One of the views from the boardwalk at John’s Pass, the entertainment district of Madeira Beach. This is part of the Intracoastal Waterway, which empties into the Gulf of Mexico.
After resigning from my job on August 13th, I was asked to leave the company immediately. Given I had a bit of paid vacation ahead of me before starting my new job on September 3rd, I was toying with the idea of visiting my Grandpa Stricker in Florida. Thanks to the encouragement of Mom, Dad, and Al, I decided to book a flight and spend several days in the sunshine.
I flew down on Tuesday, August 27th. Southwest was great. I changed planes in Baltimore, and landed in Tampa a little earlier than scheduled. I rode the Super Shuttle with several people from the airport to Grandpa’s condo.
After I got settled, I caught up with my Aunt Marny. I hadn’t seen her in person since my wedding in 2015!
For dinner, we had amazing chicken salad from this place called Chicken Salad Chick. It started in Auburn, Alabama. It has 135 locations total, as far west as Texas and Oklahoma, and up through Missouri, Illinois, Kentucky, and Ohio. There is one location in Virginia! If you live in the Richmond / Glen Allen areas, you’re in for a treat!
—
On Wednesday morning, Aunt Marny asked if I wanted to have brunch at the Sweet Sage Cafe and Boutique in North Redington Beach. I didn’t hesitate!
I had their delicious “two’s two’s” item, where I chose French toast, bacon, and yummy eggs. There was sangria, too.
A happy accident happened to me, too. I had been casually searching for a 4ocean bracelet after one of my co-workers at Riverside had bought one. The boutique sold them! I picked the green one, and found out later it’s the “sea turtle” one. Perfect!
One of the many funny signs inside the Sweet Sage Cafe.
The exterior is so colorful and calming.
Love Radar!
Hook, Line, and Drinker.
After brunch, we went to John’s Pass, the entertainment district of Madeira Beach.
Pelicans taking a rest.
A fun tiki bar boat tour.
A beautiful heron.
An old-fashioned taffy pulling machine in action.
On Wednesday night, we went to PJ’s Oyster Bar early for happy hour and seafood!
Aunt Marny and I both enjoyed a Yuengling. We all got something different – Grandpa had his shrimp, Marny got clam strips, and I got the crab cakes, fries, and Caesar salad.
There were Blues Brothers statues everywhere!
I had a really good trip. I’m glad I took the time to visit!
Have you visited Florida?
Until the next headline, Laura Beth 🙂
Hot Shot Headlines 
I’ve never been there but it looks like a great place. 😀
I hope you get to visit someday. This is a small slice. Florida as a whole has so much to offer.
I’m sure it does, maybe one day eh?
Exactly!
I’ll make sure I ask you where to go if I do 🙂
Haha, thanks! I’m no expert, but I have visited a lot.
You’re more of an expert than me then lol
Haha! When your family lives out of state, you go visit often. We went four times a year for decades.
That’s quite a lot really
True. I know Florida and Virginia better than other places. Where do you want to travel?
I would like to travel to anywhere and everywhere. But Iceland, Ireland and wilderness places are on my list
Awesome!
😀
Ireland, Costa Rica, and Australia are some on my list.
That’s a pretty impressive list 😀
I think so. And, I want to visit and/or climb every lighthouse in the U.S.
That sounds like a good thing to do as well!
There’s a lot of them, haha. I need to get cracking!
You do. Let us know how you get on 😀
Will do!
😀
The Radar sign is hilarious!
Yes! Love it!
🙌🏻🙌🏻🙌🏻