St. Pete Walks

About one mile directly east of our bungalow was Vinoy Park, right on Tampa Bay, next to the historic Vinoy Hotel. The park had wide green lawns, shady swings and hammocks, and a view of the St. Pete Pier. From here, the North Bay Trail stretched for miles in either direction. It was fun walking along the bay on a sunny New Year’s Day!

Walking north from Vinoy Park, the trail went along Tampa Bay and then turned left onto Coffeepot Boulevard. There were many Mediterranean-style mansions on Snell Isle and along the trail, which ran along the outer edge of the neighborhood aptly called Historic Old Northeast. An elegant Renaissance Venetian-style bridge connected Coffeepot Boulevard to Snell Isle.

I stopped often along the North Bay Trail to admire the birds: a flock of white pelicans, a plumed white egret browsing for a meal, brown pelicans gliding just inches over the water, and spoonbills roosting in the mangroves on Bird Island. Bird Island is a protected sanctuary and the home of more than a dozen species!

Walking south from Vinoy Park, the trail led to the St. Pete Pier. The shops and restaurants were too touristy for me, but I liked the sweeping views of downtown St. Pete. Across the bay, in the distance, I could see downtown Tampa.

Back home, right near our bungalow, were two small lakes encircled by paved trails. Round Lake had a gazebo, an impressive banyan tree, and several restaurants nearby. Crescent Lake was larger, with rolling lawns and pickleball courts. Instead of swans, white pelicans floated serenely in the lake. One day at Crescent Lake, I spotted a white ibis nesting nearby.

There were many interesting and beautiful houses in our neighborhood. At the corner of 1st Avenue and 9th Street was a house with an interesting 3D sign out front. It looked different depending on which street you stood on. This is that same sign, from three different angles. So artsy and clever!