Beach Trip
May 1999
(photo essay for Melissa after recently meeting
and dating over the Internet)

Hi there! These are some pictures I took over the weekend. I haven't done a lot of photography (I didn't realize it could be so much work!) and I've only ever done touch ups in PhotoShop. So it took a little longer than I expected. But, there's more on the way! I'm anxious to play some more with the filters!

Our journey begins at the apartment complex... After several days of cold(er) weather and clouds,
I woke to a beautiful sky and a warm cozy breeze. Today was definitely the right day
for a photo shoot!

It's been awhile since I've used my camera, so it was off to the store
for batteries. Now, let's see if it's working...Click...Yep!

Today was the last day of "A Taste of Tampa Bay, " so that is the direction in which
I pointed my car. --Off to Treasure Island. Driving across the bridge on Central is
one of my favorite trips. So this is where I decided to take my first beach picture -- just
after the toll booth.

If you brave the traffic (there's not much) and walk over to the other side,
it looks a little like this. Sadly I still have not sailed these waterways. But, now that
I'm thinking about it, where's my to-do list?...

I had intended to go straight to St. John's Pass, put was lured away by pretty colors!
Kites are very wonderful. It is difficult to see in this picture, but flying
rather low and off to the right was a perfectly round kite. The entire time I was
watching, it never moved from its position despite the wind; It just rotated around,
and around, and around. :) Where's that to-do list again?! (Days that inspire oneself
and truly good!)

Moving away from the crowd, the view is a bit more serene.

The sand certainly isn't as soft by the Dunes as it is near the water. But,
maybe it is interesting enough for a picture?

After I watched the kites for a while I was getting thirsty. --Back into the car for John's Pass!
This picture below isn't very good, but it adds a little continuity to the story. It is also
neat because it looks like I'm starting to swerve into the other lane, which
I'm not. I don't think. Kids, don't try this at home!

St. John's Pass is a major inlet for small gambling ships, sunset and dolphin watching cruises,
fisherman, and people just out for a nice day. The area is busy with little shops, eateries and one very
good seafood restaurant called "The Friendly Fisherman." Supposedly, all or most of their fish is caught fresh
every day. And oddly enough, St. John's Pass (you can just about see it in this picture) also has a little
hologram shop with a great big virtual reality game! What more could you want?

After the "Adventures in Parking" ride, one finds themselves submerged (or perching) in
the surroundings. The pass can be peaceful, busy, adventurous, or boring. It depends
only on where you are standing!

Finally though, the ships must come home. And as this one is doing, so too do I
set about on my journey home with a full camera and empty belly. (I didn't take
pictures of the ice cream shop. Mmmm. Cookies and Cream... Dinner...)
I hope you enjoyed the photos! Stay tuned for a
series of night shots. The waterways are beautiful during the evening...

Have a wonderful day!