
It would take weeks to try all the restaurants in Old Town Scottsdale in Arizona.