The universe is a continuous web,
Touch it at any point
And the whole web quivers.
Stanley Kunitz, Poet
Savor your journeys, near or far, real or imagined
For information about hours, special exhibits, directions, etc:
Category: Photos
St Petersburg. Florida ~ Dali Museum ~ June 2022 ~ Photos
I do not bring back from a journey quite the same self that I took ~ W. Somerset Maugham
A highlight of my recent journey to Florida was a visit to the Dali Museum in beautiful St. Petersburg. It was a short walk from my hotel (The Hampton Inn & Suites Downtown St Petersburg, which I recommend) along parks and the waterway.
I met a friend at the Museum and it was great fun exploring it with someone who had already visited this impressive museum. After a delicious cappuccino at their café, we downloaded the free Dali Museum app for a self-guided tour and set off to explore. https://thedali.org/ .. check for hours and note that at this time, advance tickets are required.
Let me share a few of my favorite Dali paintings (Photos below):
- Gala Contemplating the Mediterranean Sea, Which at 20 Meters Become the Portrait of Abraham Lincoln (1976)
- Slave Market with the Disappearing Bust of Voltaire (1940)
- The Disintegration of the Persistence of Memory (1952-54)
- The Discovery of America by Christopher Columbus (1958)
The app goes into marvelous detail about all of the exhibited artwork and after touring the Museum, we explored the enjoyable and very well stocked gift shop where you can purchase guide books (which give detailed information about the collection), clothing, magnets, jewelry, puzzles, etc.
Then we walked about the avant-garden, including the wish tree, from the admission bands given when entering the Museum.
Afterwards, we walked back to the town, checking a few restaurant menus and settling on one that is now one of my favorites.
Favorite Restaurants:
- Parkshore Grill ~ Home | Parkshore Grill | Saint Petersburg FL | Contemporary American Cuisine | Fine Food Wine & Spirits ~ A terrific place for lunch; especially the “Parkshore Picnic” which includes a salad, main course (salmon was excellent) and a mini dessert. The dessert was exquisite and definitely not mini!
- Bacchus Wine Bistro ~ Bacchus Wine Bistro – St. Petersburg, FL (bacchusstpete.com) ~ A fabulous spot for “Happy Hour” and dinner ~ You will definitely want to visit more than once to try items on their extensive menu.
St. Petersburg, with its beautiful beaches, parks, terrific restaurants and shops plus the Dali Museum, is certainly on my list to revisit.
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Journey to Fort Myers, Florida ~ June 2022 ~ Photos
Who lives sees much, who travels sees more ~ Arabian Proverb
Last month when I flew to Tampa, I liked the area so much I decided to fly to Florida again, this time to the Fort Myers area. I had to connect in Charlotte, NC and two of the four flights I took were delayed. Fortunately, I made my connection going to Fort Myers (after running thru Charlotte Airport – why are connections so far apart when there is little time?) and coming home, while missing a shuttle, there was another an hour later.
Travel Tips:
- Always try to get a non-stop flight (earliest in the day) and if connecting, always opt for the earliest flight.
- Check with friends or travel advisors about which airline offers best connections to where you are traveling.
- Download the airline’s app to keep up to date re flights.
- If you HAVE to get to your destination (a wedding, cruise, etc.) perhaps book your arrival for a day or two in advance.
- Be patient and keep your sense of humor as plane travel will not be “fun” this summer.
I spent several days in beautiful Fort Myers, seeing friends, enjoying the beach, Happy Hours and some terrific restaurants plus one of the best Barnes and Nobles that I have ever visited. Since this is Florida’s rainy season, I witnessed some spectacular thunder/lightning storms in the evenings.
Then I drove north to St Petersburg, stopping at Punta Gorda for a terrific lunch at Fishermen’s Village, at the Village Brewhouse. It was fun exploring all of the local shops. Village Brewhouse | Fishermen’s Village | Punta Gorda, Florida (fishermensvillage.com)
After visiting St Petersburg (the Dali Museum is a must!) for a few days, I headed south staying in Sarasota for a few days, loving Siesta Key Beach. It is ranked as one of the best beaches and I definitely would agree. Also in the area, are the beautiful Marie Selby Botanical Gardens.
I drove south to Naples for lunch, then headed back to Fort Myers. This time, instead of a chain hotel, I opted for a local hotel near the beach that a friend recommended. Great recommendation!
I’ll have several more posts and photos about St. Petersburg, the Dali Museum, the Botanical Gardens in Sarasota plus some favorite restaurants, especially in Fort Meyers and St. Petersburg.
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Clearwater Marine Aquarium, Florida ~ Photos ~ Quotes ~ May 2022
There’s no question dolphins are smarter than humans as they play more ~ Albert Einstein
Several years ago, after watching the beautiful movie, “A Dolphin Tale,” I made a mental note to someday visit the Clearwater Aquarium, which is Florida’s Marine Life Rescue Center. It is an incredible place to spend several hours and one that you can easily revisit.
Your journey to the Aquarium will include learning about the dolphins and otters and pelicans, etc. For those who have seen the movie and its sequel, there are photos and information about parts of the movie which were shot on location plus interesting data about Winter, the star. Winter and the Rescue Center gained world wide attention due to the film and the compelling story of Winter.
The main attraction is the dolphins ~ they are beautiful, mesmerizing and quite memorable.
