Florida is a big ol’ state. Just how big?
Well, according to City-data.com,
“The total area of Florida is 58,664 sq mi (151,939 sq km), of which land takes up 54,153 sq mi (140,256 sq km) and inland water 4,511 sq mi (11,683 sq km). Florida extends 361 mi (581 km) E–W; its maximum N–S extension is 447 mi (719 km). The state comprises a peninsula surrounded by ocean on three sides, with a panhandle of land in the NW.”
Even though Studly Doright and I have lived in Tallahassee for the past three years, and prior to this stint we lived in Melbourne, FL, for a period of four years from 2000 to 2004, with a stretch of Illinois in between, there are a great many places in the Sunshine State that we’ve yet to visit.
This week we’re heading to one of those long neglected places, Clearwater Beach, for a belated 40th anniversary celebration.
Clearwater Beach is on Florida’s Gulf Coast, roughly 40 miles from Tampa. Rumor has it that the beaches there are some of the finest in the world, and I plan to do some serious investigating–mostly from the comfort of a lounge chair under a broad beach umbrella while sipping a mojito.
My Studly Doright is in need of a hefty dose of downtime, so we haven’t made plans to do anything too strenuous on our vacation. We have tickets to see The Dixie Chicks in Tampa on the 19th,
and I want to check out the Clearwater Marine Aquarium where “Dolphin Tale” was filmed.
I made Studly watch “Dolphin Tale” so he’d be familiar with Winter, the dolphin.
Other than that, we’re going to be lazy beach bums for a week. I’ll try to keep up with my blog, and I’ve got a few pieces queued up. Maybe I’ll even find some new inspiration.
What??? It could happen. Until then, keep the faith.
Peace, people!
Praying for Eyebrowz 
Looks great, wish I could be there 😀 Have a wonderful time!
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I’m certainly hoping we will. Poor Studly has caught a nasty cold.
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Oh no, all the best xx
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We made it to Clearwater just now. He’s ready to check into our hotel so he can sleep. 😢
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Great Grits. Forty years! Congrats to you and your beau. And you two…good time the Gulf.
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Thank you! We need lots of good thoughts. Studly seems to have caught a nasty cold. 😢
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Enjoy yourselves
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Pray for Studly to get well!
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Have a great trip. My in-laws live in Clearwater (Dunedin before that) and we love to go to Honeymoon Island when we visit. That would be an apt place for an anniversary trip. There are some trails. The beaches aren’t the best for swimming but last time we were there we saw a dozen or more dolphins. Have a wonderful time!!!!!
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Oh wow! I’m a dolphin nut! Thanks!
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Hey, if Florida was towed to Europe, it would be bigger than Denmark, Switzerland, the Netherlands or Belgium! It would be smaller than France, Germany and Italy, though. (I knew that Wikipedia page would be useful for something eventually.)
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I want to see the towing apparatus!
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That part of the project is still in the planning stage. 🙂
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Love the margarita beach quote and that cute guy pic. :Where else but in Florida. -) . Thanks for sharing.
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Cute guy pics are always appropriate!
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Your posts are always so inspirational for me since we’ve only lived here for two years now. I will now add Clearwater to my list. Love the Dixie Chicks too!
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We are learning so much about Clearwater Beach! Hopefully I’ll be able to do a comprehensive review post when we get home. It’s very laid back.
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