70th birthday!

Sunday October 23
Such a special day, surrounded by family. We had to get a pretty early start today, as we had decided to take a trip to Egmont Key, which lies to the north of Anna Maria island, but is reached by ferry from Fort de Soto Park, which is on the northern side of Tampa Bay, so it’s quite a long way around, across the Sunshine Skyway bridge. Jen had prepared another delicious breakfast, savoury today, and we treated ourselves to Mimosas (orange juice and champagne). We made sandwiches for our lunch, since there are no facilities on the island. The ferry ride was about 45 minutes, and as we walked along the dock to the boat, we saw a manatee, and then we saw a dolphin from the boat. The island has an interesting history, having been occupied by military forces several times in the course of its history. Fort Dade was established on the island in 1898, as a means to safeguard the Tampa Bay Area from the imminent Spanish American War. Construction on the fort was completed in 1906. The city had more than 300 residents and featured brick roads, electricity, telephones, a hospital, movie theatre, bowling alley and tennis courts. All that remains today are some ruins and some of the brick roads. The south part of the island is a shorebird refuge, closed to the public, providing a home for Osprey, brown pelicans, white ibis, Royal and sandwich terns, black skimmers and American oystercatchers. When we landed, we wandered round some of the ruins, seeing a number of Gopher tortoises along the way, then we had our lunch at a wooden picnic table, before crossing the island to the beach. Unfortunately, the available beach is reduced currently, as an area is cordoned off as they are dredging up sand off shore and piping it in to replenish the beaches. Also, being a Sunday afternoon, it was a popular spot with a number of boats moored just off shore. After our walking around the island, we were all thankful to jump in the refreshing water. We only had about an hour and a half before it was time to head back across the island for the boat. On the way back, we were treated to the sight of quite a large shoal of Cownose rays (see extra), and then as we were approaching the dock at the end, we once again saw a couple of dolphins.
So, altogether a great outing. I have put another collage from the island in extras. When we got back to the house, Laura and I had a dip in the pool, before we all changed and got ready for dinner, which was at the Waterfront restaurant just across from the city pier on the bay side. They didn’t take reservations, so while we were waiting for a table, we went for a walk along the pier. After a great meal we returned to the house, and then unfortunately Philip had to leave us, since he has class in the morning, but it was wonderful having the three of them together again, if only for an evening and a day!
So thankful for a wonderful day with family, and enjoying nature in beautiful surroundings and beautiful weather!
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