And so here we are again, Friday. You said you'd always be there for me and here you are again. I've missed you. And I've worked far too hard to not make the most of you. Of course, it's the first weekend of summer and Memorial Day weekend to boot, so I'm not about to head to any of the usual haunts. No, sweet Friday, instead, I'm heading to Palm Harbor. Now, I know what you say — that there's nothing cool there, it's only a loose collection of suburbs, but you're wrong, sweet Friday. So, so wrong. Seriously, they have bikes and ice cream and beer and puppies. And they don't have all the Memorial Day beach crowds. So I'll see you there, Friday, and most likely I'll bring along Saturday and Sunday, too. If Monday's super well behaved, she can even tag along.
The Sweet Spot has ice cream. And that, my friends, is all you really need to know. Ice cream. Summer. Get two scoops. What the hell, get a sundae. You've earned it. While you're there, why not a Jolly Rancher soda? After all, it's the weekend.
Suncoast Animal League always needs dog walkers or kitten cuddlers — stop by and see how you can help (and hey, if you end up with a new pooch, even better).
Not so much into pets? Don't worry, the ones in the photo aren't real (look closer, we promise). That doesn't mean you can't stop by Suncoast Animal League's new thrift shop and check out the deals. They're brand-new, but all the internet chatter (i-chatter?) talks about the sweet deals they have. Plus, you know, they're dog-friendly. The real ones, we mean.
Pinellas Trail at the Palm Harbor overpass Credit: Daniel Oines via Flickr
Or walk it, or run it, or whatever. Palm Harbor has some of the prettiest stretches of it and — bonus — most of what we suggest here is a stone's throw from the Trail. The closest, of course, is…
As long as you're biking the trail through Pinellas Park, bike on over here for some brews — they're not even a bike length away from the trail. It's a locals place, and, despite what the name says, it isn't on stilts, and you're going to love it.
7. Wall Springs
Wall Springs Credit: Mikereichold via Wikimedia Commons
First things first: There's no wall, unless you mean Charles Wall, who owned the land here from 1884 until 1927. It's a natural spring and we're not saying it's the Fountain of Youth, but we are saying we've been there and have yet to die. The facts speak for themselves.
Even though it's at Innisbrook, anyone can go here for a spa services. Take a day if you need to and pamper yourself with massages, facials, a manicure… maybe a little yoga on the deck. This is the perfect place to walk around in a fluffy bathrobe, sipping bubbles and letting your brain unwind from a long week.
Look, by my calculation, half of you miss Obama, half of you are sick of those of us who miss Obama, half of you don't care and half of you think I suck at math. Half of you are right, but all of you need to laugh. And Steve Lazlow's at Sappers all weekend. Is he funny? Well, he's at a comedy club, and even if he isn't funny, he's from New York, so you can always offer him collards and laugh. Whatever it takes.
This is not Palm Harbor, but this is a kayak. You get the idea. Credit: Cathy Salustri
It's Memorial Day weekend, y'all, and that's why we're not about to suggest you take your kayak to Fort DeSoto or Tampa Bay. You. Will. Get. Killed. By. Drunk. Powerboaters. Instead, head to Pop Stansell Park and either rent a kayak from Sandy Feet Kayaks, or bring your own. Just stay out of St. Joseph Sound, and you'll be in good shape to see us here again next week.
Cathy's portfolio includes pieces for Visit Florida, USA Today and regional and local press. In 2016, UPF published Backroads of Paradise, her travel narrative about retracing the WPA-era Florida driving...
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