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Went to Tampa, Florida on vacation this year.

Though I’ve been to Florida several times, I’ve never been to Tampa.  The trip came about when a girlfriend from St. Louis, who’s son was playing in a baseball tournament in Tampa, invited me to come with them.  I thought…Florida in July…is this really something I want to do?  And then…do I really want to spend all of my time watching 14 year old boys play baseball? 

Glad I did.  We had free days and plenty of time to explore the beautiful Tampa-Clearwater area.  And it didn’t hurt that one of the coaches of the team was former St. Louis Cardinal catcher, Mike Matheny.  If you’re a Cards’ fan, you know Mike’s easy on the eyes.  Even got to meet his wife, Kristen, who’s as nice as Mike is.  Wonderful couple! 

I’d post some pictures I took of Mike, but they’re all from far away.  FYI – I didn’t want to come across as a stalker, ya know.  I’ll just say this, Kristen’s a lucky lady. 

The first day of competition the games got cancelled because of rain, so we headed to Busch Gardens.  Loved it!  It’s like combining 6 Flags with one of the best zoos you’ve ever seen.  What’s cool about Busch Gardens is that you really get close to the animals. 

We saw a white tiger, who ended up playing a little ball with us.  My friend’s son, Tyler, had won a basketball and when the Tiger saw it, he kept pawing at the glass trying to get it.  I then started rolling the ball up the glass and, sure enough, Mr. Tiger would follow it with his eyes, then stand up on his hind legs right in front of me.  I felt so powerful!  Needless to say, immediately I was surrounded by camera-clad vacationers saying “do it again”.  So, I kept rolling the ball up the glass to accomodate all of the paparazzi. After a while, my playmate got bored & moved on, which was fine with me ’cause I was getting tired of rolling the ball up the glass even if it was entertaining this magnificent animal.

Amongst the white tigers, lazy alligators – I swear they were stuffed ’cause they never moved! we also saw the Clydesdales, which was kind of sad for a St. Louis girl, like me – this was the day the InBev take over was announced. 

More baseball games – actually quite fun to watch – they were even playing a team from Puerto Rico – then more free time.

Went to Clearwater Beach, one of the most beautiful beaches I’ve ever seen.  At evening time, a storm was moving in – it rained a lot, but that’s Florida – which made the sunset over the ocean spectacular with the dark clouds moving in.  I took a picture on my phone…sent it to me sister, who’s the biggest beach bum I know.  Her reply, was one word “stop!”.  I think she’s booking her timeshare for Clearwater as I write.

Had a great grouper sandwich at Frenchy’s, which I guess is THE place to be on Clearwater beach.  We see a white Escalade drive up & out gets Hulk Hogan’s estranged wife, Linda.  She ends up hanging out in the bar right next to us.  No, I didn’t take a picture – again wanted to act cool – though she was happily posing for pictures, especially with all the young men hanging around her.  BTW – whatever you think of her – yes she’s kind of crazy these days - she looked great.  Looked like she had dropped quite a bit of weight from the “Hogan Knows Best” days.  FYI – some folks from our group were there the day before & in walks Hulk & daughter Brooke.  Now, that’s a picture I would have taken.  I told you Frenchy’s is the place.

Another day we went to Tarpon Springs, which is this quaint little Greek community.  It’s where the sponge divers go out and dive for…well, sponges.  Had an awesome Greek Salad with some flaming Saganaki cheese -opa!  

Then back to Clearwater Beach & to Frenchy’s for one more grouper sandwich - no reality series star sightings this time.

All in all, I had a great time and definitely want to go back -hello sister with timeshare?? – and definitely recommend Tampa-Clearwater as a vacation destination for families with or without kids. 

Maybe I’ll run into you at Frenchy’s.   

If you’ve been to a cool place, let us know about it.  Post a comment below.  Celebrity sightings always welcome!