Existing In BFE

Before their falling prey to the dreaded Floridian Epizutic, Amy and Patti went to the iconic Pier here in St. Petersburg. It seems to be the place to take guests and tourists wanting to see the sights. Although this is a pretty cool place to sight see, it is also the center of commerciality. Everything is designed to take your money down, and this is where it all starts. The Pier is a shopping mall. Plain and simple. But for what it is, besides all that, as a place to look and see the Bay it is unsurpassed. This is where the HMS Bounty, had she not sunk in Hurricane Sandy, would have made her winter home. The left side of the Pier from Vinoy Park. The right side of the Pier from Demen's Landing. The views of the Bay are exquisite. Be prepared to walk, however, as it juts out into the Bay.  An empty berth where the HMS Bounty should have been. You can never escape the pelicans... Especially when you start feeding them for

The Packers were playing the 49ers tonight and Brendan felt he needed some support. I'm not a Packer fan but to keep family harmony I went up to Three Birds on the bike and did what I could. I was rooting for the 49er's but Brendan doesn't always read this blog so I think I'm safe.  Robert, Brendan and Me, or is it I?  Brendan talking to one of his buddies, Tommy. This is the Three Bird beer list.  Not really interested in expanding my horizon at this point.  I've strayed but I always return to Miller Lite. The highlight of the night was Evan Taylor Jones.  Some explanation is needed.  I hate bands at bars.  Bars are supposed to be a place where friends meet to talk about all kinds of things.  You converse, and imbibe.  That's an immutable rule of saloons.  Bring in a band and it gets noisy and you can't talk.  bring in bands and you get college age riff-raff.  Bring in bands and you sit there sipping until they take a break

Bayshore Boulevard in Tampa is a nice area to jog, walk the dog, or to commune with the rich and fabulous.  The old expression, "The Other Half" as in how the other half lives refers to this area.  As we zipped along Bayshore Boulevard I grabbed Amy's camera and took these pictures of some of the homes along this long Bay- viewable street.  It was interestingly enough the 2nd time I had been here.  One time the Geezers on their Goldwings took this route to somewhere.  Now, when you finish today's blog don't be calling out to Tampa realtors wanting to buy.  You can't afford it.  Just take my word for it, you really can't. Bayshore Boulevard starts on the waterfront at Hyde Park and goes all the way down past Bayshore Gardens. I'm surprised they let us use their street.

Cub Reporter Monday My niece, Amy, submitted this dramatic truck fire somewhere in Indianapolis.  Well, I lied.  Her mother sent it to me.  Amy was on her way to work, and like the photo hound she is, she had her camera at the ready, and was able to drive and snap this pic all at the same time.  Perfect for Cub Reporter Mondays.  No one was hurt in the blaze.  Besides all that, what a great picture.  You would think someone with a fine camera and talent like that would have her own blog.  (This is called twisting an arm.  When she was down a few weeks ago I saw some of her pictures and d tried convincing her to display them in this medium.  So far I have not been successful.)   INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - All lanes of northbound I-465 are moving slowly near Rockville Road due to a semi truck on fire, according to INDOT. Indiana State Police Dispatchers say the right lanes will be blocked for about 30 minutes near mile marker 13. No injuries have been reported at

One of Amy's items on her wish list while in the Tampa Bay area was to see a harbor area with some big freighters. Can't say as I have ever heard of anywhere around here as a "go-to" place to see the big ships so this was going to be an adventure of sorts...in Tampa. And as you all know, I don't do Tampa. I was told by the powers that be that all I had to do was sit there and look pretty so with rosary in hand off I went. First stop was Ikea, which is an adventure in and of itself.  If you ever have the time and are near one (there aren't many in the US),  do give it a go.  We did our Ikea thing and now off to see something.  This was new territory, sort of.  I have ridden over here to the Dark City a couple of times with the Geezers on Goldwings.  Also once to the Zoo and Aquarium, so it's not like I NEVER go.  I just never have a need or much of a desire to go to the Dark City.  We drove by this neat old whatever.   After that we