Just a day at the beach...or not...

The cost of two parking spots at two different beaches: $20

2 Lunch specials at the local pizza joint: $12

Spending 15 minutes at the beach before deciding to drive all the way back home and use the community pool: PRICELESS

Ryan had all the best intentions. We had decided that after our vacation, we would make every effort to hit a beach each weekend (pending weather) and enjoy the proximity of Tampa to all the warm water beaches we have surrounding us. Last week, we went to Anna Maria Island. This week, we thought maybe we'd try Pass-A-Grille Beach in St. Petersburg.

We packed up the car with all the beach gear and headed out after breakfast. It took us about 45 minutes to get there and find a spot to park. Ryan put $10 in the meter and we headed over to the beach...only to find that the entire beach was COVERED in seaweed (the water's version of lettuce, as Ryan described to Riley) and the water was anything but swimmable. Let's just say even Ronan didn't want to get in and the boy could give a rat's behind about anything...

So,we decided to pack our stuff up and try heading to a different beach. Well...we drove and drove and drove and somehow made it all the way to Clearwater. We paid another $10 to park, walked to the beach with all our sand stuff and whaddya know, more seaweed.


Okay, I know you are saying, "Maria, puh-lease, every friggin' beach has seaweed, get over it." Yes, I know that and Ryan knows that, but seeing as how clear the water was and how nice the beach was at Anna Maria, we just thought something wasn't right.


So, we sat there for 15 minutes and I tried to tan my white bum by giving myself a wedgie...and when that didn't work, we packed up and headed back home to swim at our community pool...which we did for a good 2 hours and came back with some sun.