[Our bar hop began innocently enough...]
The weekend kicked off Friday night with a bit of a spontaneous bar hop. We had gone to the local tax collector's office that afternoon to get me a new driver's license (mine's expired, eeps!) but, alas, since I have yet to change my name with the Social Security office, it would have been a pointless expenditure of time and money since I would have to come back, take a new picture and pay another fee to get the new license updated to one with my married name. So, GT got a new Florida license—even though he doesn't need one for three months! Boys, they have it so easy.
Anyway, I suggested stopping in downtown for a drink before heading home to make dinner, one thing led to another and before we knew it we were in the midst of a bar hop! At first my stated goal was to discover "the best happy hour in St. Pete" but, after a few drinks, that mission fell by the wayside. Nevertheless, we had a blast getting a taste of the 'burg. We started the night at The Moon Under Water (where my glass of Pinot Grigio cost just $2.50 on happy hour!) and then moseyed over to 400 Beach Seafood & Tap House for two rounds (a nice couple, New York-natives, St. Pete-transplants, picked up our first as a "honeymoon" gift).
[Our second round at 400 Beach. The bartender let GT make a bad choice in beer the first round, but he wised up. Pinot Grigio, on the other hand, rarely lets me down.]
Feeling pretty good by then, we walked to the other end of Beach Drive to check out Ceviche, where we sampled a few tapas (shamefully all bread-related), a gin-laced Gunga Din and a fruity red Sangria.
[Our server recommended the red Sangria as the popular choice and it didn't disappoint! GT likes gin so he ordered Ceviche's twist on a classic Gin Gimlet.]
Though all the carbs we consumed we're doing an admirable job soaking up the booze, we decided we needed some real food (and more carbs) and traveled back down the street again to BellaBrava, where we shared the trattoria's namesake Pasta Brava. Much like pasta carbonara, the dish was salty, creamy and filling—just what a tipsy girl needs at 10 p.m.
[Pasta Brava.]
I also had a delicious wine cocktail but to be honest I had to look up the menu to remember what it was! It was a Stone Fruit Rose made with St. Germain Elderflower Liqueurs. Sweet with a little fizz. Yum.
[Stone Fruit Rose.]
Saturday was a lazy day since GT had duty and I was recovering from a massive hangover. Naturally.
But I did manage to take Cali to the dog park for a bit of fetch and socializing with other pups.
[Meet Cali. She's a love bug. And to her, that green ball is the best. toy. ever.]
And I took in a lovely sunset from our balcony, too.
[A glimpse of a glowing Florida sunset.]
Sunday we were back in fighting form and determined to FINALLY make it to the beach. Can you believe that after two months in St. Pete we still had not put our feet in the Gulf Coast sand? Blasphemy.
We stopped at the market for picnic supplies (salami, crackers, hummus, olives, macaroni salad, yogurt-covered pretzels and mini bottles of Riesling) and then made our way to the coast. We ended up at Treasure Island Beach. The sky was bright, the sun scorching hot and the ocean like bath water. So different from the California beaches and Pacific Ocean we're used to! But it was beautiful and wonderful.
[Sailboat in the Gulf.]
[Cheers!]
[The hubs splashing in the surf.]
We left once my so-pale-it's-practically-translucent skin started turning splotchy and the color of lobster. Which didn't take long. But we continued our picnic at our apartment pool... Until it started to rain. Gotta love that Florida weather! Still, relaxing in the jacuzzi with my husband, finishing our mini bottles of Riesling while raindrops hit pitter-patter on the ground... I can't think of a better way to end the weekend.
I may have a sunburn on my back, but I have a smile on my face.
I still can't quite get over how white the sand is in the gulf. Although I still can't quite call their beaches better than California beaches, especially since they have jelly fish. I told my brother-in-law that we just didn't have jellyfish at beaches in California, but he didn't quite believe it was possible!
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