The Sail Pavilion is in the bottom center with a blue roof. What a terrific place to stop, relax, kick back and enjoy life in Tampa. It a wonderful place when you're downtown and is easy and close by wherever you might be. It's the perfect hang-or if your attending a convention at the Tampa Convention Center or visiting the Tampa Bay History Center. If you're a guest at the Waterside Marriott, Embassy Suites or Wyndham Harbour Island Hotel, this is the escape you will really appreciate. If you're a walker, jogger, boater, bike rider or just exploring Tampa's Riverwalk, you'll find this is the place to stop and take a break. You're right on the water and can really enjoy the sunset view or watch boats docking...yours preferably at the public docks 10 yards from your seat at Sail. They serve a variety of beverages including cold beer, soft drink or healthy beverages.
After making your way around Tampa’s Riverwalk you will delight in finding Sail Pavilion. Pus, if you own a Pekingese, or some other brand, it is very dog friendly. They have water dishes and complimentary dog bones. Your hound will think it's his/her place. They are open Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, 4:00 p.m.—10:00 p.m., Saturday 11:00 a.m.—8:00 p.m.,and Sunday 11:00 a.m.—6:00 p.m.
73 degrees, light clouds and a brisk breeze. Could January and Tampa's winter weather get any nicer than this?
I know it seems whiny to all of you living in most parts of the country but Tampa's (and Florida's) long run of freezing temperatures is most unusual. (So much for "global warming.") I don't think any of you up north are shedding any tears for us...they'd freeze. LOL. I just took this shot from the side of Tampa General Hospital located on Davis Islands. Two fishermen were crossing in front of me in a small skiff and were bundled for the cold. Today's high of 58 is a momentary break in a week or more of below normal temperatures. Saturday is forecast to be a high of 49 and an icy low of 29. Of course, the sky will be brilliant blue, not a hint of clouds. The air is so clear, crisp, clean and invigorating it's an amazing scene. And wonderful to breath in. The beaches would be outstanding right now but a bit chilly. I bet there are plenty of our Canadian friends sunning themselves right this very moment, Mojito in hand, sunblock on their noses.
OK, so this scene does not feature any of nature's traditional autumn colors...or any sign that fall has arrived on Florida's delightful Gulf Coast. But, the evening IS cooler by ten degrees and there's a light breeze. Delightful. Yes, that's the word to describe our small corner of the world. Is it any wonder why I thoroughly enjoy your posts from New England like John's from Newtown, Pennsylvania, Lori and her Skoog Farm Journal from Western New York State (and your kitchen fireplace), Sunny at Barnyards and Barnacles in Massachusetts, Brattcat living in Brattleboro, Vermont and Don and Krise calling Olympia, Washington home. Even the high desert of Santa Fe is seeing the change in temperature and colors in the sky and trees. Lois in Tallahassee, Florida, our state's capital, is far enough north to feel a completely different autumn or at least is having more fall-like weather. (Hey, Jacob, in Ocala, are you getting out the wool sweaters and stacking the firewood yet?) Thanks one and all for living in such places of beauty....and seasons.
It is not raining here but as you can see from looking across the Hillsborough Bay at our city's skyline, it's hot, humid and hazy off in the distance. But, in our favor, we can enjoy the beauty of the magnificent bodies of water that surround us and the gorgeous skies that look down on us every day. A slight pinch of autumn may be in store for us this weekend (temperatures forecast to plummet into the mid 70s for a high) but we should be grateful for the near-perfect weather we can boast of to everyone already wearing winter parkas and out shoveling snow from the driveway. Sorry friends. 
Click HERE to see other wet and Watery Wednesday images from around the world.
Visit Skywatch Friday t
o see the beauty and wonders of the world's most magnificent skies. It's always an amazing show.
For Watery Wednesday, I thought I would shoot a simple image that captures the beauty of our city at the point where the Hillsborough River flows into the channel and the bay. Yes, even under drought conditions, and with water restrictions in place, we do have tons of freshwater surrounding us in our rivers and bays - just not underground in our aquafer.
Click HER
E to see other wet and Watery Wednesday images from around the world.
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There aren't many better views of Hillsborough Bay, Davis Islands and the entire downtown skyline in all of Tampa. And, for the cost of a blue (or red) camp chair, and a giant Slurpee, it's free. Relax and enjoy the vista, the cool breeze off the bay, sea gulls swooping in on dinner and long conversation. Now how could life be better? The quiet conversation as you come closer to overhear is Chrysler's bankruptcy, its merger with Fiat, whether the kids' trip to Cancun will be cancelled because of the Swine Flu pandemic (that's it, no more pork chops for you Helen), when WILL they capture Bin Laden (Just send me in after him Ruthie), after we lost all our life's savings we can't even afford another Slurpee and on and on and on. And to think that in our grandparent's day all they worried about was the flu pandemic of 1918, a silly dust bowl, handsome Mr. Coolidge ruining our country and the Great Depression. Isn't life a hoot, Helen. What will this generation think up next? Silly kids.
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