St Petersburg Rocks!

When we arrived here (end of June/early July) this town seemed like a quiet, sleepy place.  We'd been warned by former residents of nearby Sarasota that it would be like this during the hot summer months. 

But, we were told, it will change come late September/October.  Has it ever! 

During the past few weeks, in sync with the temperatures falling to near perfect cool evenings and pleasantly warm sunny days, St. Petersburg has blossomed.  It's like the place was sleeping through the summer heat, waiting until fall to awaken.  For example, last weekend several blocks of Central Ave were closed to traffic for the St Petersburg Folk Festival.  We went on Friday night with our friend Beth and waded into the crowd.  The street was lined with booths selling folk art while the Indigo Girls played from the stage.  This was all free.

The next day was the season opening of the St Petersburg Saturday Market, just a couple blocks from us.  I was on the water teaching that day, so I couldn't go.  But Cathy went and reported that it was busy and fun.  Rather like Portland's Saturday Market.  She bought a nice straw hat and then went back to the Folk Festival.  She came home with three pieces of folk art.     

Last night we met Beth outside her condo on Beach Drive, which is a 15 minute walk along the bay front from us.  She took us up to her three bedroom unit on the 21st floor.  The view of the bay, harbor and marinas from up there is amazing.  We went down for dinner at one of the string of great restaurants on Beach Drive.  The street was alive with pedestrians.  Sidewalk tables were filled.  In a park across the street a bluegrass group played until dark.  Then, a screen and projector showed the movie "Field of Dreams".  (The Tampa Rays lost their second play-off game that afternoon.)     

This is only the start. There is a full calendar of city events.  Check out the website.
http://ilovedowntownstpetersburg.com/event-calendar

This evening a group of us Flagship Sailing Club members will get together and go out for a Sunset Cruise.  Watch the sun go down behind the St Petersburg skyline.  There will be no moon visible tonight, so the stars and the planet Jupiter should be brilliant.