Another Tequila Sunset

We’re back. We had the most amazing time in Florida. The weather was stellar – 2 weeks of sunshine and hot temps.

This is a picture from the condo balcony. We had tranquil vistas like this every night. We were so close to the water that we could watch the dolphins from here about an hour before sunset.

Jack and Thomas had such a great time together. They both learned to swim like fish and we couldn’t keep them out of the pool. The last couple of days that we were there, Jack decided to take off his water wings and swim on his own. He sank like a stone but it didn’t worry him too much – eventually one of us would have to fish him out and get him some air.

Crabby Bills is a crab shack a few blocks from where we stayed. It was dee-licious. I always ordered a cup of gumbo and a couple pounds of the local Stone Crab claws served with Slaw and drawn butter… and fries of course. And I did get carded at Crabby’s when I ordered the frozen Crabby Rita. In addition to the restaurant, they also have a gift shop and a take-away fresh fish monger. Trevor and I bought a fresh Red Grouper that was the size of my dog, and we grilled it up by the pool one night for dinner. IT was some of the best eatin’ ever.

Before the rest of the Binglers arrived, James and I took Jack to the Florida Aquarium in Tampa. This is a must see if you’re ever in the area. The aquarium has a recreated mangrove swamp and all the groupers and turtles are at eye level (for toddlers). There is an albino alligator, ‘Nemo’ fish, a ray petting tank, a ‘no-bones’ petting tank where you can touch all sorts of weird underwater stuff and the coolest shark tank ever. We watched a scuba diver as he cleaned the tank. We could have stayed for hours!

When the Thomas arrived, we took the greeblers to Busch Gardens. Thomas told off some annoying old people (they are everywhere in Florida) by saying, “Go away you old grandfathers!” Sarah bought a $2 pickle on a stick and ate the whole thing. Banky and James rode some crazy-ass coaster and then James felt a little green afterward.

We visited the Redington Pier, a place that we used to go to when Trevor and I were kids. The pier is full of crusty ol’ fisherman and an even crustier US Game & Fishing Warden. I had a blast talking to them. I told them that I was half ‘Newfie’ and fishing was in my blood. They thought that was pretty funny stuff.

Can’t wait for an invite for next year! How about it, Nanny & Papa?