It’s a full moon this weekend, which means things should be gearing up for full-on batshit crazy this weekend. Plus we lose an hour of sleep (bummer) but we get later sunsets (better), which means —you guessed it —time to dust off that paddleboard and get out in the world, even if it’s a run on the beach (or a beer on the beach) after work. As for me, I’m starting to feel the need to get outdoors. I’ve pulled the water socks out of the closet and I’m ready to be outside.
That means the moonlight paddle at Upper Tampa Bay Park or a paddle through Mobbly Bay Wilderness Preserve an early morning hike through Fort DeSoto’s Arrowhead Picnic Area or a bike Ride for the Animals (and attend Mutt Madness with your own pup) with Suncoast Animal League. Howl at the moon with a full moon night hike at Golden Aster Scrub Preserve. If I were more motivated this weekend, I’d run the 8th Annual Florida Beach Halfathon & 5K in St. Pete, but in all probability I’ll down a burger at Sandbar Bill’s on St. Pete Beach.
Sensing a theme? It’s the weather. Even my brunch will be outdoors, and it won’t really be brunch — I’ll head to the long-neglected (by me) Paradise Grille on Upham beach for eggs and only-so-so coffee, then saunter over to the SPB public library to bid on one of their book baskets. If the heat gets to be too much, well, there’s always the Swigwam.
Wherever you go and however you do it, though, watch out for the cherry-crusted nutbars out there, Loafers. More importantly, look around — if you don’t see one, odds are, it’s you.
Want to see your events here? Tell us about them at local.cltampa.com.
This article appears in Mar 9-16, 2017.
