Sigh.
Look, I'm not going to editorialize. If you know me, you know me. And you should know that Florida, in general, is really not a place for me for many reasons. Sorry. There are fine people here, nice places to dine, lovely parks, all kinds of things. But it's not for me.
However, I don't care to make this blog a place for negative reviews and experiences. My life has those, for sure, but no, I'm not sharing them here. So yes, I'll put a positive spin on things, and yes, I'll say nice things.
I flew in on Wednesday, circling out over past St Petersburg and then on into Tampa.
40 years since I first and last flew in here, on a vacation with my Dad and sister. Things have probably changes since then - I only have dim recollection of St Petersburg Beach and none of Tampa airport at all. From the airport into the downtown of the city where I had a view of, well, a parking garage and a little of the Hillsborough River beyond.
After check in, I walked a little nearby, checking out the immediate surroundings.
Last night - Thursday night - I walked across the river to a restaurant not far from the University of Tampa campus,
I took a few more shots.
The downtown is a little indistinct, perhaps, but that may also be unfamiliarity on my part. Not unappealing, however, and it does have a real city feel to it.
I went a little farther afield this morning, heading north on the river walk past more buildings and parks.
All cities should have such features. It was a very nice walk, indeed - I'll follow it south tomorrow morning, I think. I took bridge photos for Conrad as well - I thought he might geek out on them a bit.
And then tonight it was a reception at the Florida Aquarium, from which we had a fine view around sunset.
I won't see much more of Tampa, barring greater adventures on tomorrow morning's walk. There is some interesting history here. There is a thriving city. I don't know if and when I will visit again. I still am ambivalent about Florida, but it was good to see Tampa all these later.
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