Clearwater Daily Photo

Road Trip: Palm Harbor Homes For Sale: 3 Bedroom 2.5 Bath Water View

2012-01-16T17:36:00.001-05:00

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I was on a little road trip the other day, with a friend in the real estate business. This is a home that is for sale in Palm Harbor. It has three bedrooms, two and a half bathrooms, and a two car garage. But the really cool thing is the awesome view of the pond out back. I mean, that is a sweet water view!

This home was built in 1985 and it is listed for $249,900. If you think it's as neat as I think it is, feel free to click on either of the images, and it will open a new window or tab where you can see full details.

Click picture to see the full listing in a new window

If you'd like search for more Clearwater homes for sale or Palm Harbor homes for sale, click here.
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More of my photography:
Dunedin Daily Photo
Clearwater Beach Daily Photo
My photography blog
We Love Truck Pictures
Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Skycrest Auto Service: Red Garage Picture: Drew Street, Clearwater, Florida

2011-01-15T08:09:00.000-05:00

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I'll tell you right up front, I'm posting this particular picture on this particular day simply because I feel like red today! Meanwhile, here is Skycrest Auto Service, on Drew Street. It's part of pictures of Clearwater, Florida because, well, it's a part of Clearwater Florida!

Now, I've never had any work done at Skycrest Auto Service, so I can't say for sure what the place is like. But I did learn a few things from his website. The owner's name is Hovagim Demirdjian. He is Armenian, and has owned Skycrest Auto Service since 1980. His website has lots and lots more information.

So if your cars needs some repair work or other service, maybe you could call Skycrest Auto Service and see what you think of them. If you have already been there in the past, feel free to let us know how it went. I know car repairs are a real pain in the butt, so if you have a great experience with a repair shop, please share that with us too, as we are always looking for the good guys!

Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

"And now, a word from our sponsors":

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Clearwater, Florida: Ahoy Mateys! Captain Romantic and the Krewe of the Bitter End

2010-12-05T15:39:00.005-05:00

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Better Half and I ventured out to check out First Friday in Clearwater last Friday evening. Oh my. One reason, especially, for having made it out on that particular Friday night was that there was to be SNOW! That's right. Snow, right here in Clearwater, Florida. And there was!

I'm happy to say that it was not oh-my-God-the-roads-are-closed snow, just a very localized dusting that resulted in a pile big enough for the kiddies to get on and slide down. What fun! I mean, how cool is it to be able to go sledding for even just thirty seconds in a place like Florida?

Meanwhile, before we could even get to the snow pile... we were accosted by PIRATES!! That's right, pirates right here in downtown Clearwater. Very fun! That would be Captain Romantic on the right, and the Krewe of the Bitter End! I'm pretty sure that is Jensen in the middle (I know, not much of a pirate name... perhaps I got it wrong?). These guys were awesome! The costumes are wonderful, and they were having a great time with the crowd and the photographers like me. Thanks Guys!
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Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: 2010 Thanksgiving St. Pete Times 10K Turkey Trot, 5K Fun Run, 5K Wingding, Gobbler Maps

2010-11-22T19:37:00.009-05:00

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If the upcoming Thanksgiving holiday weren't enough excitement by itself, consider the impending 2010 Thanksgiving St. Petersburg Times Turkey Trot. It's not just a Turkey Trot 10K race of course. There are four races that day. There is the Gobbler 1 mile fitness run/walk, the 5K Fun Run for walkers, joggers and strollers, the 5K Wingding, and of course the 10K Turkey Trot itself. Click for Times Turkey Trot race information and maps.

Meanwhile, if you would be so kind, if you are participating in the races this year, please do not rip the tags off your new running togs and just throw them on the ground. While it may seem like the neighborhood around the race area is one big parking lot, it is really the home of lots of people who don't find the littering all that endearing. Thanks! =}
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Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: 2010 Foster Grant Ironman Championship Triathlete Cycling Photographs

2010-11-13T20:49:00.008-05:00

ORDER NOW: Clearwater 2010 Foster Grant Ironman Championship 70.3 Triathlete Cycling Photographs are now available for print orders. Visit our online gallery to view, select, adjust and order your very own prints of athletes in the 2010 Clearwater Ironman triathlon race. Visit the Clearwater Ironman Bib #'s gallery and ORDER NOW. More photos are being added each day, so please check back often. Brought to you by Fat Head Photo and Wayne Smaridge.

