The Dead Pan Society Day 5 - Clearwater

[boltyboy]

Trip Index

Today we are off to meet our friends in Clearwater, in all the times we have been to Florida we have never been to a beach other than Typhoon Lagoon but that doesn't count.

We have breakfast in the villa and are on our way at 9.45, Tomtom says it will take 1 hr 54 mins but we manage to do it in 1hr 30 and thanks to the DVD player in the Town and Country the boys are entertained by Sponge Bob and we don’t hear a peep.

P1000550 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000551 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000553 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

There is no parking right by the beach so we park in a multi story next to the Hyatt hotel which was $24 for all day, at least the car wasn't baking hot when we returned.

Est wasn't feeling too good today so I got her some cold and flu tablets from Walmart she said they made her feel worse but carried on regardless.

We made our way to Pier 60 and waited for our friends Mike and Helen with their 2 boys Daniel and Ethan.

P1000557 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

They arrive at just after 12 as planned we say our hellos and make our way over to the Little Toot to book a tour. We manage to get on the 1pm sail so not too long to wait.
We grab an ice cream, some water, have a chat and before we know it we are boarding.

P1000598 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

We set sail out of the harbor and make our out to the Gulf of Mexico all the while looking out for dolphins.

Oscar and Daniel
P1000558 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

Luke and Ethan
P1000559 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000564 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000565 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

Its not long before dolphins are spotted so the captain picks up his speed and they are jumping in the wake. Its so fantastic to see these beautiful creatures in their natural habitat jumping and having fun rather than in a tank in a theme park.

P1000567 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000568 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000569 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

We make our way right out into the Gulf and up to pier 60 and turn round and make our way back.

P1000582 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000585 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000587 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

There is a lot of construction going in in Clearwater.

P1000589 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

The captain tells us that the owner of the house below refused to sell this beautiful property right next to the beach, everyone else did so this is the only remaining one.

P1000595 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

A great boat trip it lasted about 90 mins everyone loved it, if you are in Clearwater its worth considering. By now we are all proper hungry so we decide on Clear Sky Café. Mike and I have Sky’s The Limit Burger, Helen has salad with grilled prawns, Est has toasted BLT with brie, Luke has pasta carbonara, Oscar has fish and chips, Ethan has grilled cheese sandwich and Daniel has margarita pizza. We all have soft drinks check comes to $120 inc tip.

P1000599 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000600 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000601 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000602 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000603 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000604 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000606 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000605 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000607 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000609 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

Stomachs full we head for the beach, now I’m not a beach person at all, sitting on a beach all day is my idea of a nightmare but the boys are gagging to get in the water. I could not believe how warm the water was, I have my baths colder! According to a sign up it was 88 °. We hang about the beach chatting while the boys play in the water.

P1000611 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000621 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000622 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000624 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000628 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000616 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000617 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000618 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

We had planned on staying until sunset but Est still wasn't feeling well so we call it a day say our goodbyes and head back to the villa.
On our way back you can see the sky getting darker and darker until the inevitable happens which ends in a beautiful rainbow.

P1000630 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

P1000634 by Paul Boulter, on Flickr

Est manages to sleep all the way home and upon inspection from yours truly she took the night time and not the day time tablet so no wonder she felt like rubbish.
There is loads of traffic on the way home it takes us over 2 hours to get back including a quick stop at Publix for some crisps and ice cream. The boys have some pool time while we chip and dip, with ice cold beer and wine, then into bed at 10 ish.

[dixonsontour]

Great day. Loved the little toot pictures.

[Pussycat Doll]

Sounds like a perfect day! Pussycat

[Milner]

Great day.

[holidaygirl1973]

Your report has made my day it is so lovely to see and ready about people seeing Dolphins in the wild, in their own world. There is nothing worse than reading someone's trip report and reading about how they went to discovery cove or sea world. Fair play to you 😀😀😀😀🐬🐬🐬🐬

[collybird]

Gorgeous weather for your trip and looks like excellent food too.

I had to laugh at the rain at the end of the day, at least it waited until you were on your way home.