Monday - left Tampa about 9.30am in a few minutes (really - about 45) we are in St Petersburg
stop at the first place that says 'latte' and plan our day
Start with finding an hotel - Hampton Inn/Suites although above our budget at $200 with $ for valet
parking the good news is we are sharing and the location is terrific . We agreed to limit the driving to the connections between cities and use public transport/taxi in town......
We check in and my MCard doesn't work as their system is down - plse call back later!! - front
desk in understanding!! - we decide it's a good thing Im not having surgery!!

Its a beautiful day 77c but feels cooler lovely breeze St P about 250,000 pop and we are down on the waterfront so a very different experience to Tampa where we were 100% 'funtional' - near the airport --we take the 25c trolley that runs through centre town to the Chuhuly Gallery - a glass artist - incredible!! He is from Tacoma, Washington - hope at least one picture is clear enough to enlarge!!
Followed by the trolley to the Dali gallery stopping for lunch at their cafe.   Dali not my favorite but
beautiful building and good guide (the guide at Chuhuly also good) --

once again the trolley and stop at a Craftsmarket that is 100% Florida - beautiful work especially the wood items and jewellery......walk to the hotel - Pam to nap and me to descende to the lobby
where there is free beer, wine and apps from 5-7: honest we didn't know when we checked-in!!
I've been craving junk food and they have natcho 'baskets' with guacamole/cheese/egg rolls - 2 kinds of beer (Budweiser) and red/white wine......liquor is limited to 2 drinks fortunately for me no
limit on the natchos!!

Tomorrow morning Pam wants to visit the Holaucast museum - not sure what I will do but might
go for a swim......pictures follow!