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2010 Clearwater Foster Grant Ironman Triathlon Athlete bibs 469, 258. I still get tired just looking at these photographs of the 2010 Foster Grant Ironman Championship Triathletes on the cycling course. These folks were working hard! It was all so very impressive to see them. I was even more impressed by those who had the sportsmanship, or whatever you want to call it, to smile for the camera. I was amazed at how many of them would tilt their heads and smile at me as they pumped by. It made me smile over and over and wish I could smile and wave back. Hard to do that though, when I am holding the camera, snapping like crazy to try to capture the moment as they came whizzing by.

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2010 Clearwater Foster Grant Ironman Triathlon Athlete bibs 427, 594, 419, 639. It was a pleasure to get the opportunity to stroll down the street and take some pictures of these athletes cycling through their triathlon race. I don't know if there are other folks taking athlete photos or what, but I can tell you, I snapped over 530 images in just a short while, and I know I didn't get them all! Wow! Next time, I will be better prepared!

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2010 Clearwater Foster Grant Ironman Triathlon Athlete bib 553. They seemed to come from just about all age groups, men and women, even a variety of fitness levels, if I dare say so. And please don't take that as criticism, these people were ALL awesome. It's just that some seemed more 'experienced' than others.

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2010 Clearwater Foster Grant Ironman Triathlon Athlete bib 000??!! But hey, please don't get me wrong, this is coming from the guy sitting on his ass on the sidewalk while these people burned through enough calories to keep a small city warm this winter! Congratulations to the 2010 Foster Grant Ironman Championship Triathlon Athletes!

If you'd like to see more photographs and pictures of the 2010 Foster Grant Ironman Championship Triathlon Athletes, click over to Clearwater Beach Daily Photo.
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Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

2010 Foster Grant Ironman Bicycle Athlete Prints Available Online NOW

2010-11-13T14:31:00.001-05:00

Clearwater, Florida Sunset On Fire! Spectacular!

2010-11-07T09:10:00.002-05:00

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This awesome sunset photograph was captured from the Seminole Boat Ramp in Clearwater, Florida. Having some clouds in the sky at sunset always seems to add a little something to the event. I hope you enjoy the picture. I certainly enjoyed the sunset!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Do you like TRUCKS? Check out We Love Truck Pics! Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Hot Stuff Super Boats: Offshore Racing That Will Drive You Blind!

2010-11-04T22:14:00.003-04:00

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It just hit me! We need to get the guys who are building these bad ass offshore racing boats to build some hot stuff military boats for our boys in uniform!! Seriously... how much damage are our soldiers going to do when they can get up on it with this kind of hardware? A LOT!

I want to see one of these monster boats with the U.S. Navy colors all over it. Or the Marines, oh yeah!!! That would be so awesome, it's not even funny! Look out James Bond! USN or USMC is here and kicking ass! Let's face it, that's a great freaking idea. Yeah, let's take Instigator #1 here, and Twisted Metal P4-30, (hell that already sounds like a military boat), and deck them out with some nasty shoot-crap-out-of-the-bad-guys hardware and cut them loose. I would LOVE to see that! Like that Stihl boat... talk about opening one GIANT can of WHOOP-ASS!!!

Or, is it P1-30? Hell, I can't tell, and I can't remember! Hahahaha

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Think you've got what it takes to drive one of these monster? Check it out...

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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Do you like TRUCKS? Check out We Love Truck Pics! Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Smoking Red Hot Lipstick Lamborghini Lights Up Clearwater, Florida

2010-10-27T21:20:00.005-04:00

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This razor sharp, smoking hot red Lamborghini was on display at the Dick Landy Racing Team booth, at the Super Boat Offshore Racing festival in Clearwater. Wow, that was a mouthful! Anyway... this baby is way past sexy! I saw at least three people lose their pant legs when they brushed against the front bumper of this road bound rocket! (ok, not really, but whatever)

As nearly as I can tell with a little online research, this is a Lamborghini Diablo VT Roadster. Here is a link to the Lamborghini website, but I gotta tell you, I don't think it flows all that well. Yeah, it's slick, but a bit of a pain to navigate.

Meanwhile, before putting one of these on my Christmas list (it IS that time of year), I thought I would hunt down a used one and see what they are going for. Well... I found several listings, but one stood out. There is a beautiful blue specimen for sale on Long Island, New York, for only $119,500. That's right. It's a 1998 that has had only one owner. Not bad if you are in the market for something like this! But hey, if you buy it, please tell them you heard about it on Clearwater Daily Photo, okay?

