Tampa and The Bay

Work took me south again this winter. An escape to warmer weather mid -February is always welcome! Though the 3 days I was visiting Tampa happened to be the coldest days they'd had in quite a while. Though not the sunny, warm destination I'd hoped for there was still reason to be happy-NO SNOW! The people of Tampa were really very nice and I learned the population is pretty young and there are some big efforts underway to revitalize parts of downtown. I didn't get to venture too far aside from two trips to CVS (just couldn't resists) and a dinner at Rusty Pelican which had a great view and mediocre seafood. (I expected better from a restaurant on the Bay!) I have to say I did enjoy a mighty fine cuban sandwich and chili con carne from a street vendor outside the hotel (and down the street from the CVS.)

I missed out on trying the devil crab sandwich was was the "cart speciality." By the time I arrived for late lunch everyone had taken ordered the supply for the day. The cuban sandwich had nice crispy bread and slightly melted cheese and some little pickle slivers and mayo/mustard combo. It was rich and delicious! Half was plenty for me. The chili might have been Hormel. It wasn't too flavorful but since it was the soup of the day and came highly recommended I imagined it tasted better than it did!

The visit was short and didn't allow for much food or attraction exploration but I made due. At the end of the day a nice little reminder, you don't see a sunset like this in Manhattan!