Diary of a Tampa Vacation!

Wed, Day 1: Our flight was quick and on time. Sara, Emily & Jaden met us at baggage claim to whisk us off on our vacation! The first order of business: Food! We went to a local bar/restaurant where I ordered a margarita and the most delicious Bruschetta Haddock! I have been dreaming about it ever since! We spent the rest of the evening at the house, under the Lanai watching Thunderstorms and drinking beer! Here is a picture of the pool & Lanai (on a nice day obviously!)


Thurs, Day 2: Our morning started out with big breakfast burritos Sara’s husband, Jarrod, made us. While enjoying our breakfast, we noticed a police officer sitting outside of the house with a culprit in the back seat! It turns out someone was trying to break into Jarrod’s van while it sat right in the driveway! Luckily he was caught and nothing was stolen. What a way to start out the morning while we’re all nonchalantly puttering around inside! After breakfast it was time for the pool with Jaden. He learned how to swim on his own for the first time!

Once it started to really pour, we packed everyone up and went bowling! We ended up being upgraded to the PRIVATE bowling lanes, which supplied us with big comfy couches and only 5 other lanes! Afterwards Sara, Emily, Jarrod and I went for a few drinks to a bar called the Green Iguana. They had a nice outdoor bar, but it continued to pour the entire time. We were able to get a table inside right when the band stopped. LOL!

Fri, Day 3: Another day of chasing the sun around the pool! Whenever it wasn’t raining, I was outside in a lounge chair soaking up the sun! At night we went to this awesome piano bar called Howl at the Moon, part of the Channelside district. This area was nothing but bar after bar of awesome night life spots!! Two musicians sat facing one another, playing songs by request. And they could play ANY song, from oldies to rap! Each musician had a flash light they were able to use as a spotlight to call out members in the audience. It was hysterical! The drinks consisted of big huge buckets, with 15 long straws for everyone to share!! It was so much fun and a very close second to my favorite part of the whole vacation!


Sat, Day 4: Saturday was relaxed as we hung by the pool in the morning and headed over to the Tampa Bay for a picnic at Sara’s boss’s house in the afternoon. It thunder stormed on and off so it was a lot of indoor fun. In the picture below you can see the storm coming in the distance! It was a quiet evening at home after that. Us “kids” sat around and raced each other in Sudoku puzzles all night while we watched basketball. It was a nice relaxing day!


Sun, Day 5: My favorite day because we went to Siesta Key Beach! It was a gorgeous, HOT, sunny day! This beach is mostly known for its pure white sand, that no matter what, stays cool to the touch. It makes the beach shine in the sun and you could walk forever without having scorching hot feet the whole time! We laid in the sun for hours, swam in the ocean and even played a little water catch with a nerf football. This was my first trip to the gulf side of Florida and man was the water a lot saltier! Once it got in my eyes I needed to get out and take a break! The water was super warm though! We had tons of fun in the sun!!!! We all came home red and ready to jump in the cool pool1


Mon, Day 6: Memorial Day! Sara had to work at the golf course, so Pam, Jaden and I walked over for lunch. It was a short walk but immediately hot and humid. After lunch we did more swimming and sunbathing. For dinner we bought Alaskan King Crab legs and Shrimp for kabobs. It rained in the evening but we still grilled up a huge feast! I was in heaven with my crab legs! Afterwards we got into more Sudoku races and a big game of SCAT!

Tues, Day 7: Another beach day! I couldn’t leave Florida knowing I only went to the beach ONCE! Us girls packed up the baby and went to Apollo Beach, a smaller, closer beach in Little Harbor. No white sand, but we were provided with lounge chairs and an outdoor Tiki Bar! So of course we sipped Bloody Mary’s while we sun bathed! There was no going in the water however, as Horseshoe crabs were floating all over mating! They would wash up on the shore and then dig themselves into the sand. I wasn’t taken any chances other than to get this quick picture! On the way home we stopped for a late lunch and I had my first Sonic experience EVER! I was pretty excited about it, especially since Buffalo shows commercials all the time and we don’t have one! That’s just cruel!

In the evening we grilled ourselves big steaks (while it poured) in honor of our last night. We kept the drinks flowing and played Scat while soaked in all of our vacation fun!

Wed, Day 8: Our last day!! We spent the entire day in the pool and the sun. From 9:30a until 4p I didn’t budge until I figured it was finally time to pack for the airport. :o( What a wonderful vacation I had with such great friends! I can’t wait to go back!