Tampa: Giant Bridge, Rays, Gulf Swimming

After we left Miami, it was time to drive across Florida, through the Everglades. Very long, very flat:

We stopped at the Miccosukee Service Plaza for lunch.

Gas-station pizza never tasted so good:

Friday's storm happened on the drive over. I'm the family's designated road-trip driver, Eryn was navigating, Dad was sleeping and Mom was watching the weather on her phone. It was a good storm: 

The trip was fairly easy... until I rounded the bend and spotted the HUGE bridge across the mouth of Tampa Bay into St. Petersburg. Saying I'm not super-comfortable with bridges is an understatement. This was the scariest thing I've ever crossed - WAY more intimidating than this picture. Usually I get really chatty when I'm nervous. I was silent as I white-knuckled it up, up, UP and over.

But we made it (and I knew our exit was in the other direction!), got to our hotel and walked across the highway for the Rays game at Tropicana Field:

More great seats:

Locals call it The Trop:

Tampa Bay: check!

Once again, we were looking for food way too late and ended up at a random smoothie place in a nearby hospital - and it was SO good!

Saturday was a short run on the treadmill before hitting the road:

Locals told us St. Pete Beach was the place to be, and we came prepared this time. Fortunately, there was a storm off shore that kept the sun away. Otherwise we wouldn't have been able to be out so long.

I felt so, so white. Some women lay out for their tans. I earned this baby! #runnertan

It was like bathwater.

Since it was 7/11 - FREE SLURPEES!

On the way out of town, we followed brown signs to the Van Fleet State Trail, a 30-mile, flat trail that had me yearning for my running shoes. It would have been perfect for an early-morning long run.

We stretched our legs for a bit:

These things were HUGE!

Best part was this "skate park":

Off to Orlando for a couple days of relaxation and Disney... 
:)