We returned to KC last night after a month in Florida.
It’s the longest period Patty and I have ever been away from home. Five days were devoted to driving — three on the way down, two on the return — and 26 days relaxing.
We spent the first week in Naples (I’m sure some of you saw my photos from there) and the next three in Clearwater and Dunedin, which is 175 miles north of Naples. To give you perspective, here’s the map…
Naples is about as far down as you can go on the west coast, while Clearwater and Dunedin are part of the fabulous Tampa Bay area. It’s warmer in Naples, of course, but overall we much prefer the Clearwater, mainly because it is much more of a “regular” city than Naples, where the wealth is over the top.
This one fact will tell you all you need to know about the difference between Naples and Clearwater: Where you pay $110 plus tax to play 18 holes on a good golf course in Naples, you can play the Clearwater Country Club (open to the public) for $50 plus tax.
Now, here are some photos from the second leg of our trip.
In Clearwater, we spent two weeks at an Airbnb and then moved to a house owned by Kansas City friends Jim Gottsch (right) and his wife Julie Koppen (to his right). They’ve become friends with another couple on their block, Luther Hendricks (making gang signs) and his wife Becky, to his left. (That’s Patty at the far end.) This picture was taken at Luther and Becky’s house, which is two doors from Jim and Julie’s house (by the black truck in the driveway).
A few blocks from Jim and Julie’s house is TD Ballpark, where the Toronto Blue Jays have spring training. This year, because of Covid, they will be playing several regular-season games there, too. We took in a spring-training game last Tuesday.
Clearwater Harbor — adjacent to the Gulf of Mexico — is several blocks west of Jim and Julie’s.
Within 100 yards of Jim and Julie’s house is Pinellas Trail, a reclaimed rail line that extends 45 miles, from Tarpon Springs to St. Petersburg.
Just south of Clearwater is St. Petersburg, where we went last Thursday. I took this photo and the following ones in the city’s Central Arts District, which is similar in theme to our Crossroads Arts District…Above is the Snell building, which dates to 1928.
This is the Snell building arcade, open at both ends.
Next to the Snell building is the downtown Post Office. The Post Office was built in 1916. Both are examples of Mediterranean revival architecture.
The Post Office counter
Here’s another eye-catching building, this one fronted by palm trees…When you’re visiting South Florida from the Midwest, you should never take a palm tree for granted. If you do, it’s time to go somewhere else.
JimmyCsays: At the juncture of journalism and daily life in KC 
Big fan of rails to trails. They’re usually flat and hence ideal for the elderly to exercise on them. They’re also usually quite scenic. I have a friend who was making quite a lucrative living playing a one man band for the tourist bars around Dunedin before the Wuhan Sicken hit town. Glad you enjoyed your journey. I get my second shot the 26th and plan on hitting the road shortly thereafter.
I’m in Venice, just south of Sarasota. Next year plan on stopping by for a visit. I love the energy of Venice, just old people and golf courses, several of which were owned by Pee Wee Reese
I had forgotten where you were, Marcie…We talked about going to Sarasota for a day trip but didn’t make it. I’d like to see the Edison and Ford museum homes in Ft. Myers. Next year…And, yes, let’s get together in South Florida next year.
Glad to see so much energy expended in and around St. Petersburg. When my aunt was still alive Nick and I made many trips. We’d get there, and collapse in lawn chairs up on the sixth floor balcony of her condo building, Mansions by the Sea. She was a lovely hostess, constantly suggesting places we could go, things we could do, but all we really wanted was to collapse in her lawn chairs on the sixth floor balcony.
Love the front porch. You know you’re in FL when you need an electric fan outside. Or, KC in August, too, I guess!