We camp in Largo and explore the neighboring communities of St Petersburg and Clearwater, on greater Tampa Bay. We must be a bit dense because it doesn’t really sink in until here how many thousands of miles of beaches Florida must have, facing saltwater as it does on its east, west, and southern boundaries, and frontages doubled again by the barrier islands. A Realtor or developers wet-dream.
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| Skyview Bridge, approaching St. Petersburg. |
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| This beach stretch has adequate metered parking - the distance is gated. |
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| Clearwater Beach |
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| Many of these shells dotting the beach are still occupied. |
These communities are reminiscent of the Newport Beach peninsula and San Diego’s Mission Beach – long strips of land two or three blocks wide, water both sides, no yards – just houses and apartment buildings. In may places hotels and condo developments tower above restricting beach access.
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| Working replica of 1770s French Fardier de Cugnot steam-powered cart. |
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| Testing the back seat while doing research for John on possible Whale upgrade. |
On Sunday we drive to the downtown waterfront of St Pete and come across a nice green park with many people walking about but fencing restricting admittance. Having nothing better to do, we park and explore: there are two festivals, the one on the right is the Speed Festival and celebrates fast cars and boats; the one on the left is a Funk Festival, celebrating funk music. The Speed Festival is open but requires $10 admission each; the Funk Festival hasn’t yet opened and also has an admission fee. The Speed Festival is 98% white while the Funk Festival is 98% black. We conclude we aren’t funky enough for the one and Marcia thinks the other is silly and expensive, so I assert my male bona fides and we go to the Speed Festival. And it does celebrate speed, and money, with plenty of Lamborghinis, Ferraris, Porches, Corvettes, and cigarette boats.
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