If you're like me... you might just have to settle for something a little more reasonable. Amazon, for instance, can hook you up with a pocket sized version for less that fifty bucks: Lamborghini Diablo VT Metallic Red 1/43 Autoart Diecast Model Car

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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Do you like TRUCKS? Check out We Love Truck Pics! Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Maximum MOJO P2-9 Super Boat Packs Passion In A Bottle In Clearwater, Florida

2010-10-19T18:56:00.005-04:00

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Let's just talk about the toys for a minute here. The only thing missing in this picture is a nice big Ford F450 to pull this monster offshore racing super boat. Oh, by the way... that Ford F450 is just out of the picture to the left!!

So you've got a monster twin hull offshore racing super boat, Team Raven Offshore Racing. Then there's the hot little convertible Ford Mustang, in "you'll-never-catch-me red", looking like 200 mph sitting still. There's the Ford F450 Super Duty dually pickup truck, just out of frame to the left (more Ford muscle). Then, so you don't have to walk back and forth in the heat, all over the festival grounds, you bring along a couple of zippy little scooters! Way to go Team Raven, with their MOJO Passion In A Bottle Super Boat.

What's not to like about this picture? That is, if you ignore the lack of Boat Show models (scroll down 4 posts if you really must).
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Do you like TRUCKS? Check out We Love Truck Pics! Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Bright House 2010 Clearwater Super Boat National Championship Festival: Fountain #47 And WarPaint US-1

2010-10-06T22:18:00.005-04:00

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Yeah, I can't get enough of these monsters... so keep coming back, I still have a few more photographs of the offshore racing powerboats that showed up for the Bright House 2010 Clearwater Super Boat National Championship.

*** SPECIAL NOTE: I will soon be establishing online galleries where you can buy prints or downloads of my photography. Please check back, or email me, to find out when the galleries are up. Thanks! ***

Awesome boats, fun to look at, exciting to drive... but if you're like me, you can only afford the toy versions.
Equilibrio Offshore Racing RC Boat
Dickie Tuner R/C Boat (Complete Set)
PX-16 Storm Engine Mosquito Racing Boat RC 32" Catamaran R/C Jet NQD Ship
28" Blazingly Fast Victory EP Racing Remote Controlled Boat
28" Yellow Blazingly Fast Avant Courier Radio Remote Control Electric EP RC Racing Speed boat

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Clearwater, Florida: Bright House 2010 Clearwater Super Boat National Championship Festival: AMSOIL #77

2010-10-05T08:03:00.002-04:00

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This thing is absolutely over the top! Can you say 'belly of the beast'? I love it! So wide, so awesome, they gotta ship it leaning up on edge! Did you get down there to the Baystar Village and check it all out? With a little time, you could walk all around the place and check out some serious offshore powerboat racing machinery! I mean, talk about unlimited!! This is AMSOIL #77, a whole lot of serious boat!

I snapped this shot while prowling the Brighthouse 2010 Clearwater Super Boat Championship Festival 'dry pits' last Friday. It was really amazing to wander around all these high performance race boats. It was a very different world. I got lots more pictures from that evening, so check back if you want to see more of them. Scroll down for the last few posts about these boats.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Do you like TRUCKS? Check out We Love Truck Pics! Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Bright House 2010 Clearwater Super Boat National Championship Festival: Dick Landy Racing Team

2010-10-04T21:28:00.005-04:00

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If you had a chance to get down to the Brighthouse 2010 Clearwater Super Boat Championship Festival, and if you were taking pictures and photographs, you might have caught these cool Dodge race cars in your frame. These are two cars of the Dick Landy Racing Team. Dandy Dick, I think I saw on one of the license plates. You might have to click the pic to see it larger if you want to read it.

It was really cool to see these hot rod muscle cars in amongst all the offshore racing powerboats. But maybe hot rod muscle cars is the wrong term? On the Official Dick Landy website, it has good information about him and the cars he built and raced.

