It had been a while since I last made my way to Tampa, and during Tracy’s recent visit to Southern California, she made sure to remind me. Not subtly, either. So, I booked the trip.
Arrival:
A Warm Welcome (and a Late Dinner)
I flew out on Thursday, March 19,
via Southwest, with a layover in San Antonio. By the time I landed in Tampa, it
was already evening—just late enough to skip any grand plans and head straight
to Tracy’s (new-to-me) home. We kept things simple with a late dinner and some
catching up, the perfect way to ease into the trip.
Friday:
Manatees, Sugar Highs, and a Great Dinner
Friday kicked off with a visit to the Manatee Viewing Center.
From there, we made what might have
been the most obvious stop of the trip: a place called “Strawberry Shortcake.”
And yes, it’s exactly what you think it is. Tracy and I each ordered the
classic shortcake—rich, delicious, and immediately followed by a full-on sugar
overload. The setup was casual: counter service with picnic tables out back
under shade kites. It’s only open about six weeks starting in March, timed
perfectly with strawberry season, which somehow made the indulgence feel
justified.
Dinner that night was back at
Tracy’s, and it was a standout. She prepared roasted vegetables alongside fish
wrapped in parchment paper—simple, flavorful, and something I’m now determined
to try at home.
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| Dinner of roasted veggies. Yummy. |
Saturday:
Gardens and Family Time
Saturday took us to Sunken Gardens
Botanical Garden, a place with a surprisingly interesting origin story. It all
began with a sinkhole that the founder gradually transformed into a lush,
layered garden. It’s the kind of place that feels both accidental and
intentional at the same time.
Lunch was especially meaningful. Our
sister Jan joined us at Salt Shack, where we shared good food, easy
conversation, and a toast to our brother Rick. Moments like that tend to anchor
a trip in a deeper way.
Sunday:
A “Pier” That’s Much More
On Sunday, Tracy and I headed to
Saint Pete’s Pier—though calling it just a pier doesn’t really do it justice.
It’s more like a waterfront destination, complete with gardens, restaurants,
multi-level structures, and sweeping views.
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| Terra Firma view from "The Pier". |
Lunch took us slightly off the beaten
path to Alessi Bakery, a spot known for both baked goods and Cuban sandwiches.
We split a hand-carved Cuban and a flan. The verdict? The sandwich was
outstanding—easily the star of the meal. The flan… not so much.
We followed that with a walk through
IKEA, gathering ideas for home projects (dangerous territory if you’re even
slightly inclined toward DIY).
That evening brought an unexpected highlight. Tracy’s friend John Portolese tipped us off about a band playing at The Independent.
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| Tracy & John @ The Independent. Good Times. |
The band was Dirk Quinn, and between the music and the venue,
it turned into one of those nights you’d gladly repeat.
Monday:
Wrapping Up
Monday morning was a mix of ideas
and good food. Tracy and I talked through home improvement projects for my
place while she put together a great brunch. Afterward, we took a stroll along
the Riverwalk before heading back to pack up and get ready for the flight home.
The return to San Diego was direct
and full—no surprises there—giving me a little extra time to reflect on a trip
that managed to be both relaxed and full.
Notes
to Self (and Future Projects)
Trips like this always come with a
few takeaways:
- Downloaded the SkyView Lite app for stargazing—worth
exploring more.
- Add more solar-powered lighting around the backyard.
- Try roasting vegetables with red and green cabbage
added in.
- Snip and replant rosemary seedlings into larger
containers.
- Find a nut grinder like mine and send Tracy the link.
- Consider Tracy’s DIY headboard idea: vertical slats
mounted to the wall, finished with horizontal slats—functional and
flexible enough to clip on lights or small shelves.
- Look into Delta Dental options that work with my
current coverage.
All in all, it was a trip that
checked a lot of boxes: time with family, a few new discoveries, good food, and
just enough inspiration to bring a bit of Tampa back home.
More Tampa March '26 pic here.
