January 9, 2024 - January 12, 2024 - Bird Visitors; Passe Grill; Museum; Pier; Stove Light Upgrade

These little guys are really common around here. They are called "White American Ibis". Here are few pecking around on our lot for insects and grubs. While they were oblivious to me being around, the neighbors dog, Emmet, sent them flying.

Wednesday:

Kelly’s sister, Alexa, and her husband, Milo, arrived for a few days. In the evening we decided to take them to Passé Grill to watch sundown over the water. It is one of our favorite places but it was quite cool this evening. Here is a picture of the four of us enjoying a drink and an appetizer as we waited for sundown. 

This is a cool picture of Kelly watching the sun begin to set over the water.

Here is a picture of sundown, which was not the greatest because it was obscured by a cloud. It was still worth the trip.

I was looking for a trash can in the area when I saw friends, George and Sherry, sitting at another table. They live in Venice, Florida and were in Passé Grill to have supper with his daughter at her condo there. We know George and Sherry from our years at Robert’s RV park in Pinellas Park. Here is a picture of the four of us. It was so great seeing them again after two years.

Thursday:

The four of us headed to the recently opened "Museum of the American Arts and Crafts Movement" in downtown St. Petersburg. It is a new museum and was outstanding. I love the arts and craft era, particularly the light fixtures. Here are pictures of two chandeliers they had hanging. So much creativity.

I found it interesting that there were arts and craft pianos. They had three on display which were all quite different and interesting.

The multi-story lobby of the building was fascinating as well. Here is a picture of the ceiling skylight. A very geometric design, like the Arts and Crafts period.

Here are two pictures of the staircase from the second floor to the fifth floor. It is made of molded fiberglass with wood interior walls and wooden steps. It was quite unique.

After a coffee and scone in the lobby restaurant we headed to the St. Petersburg Pier. 

The Pier is quite a tourist destination and was recently rebuilt with lots of walking space and art work added. This was the first time since we have been coming to this area we were able to go out on it due to years of reconstruction. It is quite a long pier. We actually road the free tram from the beginning to the end and back. At the end of the pier there are a couple of restaurants, a gift shop, and a fishing tackle shop for those who want to try their luck fishing off the pier. Here is a picture looking out over the end of the pier out into Tampa Bay. 

It was windy and cold so we didn’t get off the tram to walk around. We rode it back to the beginning where we got off and headed to the "Museum of History" located there. It was an interesting museum with a large war time exhibit and a nice exhibit about how women, black and white, helped build and shape St. Petersburg over the years. 

From there we headed to "The Fourth Street Grill" for a seafood dinner. We all ordered something different and all dishes were excellent. Arriving back at the house we played a couple games before turning in. 

Friday:

Alexa and Milo departed heading to St. Augustine for a couple of days of touring. We hope the weather is good for their visit there.

I had ordered brighter, LED lights for over the stove. They arrived so I installed them. We are quite pleased with the brighter working area.

Sunday my sister, Renee, and her husband, Jim, arrive for a week of what was to be for them - "Fun and Sun". Unfortunately, it looks like there will be little sun so we will have to work on the "FUN" part.