They had two more vintage Mopar race monsters there and, of all things, a very hot, sleek, completely different Lamborghini! But that is for a different day. Yes, that's right, you'll just have to come back and see it later! :p

But in the meantime, you might find it interesting to know that Dick Landy was quite a name in Pro Stock Drag Racing. I mean, you can even go to Amazon.com and buy a Photo Archive book with a picture of him racing one of his cars, on the front cover! And to top that off, Hot Wheels made a model of his 1965 Dodge Coronet! Yeah, if you want to check it out, here are the links:

Pro Stock Drag Racing of the 1970s Photo Archive: From Stockers to DoorSlammers
Hot Wheels Dick Landys' '65 Dodge Coronet A/FX Real Riders Dragstrip Demon Extreme Detail 1/64 Scale Collector
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Do you like TRUCKS? Check out We Love Truck Pics! Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Bright House 2010 Clearwater Super Boat National Championship Festival: SuperHeat #52

2010-10-04T08:03:00.000-04:00

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What is it about a Super Boat (Superboat?) that inspires people to ham it up and become super boat show models? I dunno, but I'm pretty sure it's contagious! What a hoot. Everyone was having a good time, checking out these enormous, powerful offshore race boats. It was really amazing. This is SuperHeat #52. What an awesome boat.

This was the scene Friday evening at Coachman Park, on the Clearwater waterfront, where the super boats were staging in their 'dry pits' before race day. Lots of people running around getting things ready, and probably resting from whatever long drive they just completed to get down here for the races. I can't imagine what it takes to get into, and then sustain the effort of, offshore racing. Wow.

The girls and the daddy seemed to be having more fun that some of us. But it was fun watching them 'strike a pose'. Kids, ya gotta love 'em. In case you're wondering, I figure this boat can go about a gazillion miles an hour.

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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Do you like TRUCKS? Check out We Love Truck Pics! Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Bright House 2010 Clearwater Super Boat National Championship Festival: Stihl #13

2010-10-03T11:20:00.006-04:00

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Can you say SUPER BOAT? Can you say STIHL CHAINSAW? Or is it SUPERBOAT? Either way... What a whole lotta boat!!! These things are monstrous! Better Half and I headed down to the Clearwater waterfront Friday evening to check out the staging of the super boats for the Super Boat National Championship race. Again I say "WOW!"

I was thinking, you gotta really want to show off that million dollar boat to have a special trailer that leans it up like that, so we can all see it better. Then I realized that it is up on edge like that because it is so freaking wide that it can't be driven down the road when in the flat position! Wow, again.

Today, the super boats will be tearing around the Gulf of Mexico off Clearwater Beach in the second and final day of racing. I hope you got a chance to check it out. Blogger Dearest (me) was not able to be there. Oh well. I had a great time checking them out in the 'dry pits' before race day. Very cool, and I got a lot closer.

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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Do you like TRUCKS? Check out We Love Truck Pics! Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Almost That Time Again: Turkey Trot!

2010-09-29T19:34:00.002-04:00

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I was reviewing the calendar with my Better Half the other day, looking forward to the various events of the fall season, when I realized that it's coming up on that time of year again, when the streets are full of panting, sweating, gasping, moving masses of people. Turkey Trot! Or to be more specific, the St. Petersburg Times Turkey Trot!

Thusday, November 25, Thanksgiving Day. Be there, or be home resting nicely and chowing down on turkey! :) No, I'm not lazy, not at all!

If you like to listen while you run or jog or walk, have you checked out Audible.com? They have all sorts of audiobooks available that you could be listening to while you run. Click here if you want to check out their Limited Time Offer - Get Your First 3 Months at Audible.com for $7.49/month!.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Do you like TRUCKS? Check out We Love Truck Pics! Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Paddle In The Park Kayak Races

2010-09-27T20:40:00.003-04:00

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Check out the paddling! This is the recent Paddle In The Park event at Clearwater's Crest Lake Park, presented by Skycrest Neighborhood. It was just this past weekend, and included free use of kayaks and paddles and life preservers supplied by Osprey Bay Outdoors. Everyone had a good time, and wore themselves out paddling back and forth across the lake.

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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Do you like TRUCKS? Check out We Love Truck Pics! Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Safety Harbor Field Trip: Third Friday's Street Festival

2010-09-26T22:29:00.003-04:00

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Here is another shot from the Third Fridays Street Festival in Safety Harbor. It was a nice relaxing evening. And all this was going on right down the street from the Safety Harbor Resort and Spa. Fun to be able to get out and enjoy these types of events nearby.

If you live nearby, or if you are headed to this area, make time to stop by and check out Third Fridays in Safety Harbor. Nothing out of this world, or life changing, but a nice relaxing time in a small town atmosphere. Oh, and check out the guy in the picture who seems to be grinning at the camera for me. I never even noticed him until I downloaded the pictures from that night. What a hoot!

