Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center

Big Bend Power Station

Tampa Electric’s Manatee Viewing Center. 6990 Dickman Road, Apollo Beach, Florida. Open November 1st through April 15th. FREE Admission and Parking. 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. daily.

Hanging Out In Big Bend’s Discharge Canal

A state and federally designated manatee sanctuary. Learn about manatees and its habitat. Learn about how the power station generates electricity for the community in an environmentally responsible way. Learn how the power station prepares and responds to major storms, especially hurricanes.

Viewing Area

Those are not stones, but manatees!

Native & Coastal

Stroll along the tidal walk. Native and Coastal plant life. Butterfly gardens.

Like One BIG, GREEN Jungle!

 

Habitat Loop Trail

Check out natural Florida. Seeing the estuary below was a favorite of mine. On a clear day you can see all the way across Tampa Bay.

There is a boardwalk that takes you to the wildlife observation tower (50-foot-high vantage point). Climbing up to the tower is a commitment and for someone not scared of heights. The boardwalk was built to minimize the impact on the natural environment.

About a half-mile walk, so wear good walking shoes.

(Photos by RSheridan)

Happy Arm Chair Traveling – Enjoy!!!

Clearwater Beach, FL

Beach Bliss

Clearwater Beach is a barrier island along the Gulf. Linked on the south by a short bridge is Sand Key, which is also a barrier island.

Pier 60

Pier 60, named for State Road 60 which ends in Clearwater Beach. There is a daily event called Sunsets at Pier 60, which includes street performers and musical acts. On the pier is a nightly display of goods sold by local artisans.

Beach Walk

The Beach Walk is located just south of Pier 60.

Clearwater Marine Aquarium

Home of Winter, the bottlenose dolphin featured in the movie Dolphin Tale.

 
(Photos by RSheridan)

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary

Protecting the Shore Birds

Suncoast Seabird Sanctuary

Egrets

Herons

Ibis

Nests

Pelicans

Terns

Vultures

Extra Special Sight! 

Turtle Tracks and Nest

(Photos by RSheridan)

“Birds of a Feather Flock Together.”

Honeymoon Island State Park

A Natural Beauty

Honeymoon Island State Park. A barrier island across St. Joseph’s Sound from Palm Harbor, Ozona and Crystal Beach. The park is 385 acres in land area with 2,400 acres submerged and 4 miles of beach.

Nature. Bird Life. Seashells by the Seashore.

History

Honeymoon Island and Caladesi Island were originally part of a large barrier island that split in half during a major hurrican in 1921. The waterway between the islands is known as Hurricane Pass.

Honeymoon Island was formerly known as Hog Island. In the early 1940’s, honeymoon-type huts were built on the island for vacationing and the name was changed.

Osprey Watching

(Photos by RSheridan)

Weedon Island Preserve

Happy Exploring!

Weedon Island Preserve is located on Tampa Bay. A 3,190 acre natural area.

• 4 1/2 miles of nature trails.
• 2 canoeing/kayaking trails.
• Fishing.
• Picnicking.
• 3,000 foot boardwalk that leads to a 45 foot observation tower. Views of the Preserve, Tampa Bay, Tampa, and Saint Petersburg.
• Bird and Wildlife Viewing.

What is Left of the Original Airport.

Since the late 1800’s, Weedon Island has been host to airports, film studios, speakeasies, and other interesting ventures.

(Photos by RSheridan)

North Redington Beach

Sunset – May 28, 2015

Waiting for Dinner . . .

(Photos by RSheridan)

Enjoy!

Loving Johnny & Willie

Journeying Along

from the West to the Southeast

1000 miles, 1000 miles more and 1000 miles more!

Arizona

New Mexico

Beep, Beep!!!

And I said, “Listen, I’ve traveled every road in this here land!”

Crossed the desert’s bare, man.
I’ve breathed the mountain air, man.
Of travel I’ve had my share, man.
I’ve been everywhere.

I’ve been to:
Reno (YES), Chicago, Fargo, Minnesota (YES),
Buffalo, Toronto, Winslow, Sarasota (YES),
Wichita, Tulsa, Ottawa, Oklahoma,
Tampa(YES), Panama, Mattawa, La Paloma,
Bangor, Baltimore, Salvador, Amarillo,
Tocapillo, Baranquilla, and Perdilla,

I’ve been to:
Boston, Charleston, Dayton, Louisiana (YES),
Washington (YES), Houston (YES), Kingston, Texarkana,
Monterey (YES), Faraday, Santa Fe, Tallapoosa,
Glen Rock, Black Rock, Little Rock (YES), Oskaloosa,
Tennessee to Tennesse Chicopee, Spirit Lake,
Grand Lake, Devils Lake, Crater Lake (YES), for Pete’s sake.

I’ve been to:
Louisville, Nashville (YES), Knoxville, Ombabika,
Schefferville, Jacksonville, Waterville, Costa Rica,
Pittsfield, Springfield, Bakersfield, Shreveport,
Hackensack, Cadillac, Fond du Lac, Davenport,
Idaho (YES), Jellico, Argentina, Diamantina,
Pasadena, Catalina, 

I’ve been to:
Pittsburgh (YES), Parkersburg, Gravelbourg, Colorado,
Ellensburg, Rexburg, Vicksburg, Eldorado,
Larimore, Atmore, Haverstraw, Chatanika,
Chaska (YES), Nebraska (YES), Alaska, Opelika,
Baraboo, Waterloo (YES), Kalamazoo, Kansas City,
Sioux City, Cedar City, Dodge City, what a pity.”

“I’ve Been Everywhere” by Johnny Cash

Texas

 One BIG State to Cross! Windy one day and Rainy the next.

