Clearwater Beach

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I assume there are as many varieties of palm trees as there are pine trees, for instance. These line the driveway to our hotel. They look very cool but I've come to the conclusion these are "regular" palm trees, manicured to look like this. Anyone? True?

Arsty shot of the back side of our hotel.

The hotel's fountain, pool and hot tub. We haven't used them but walked around them an evening or two. We're such goobers, we didn't know the hotel provides towels, all rolled up nice and neat on each chaise lounge. Good thing we didn't show up with our cheesy beach towels. This is a pretty classy joint, as I've said. But I have to say, they make the valets dress like little organ grinder monkeys. Boxy hats, long shirts and all. I'd feel sorry for them except with tips, they probably make more than I do.

This is the view from our room. Steve had the brilliant idea last night of leaving the curtains open because we enjoy looking at the lit up skyline. We had just turned off the TV at 11:00 - and fireworks appeared over the skyline. How cool is that?

There's a nature preserve on the property, where one can walk down this boardwalk to this gazebo.

Roseate Spoonbills seen from the boardwalk this morning.

We spent most of the day at Clearwater Beach. Just beautiful, as advertised! This is in the afternoon, after the crowd thinned out. Getting that hunky, tan, tall drink of water strolling down the beach in the picture was almost totally coincidental.

This is how the beach looked when we got there. I'm amazed we found an unoccupied umbrella and chairs. And I can tell you that no chair and no shade was going to make for one cranky Stefani.

This is what 18 bucks will get you for 5 hours. I'm referring to the umbrella and two chairs, not Mr. McStudly. Worth every penny, I say. As it was, I burned my legs to a crisp. I try to work the right balance between sensible sunscreen usage and admittedly want to return from vacation, looking like I'd be on vacation. One day of sun is all I needed. I even set the alarm on my cell phone so I wouldn't stay in the sun too long. The rest of me is fine, my legs are on fire. Time to go lotion up again.