____If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Do you like TRUCKS? Check out We Love Truck Pics! Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Field Trip: Popcorn Central Station at Safety Harbor Third Friday Street Festival

2010-09-22T06:29:00.003-04:00

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The Better Half and I went for a stroll last Friday, in Safety Harbor, where they have a monthly festival called Third Fridays. Street vendors, crafts, music and more. It was pretty cool. As I understand it, there is usually live music on the main stage, but this particular Friday was Renaissance Festival Theme Friday.

There were small musical groups and solo acts scattered throughout the area, but the main stage was reserved for some sort of Renaissance act. We didn't see the main act, and I thought it was still a nice evening for wandering and seeing this and that. Of course, having performers roaming the streets in Renaissance costumes added to the festival atmosphere.

I also got to see my friend Charles in action at his popcorn, pretzels, shaved ice, and more booth. It's called Popcorn Central Station. He has told me about all the different flavors of popcorn they have, but it's a very different thing to see it all laid out on the table there. I opted for a giant pretzel though, since it's been so long since I had one. Dribble on a little mustard, and I was eating good!

Look for Charles and Popcorn Central Station if you get down to Safety Harbor's Third Fridays festival. And they will be at the Harbor Sounds Music Festival also, at Safety Harbor Marina on October 1st and 2nd. Tell him you read about him on Clearwater Daily Photo when you see him!

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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Do you like TRUCKS? Check out We Love Truck Pics! Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Crowded BP Station Closed Before The Spill

2010-09-19T18:01:00.006-04:00

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I took this picture last year, during the Turkey Trot that was being held at the nearby Clearwater High School. This BP station was already closed then, with an auction sign at the left of the picture. I snapped it because of the crowds and the writing on the back of the truck at left and the cool way the shadows spread across the bottom of the frame.

The writing on the back window of the truck to the left says, if I read it right, "Don't Fear The Government, Make The Government Fear 'We The People'" and at the very bottom it says "Read The Constitution". It's a different world these days from when the constitution was originally signed. I wonder what those men who first signed the constitution would now think of the democratic republic they sacrificed so much for.

These are the little things that get me thinking. So I am including some pertinent links:

Read the full text of the U.S. Constitution online. Fairly simple site, but with links to specific sections of the Constitution.
Again, read the full text of the U.S. Constitution online. A little bit nicer site, in my opinion, but without the links to the various sections.
Read the full text of the United States Declaration of Independence online. If you've never read it before, it really is very interesting. Required reading, really, as a citizen.

I also found a couple of pdf versions of the U.S. Constitution. If you'd like to have a copy for yourself, click one of the links below:

Download a pdf of the full text of the U.S. Constitution., courtesy of ConstitutionCenter.org. I like the presentation of this version better myself, but it does lack the level of inline detail about subsequent amendments that the one below includes.

Download a pdf of the full text of the U.S. Constitution, courtesy of USConstitution.net. This presentation is more simple, but includes more inline notes about subsequent amendments.

The United States Constitution. High Quality Replica of Historical document. Genuine Parchment & Quill. Framed and Matted
Constitution of the United States Stretched Canvas Poster Print
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Augustino LoPrinzi - Guitar & Ukulele Maker

2010-09-18T15:37:00.006-04:00

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I was touring the Drew St. area in Clearwater one day, when I noticed this storefront shop on the south side of Drew Street. What a surprise to see something as uncommon as a guitar maker shop in this little Clearwater neighborhood! The name on the shop window is Augustino Guitars. Searching on the internet, I found the website for Augustino LoPrinzi Guitars & Ukuleles.

One of the things I love about publishing this blog is the way it brings my attention to things and places and people I might never notice otherwise. I had no idea we have a world class guitar and ukulele maker right here in Clearwater! And I didn't know that there is such a thing as the Tampa Bay Ukulele Society, and that they are having a Tampa Bay Ukulele Getaway soon, November 5-7, 2010! The Getaway is being held at the Lake Tarpon Resort. Very nice!

Yeah, so, who knew?

____If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Florist: Flower Market on Drew Street

2010-09-15T19:45:00.004-04:00

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This is the Flower Market florist shop on Drew Street here in Clearwater. I can't say that I know a lot about them, but I'm glad to see they have a decent website. They are a member of the TeleFlora network. Snapping and posting this picture has me thinking a lot about flowers and what that's all about. I believe in flowers. And by that I mean I believe they are wonderful and beautiful and worthy of your time to plant and grow, and worthy of purchasing for your loved ones.