“One, two
One, two, three, four

On the road again
Just can’t wait to get on the road again

On the road again
Goin’ places that I’ve never been
Seein’ things that I may never see again
And I can’t wait to get on the road again

On the road again
Like a band of gypsies we go down the highway (For Sure – ha!)
We’re the best of friends

And I can’t wait to get on the road again.”

“On The Road Again” by Willie Nelson

Enjoying a Saint Arnold Fancy Lawnmower Brew at Luke’s Icehouse.

Louisiana

To See GREEN Again After Living in the Desert!

Mississippi

“Bubba:  Anyway, like I was sayin’, shrimp is the fruit of the sea. You can barbecue it, boil it, broil it, bake it, saute it. Dey’s uh, shrimp-kabobs, shrimp creole, shrimp gumbo. Pan fried, deep fried, stir-fried. There’s pineapple shrimp, lemon shrimp, coconut shrimp, pepper shrimp, shrimp soup, shrimp stew, shrimp salad, shrimp and potatoes, shrimp burger, shrimp sandwich. That- that’s about it.” – The Forest Gump Movie

Alabama

Florida

Orange You Glad You Made It To Florida – ha!

 
Bears and Gators – Oh My!

The Blue Beauty!

 
Sail Away With Me . . .

Love the Waterways.

A Road Trip Deserves LAZINESS At the End – ha!

Built In Fans.

Love the Bird Life.

Welcome! Kick Back & Relax. (Photos by RSheridan)

The BEST Parts Of . . .

Traveling,

I love hitting the open road and seeing where it takes me! I enjoy getting on a plane to journey to far away destinations. It is about shifting into a much lower gear and slowing the pace down for a while. I enjoy escaping the four walls I live within in my personal life and especially in my professional life!

I love learning about new cultures, history, places, and people! I grow as a person and gain life experiences. I really try to ask questions first before just making judgments. It is okay to lean in, be open and experience the different, the interesting and the unique!

I love seeing the natural beauty that countries have to offer when traveling, adventuring and exploring! Yosemite and Yellowstone. The Coast of California and Oregon. Beautiful Cities to Bucolic Country Sides. Just takes my breathe away and leaves me in a state of shock and awe!

Adventuring,

I love experiencing the NEW! as well as going back to places I have already been to adventure and explore some more! Adventuring is discovering what I am made of and discovering my strong.  Adventuring is growth in shaping who I am and what I want to become as I learn and experience life. It is about BEING in the moment, experiencing what life has to offer and making those memories that last a lifetime!

Sometimes adventuring is about the SIMPLE! A walk on the beach, a picnic lunch, strolling through green spaces, checking out an outdoor market, watching the sun set with a drink in hand, etc. I love getting away from the “tourist attractions” and going where the locals go to hang out!

Exploring

I love being curious! I enjoy interacting and engaging myself and my whole being. I need to engage my five senses and be aware of what is happening to me and around me. It is about living for TODAY and just GETTING OUT THERE!

Do you talk to strangers, locals or other travelers when you travel? I have had some great conversations with perfect strangers. I never know who I will meet and those conversations make for some great discoveries and experiences! I discover more about a place by interacting and engaging the locals as well as other travelers who have been to that place before. I experience different cultures and ways of living and share my culture and experiences too!

I love experiencing the New! and stretching myself, my boundaries and my comfort zone! Like that saying, “Do Something That Scares You”. DO that and MORE!

Creating

Traveling, adventuring and exploring is a part of creating my story in living my life! It is about experiencing memorable places and people. It is about making memories that last a lifetime. It is about being open to experiences, stretching my comfort zone and just discovering more about who I am!

 

Sharing

I love sharing my experiences through writing! I enjoy giving back to the communities I have experienced through my writing in telling others about the community and what there is to see and do. I also support the local businesses and stay within the community. Nothing better than armchair traveling!

(Photos by RSheridan)

Love to Hear Your Thoughts, Please Share!!!

Fall Road Trip

Santa Cruz, California

Leaving Santa Cruz and Taking the Coastal Route.

Into the Bank of Fog.

Pigeon Point Light Station and Lighthouse

Half Moon Bay, California

Crab Season

Tall Ship

Flora and Fauna

San Francisco, California

I fell in love with San Fran in 1998 and then in 2005 I left a piece of my heart in San Fran. I celebrated my 1st wedding anniversary in San Fran in 2005 and shortly before turned 30. This year we celebrated 10 years of wedded bliss and on this trip I celebrated turning the Big 4-0. It is AMAZING how life comes FULL CIRCLE!

Into the Fog to San Fran.

The Fog + Sunrise = Eerie

Finally Capturing the Windmills in San Fran.

Golden Gate Park

The Golden Gate Bridge – Taken Over By the Fog.

Going Through Sacramento

(Photos by RSheridan)

The Emerald Isle – September 2014

Check It Out

I have added the Emerald Isle – September 2014 page and subsequent pages on my trip to Ireland on my blog.

The Emerald Isle – September 2014

Blarney Castle

Charles Fort

Christ Church Cathedral

Clifden

Cliffs of Moher

Cobh

Cork

Crossmolina

Dingle

Dublin

Galway

Glengarriff

Guinness Storehouse – Dublin

Howth

Ireland – Misc.

Ireland Cows

Ireland Craft Beers

Ireland Fauna and Flora

Ireland Horses

Ireland Rural Road Trip

Ireland Sheep

Killarney

Kilmainham Gaol

Kinsale

Kylemore Abbey

Pluckerstown

Rock of Cashel

St. Patrick’s Cathedral

The Burren

The Old Jameson Distillery – Dublin

 Enjoy!