Their web site has a great deal of information, including special events plus several web cams:
Clearwater Marine Aquarium | Florida’s Marine Life Rescue Center (cmaquarium.org)
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Dolphins speak to us of the rhythm of our emotions; breathing in joy before plunging into the depths and rushing to the surface to do it all over again ~ Anonymous
The dolphins and whales have a brain that is actually bigger in proportion to their size than we do. They are very complex. They are thinkers ~ Owsley Stanley
National Hug Your Cat Day ~ June 4, 2022 ~ Photos ~ Quotes
Celebrate with your special feline … and give lots of hugs …. OR hug a friend’s cat OR visit a shelter and hug a cat ….
Journeys are more meaningful with special pals … Savor the moments with your precious felines …
A cat has absolute emotional honesty: human beings, for one reason or another, may hide their feelings, but a cat does not ~ Ernest Hemingway
Cats have it all: admiration, an endless sleep, and company only when they want it ~ Rod McKuen
A cat is a puzzle for which there is no solution ~ Hazel Nicholson
All cats like being the focus of attention.” –Peter Gray
Time spent with cats is never wasted ~ Sigmund Freud
When the cat you love becomes a memory, that memory becomes a treasure ~ Unknown
The loss of a cat is immeasurable. But so is the love left behind ~ Unknown
Tarpon Springs, Florida ~ Photos ~ May 2022
Tarpon Springs, about 13 miles north of Clearwater, has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the US. It’s a cute town to walk about and definitely time it for lunch or dinner. The restaurant I chose for a late lunch was fabulous, from appetizer to dessert. I selected the restaurant that seemed to be the busiest – and I understood why once I tasted their food.
Hellas Restaurant ~ A friendly waiter brought the menu with many popular Greek dishes, plus some unknowns. The waiter spent time answering questions and giving recommendations. My favorite appetizer (Taramasalata with pita) was incredible. LOL – there were no leftovers! It was perfect with a glass of a delicious, white Greek wine, Kretikos. Because I knew I wanted dessert, I followed the appetizer with a very nice salad. The dessert menu is very extensive. I chose kataiffi – it’s a rolled type baklava and is terrific. The restaurant definitely warrants many trips to try other items on their menu. Bon Appetit (in Greek: Καλή όρεξη. [Kalí órexi]
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Clearwater Beach, Florida ~ May 2022 ~ Photos ~ Quotes
Don’t grow up too quickly, lest you forget how much you love the beach ~ Michelle Held
The ocean stirs the heart, inspires the imagination and brings eternal joy to the soul ~ Robert Wyland
The beach to me is a sacred zone between the earth and the sea, one of those in-between between places where transitions can be experienced – where endings can be mourned and beginnings birthed. A walk along the beach offers the gift of the unexpected ~ Joan Anderson
Our memories of the ocean will linger on, long after our footprints in the sand are gone ~ Anonymous
Isn’t it strange, the way time moves? I could stand here and watch the sea crash beneath me for hours and it would feel only like minutes had passed ~ Sjana Elisa Earp
We must free ourselves of the hope that the sea will ever rest. We must learn to sail in high winds ~ Aristotle Onassis
In one drop of water are found all the secrets of all the oceans ~ Kahlil Gibran
I followed my heart and it led me to the beach ~ Unknown
Dunedin, Florida ~ Photos ~ May 2022
Dunedin is a delightful town less than an hour west of Tampa, bordering the St. Joseph Sound. It is also close to Clearwater, Clearwater Beach, St. Petersburg and Tarpon Springs. You can easily get about using Uber or the Jolley Trolley. Jolley Trolley – Welcome Aboard Clearwater Jolley Trolley!
Main Street is fun to browse and explore. Get a map at your hotel and spend several hours leisurely perusing the many shops, including apparel, jewelry, arts and crafts and restaurants.
Favorite restaurants include:
Frenchy’s Outpost Bar and Grill ~ Frenchy’s has a Tiki Bar, terrific outdoor and indoor dining ~ very good menu, including excellent Fried Zucchini, grilled Mahi Mahi and a super Key Lime Pie
Criketers British Pub ~ extensive menu ~ Superb Fish N Chips and marvelous Portobello Fingers (fried mushrooms) ~ and the best Moscow Mule drink ever!
Yes, I want to return and explore more of this beautiful part of Florida, including Honeymoon Island State Park.
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Journey to Dunedin & Clearwater, Florida ~ May 2022 ~ Photos
My first plane trip since the pandemic was terrific. Flights were full, but on time ~ always a good thing. Rather than renting a car, as I’d never been to the area, I opted to explore using either Uber or the Jolley Trolley. It worked well ~ and next time I visit, I shall rent a car. I stayed at the Hampton Inn in Dunedin, just north of Clearwater and I highly recommend it.
There were two places that for me were “must see.” First, the Clearwater Aquarium, which I have wanted to visit since seeing the beautiful movie “A Dolphin Tale.” The Aquarium lived up to my expectations and more.
Second, I had heard about Tarpon Springs, north of Clearwater, which has the highest percentage of Greek Americans of any city in the US. It was fun to walk about and the restaurant I chose was incredible. Definitely worth a repeat visit.
I’ll have several more post about the Clearwater Aquarium, beautiful Clearwater Beach (yes, the Gulf is spectacular!), Tarpon Springs and Dunedin plus some favorite restaurants.
Savor your journeys, near or far, real or imagined
Journeys with Eileen Diane 