Day 2 (February 13, 2016): Dolphins and sand like flour

It was a late rise this morning, due to a poor sleep, as we could hear drag racing going on into the wee hours from a local race track.  Anyway by 9:45am we were finally up and coherent enough to have made it to a Cracker Barrel Restaurant for an excellent breakfast.  No trouble to tell we're in the South, as biscuits were offered instead of toast, and grits were on the menu!

We then set out to enjoy the northwest of the peninsula.  Clearwater is widely considered to have the best beach in the area and one of the best in the United States.  So we headed straight there!  But before the beach itself, we stopped at the Clearwater Marine Aquarium, where Winter the Dolphin lives.  Winter is the dolphin that was rescued, had its tail amputated, was rehabilitated, and went on to star in a Hollywood movie, called 'Dolphin Tale'.  It was great to see all the rehabilitation and rescue work they do for dolphins, turtles, stingrays, and other sea creatures.

   Giving a turtle emergency care. 

    in captivity since 2002, Nicholas 

    the dolphin was up to a great

    show!

   Winter the Dolphin

    Sting ray

From the Aquarium, it was on to the beach.  The wind was a-blowin' and it was cold!  We had planned to sit on the beach for a few hours, but it was just too chilly.  Pier 60 is the name of the pier in the heart of Clearwater Beach.  We walked to the end of the pier and walked a long section of the beach instead of sitting.  

    Entrance to Pier 60

    Clearwater Beach

    Pier 60

    Wish we could say we made this!

    Clearwater Beach with its power-

    fine sand

    Pelicans on Pier 60. They did NOT 

    pay the admission fee!

Lonely Planet recommended a seafood place called Frenchy's, so we tracked it down for a clam chowder lunch.  The waiter was a Canadian wannabee -- he knew all the Canadian beers and was proud of it.  We aren't beer drinkers, so he knew infinitely more about Canadian beers than we do.  We did a lot of nodding and threw in a lot of 'u-huhs' and 'wows' to make ourselves sound knowledgeable of our own Canadian brews.

From Clearwater Beach, we drove north to the community of Dunedin, and then over a causeway to Honeymoon Island State Park.  The island boasts some great beaches (again, the cold wind prevented any beach lounging!), hiking trails, an interpretive center, and lots of birds and wildlife.

    Typical of life in Dunedin 

   Setting off on a walking trail - 

   beware the rattle snakes, there are 

   lots, apparently!

   Osprey in its nest

  Great horned owl high in a pine tree 

By 5:30pm, we were back at the hotel.  Last night I mentioned how we always visit Applebee's when we come to the USA.  Olive Garden is another must-do on all American trips, and tonight we did just that.  We have been highly impressed at the genuine kindness of all our restaurant wait-staff,  The Olive Garden waitress was no exception.

All told, it was a day of many sights, wildlife, lots of walking, and good meals.  Good night from the Sunshine State!