Even though you might not believe it, your Mom probably really does deserve flowers. As a man, I can tell you that any woman that puts up with us deserves flowers. Sometimes, you should send some to your sister too, if you have a sister, because she's your sister and she'd never expect it and she'd know you really love her. But keep in mind, they don't have to be mind-bending, break the bank arrangements. If you're picking up the flowers or getting them delivered locally, you can talk to the florist, tell them what kind of budget you have, and they will usually bend over backwards to put together something wonderful no matter what the budget.

Oh, and if you talk to the florist and they won't work with you, go somewhere else. I've never had a florist turn me down when I wanted something custom, or when I needed to work within a meager budget. You can't always get roses when you have a small budget, but most people would appreciate daisies, lilies, carnations or just about any flower just as much.

Click the name if you'd like to check out the Flower Market's website. You can actually see their phone number in the photo: 441-1186. And no, this is not a paid feature. It's just me photographing and sharing a picture of their shop.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Sun-N-Fun Festival Disc Golf Tournament At Coachman Park

2010-05-02T20:09:00.005-04:00

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Sunday marked the end of the 2010 Sun-N-Fun Festival Disc Golf Tournament in Clearwater, at Coachman Park. The weather was great for flinging discs, and it seemed like most people had a really good time. I got to learn a little more about disc golf, a rapidly growing sport indeed! This sport is going nuts. Let me say this to folks reading this article, if you don't already have a disc golf course in your town right now, you can just about bet that one is in the works, or will be soon. It's just plain fun, and very, very accessible to anyone who wants to have some fun. And let's not ignore the style factor! Check out the player in the picture above. I love his style, both putting and fashion.

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But don't get me wrong, these folks are also very serious about their game, in a good way. They have some of the funnest gear, like the buggies you see in the photo above. I mean, how many of you would LOVE an excuse to cruise around with that buggy, complete with a Tommy Bahama umbrella? Talk about living large!! I love it!

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Hats off to the various sponsors who came out to support the sport! One of my favorites was Night Flight Disc Golf, owned by my friend Dan. He had a great idea for playing disc golf after dark, followed by more and more ideas, and he is working hard to bring his ideas to everyone who enjoys the sport. Check out his website, NightFlightDiscGolf.com, and you will see what I mean about his ideas. Really cool stuff if you ask me.

There he is, below, standing in his booth with the rest of his gang, Fanchon in the middle, and Chris, seated at right. He's a great guy with some excellent products, so look for him at Disc Golf events around the area here, and ask for his product at your favorite Disc Golf shops.

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Another sponsor of the Sun-N-Fun Tournament was Sun King Disc Sports, recently moved from Brooksville to Sarasota. They have lots of good product for you to check out.

While I was poking about with my camera, I met Shawn Harrigan, who explained to me that this tournament was a part of the statewide Fabulous Florida Disc Golf Tour 2010. Click on over to their website if you'd like to review the results from this past weekend's tournament.

If you got a chance to enjoy the action at Coachman Park this past weekend, be sure to let them know at the Fabulous Florida Tour that you think Tournament Director Curtis Nuttin-But-Chains Minton did a great job. Because he did!

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Oh, and if you are interested in getting involved, but not sure where to start, I would surf on over to the Tampa Bay Disc Sports Club, for a local take on the sport. They have information on local courses, as well as event listings and more.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Night Flight Disc Golf

2010-04-25T21:03:00.008-04:00

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I want to tell you all about two cool new things I have been learning about lately. Disc Golf, and Lighted Disc Golf. Disc Golf is all about throwing discs that are like Frisbee discs on steroids, into baskets made of steel and chains. You play on a course with multiple baskets, much like a regular golf course. I didn't know much about it several months ago, but it turns out there are courses all over the place. There are several in Pinellas County, with at least two listed in Clearwater! That's right, there is one listed at Cliff Stephens Park (21 holes), and another listed at Northeast Coachman Park (24 holes).

Lighted Disc Golf is the same as Disc Golf, but you attach tiny little LED lights to your discs, and insert LED basket lights in the baskets, and play IN THE DARK. Very cool. The man in the picture above is Daniel Schultz. He is the man behind Night Flight Disc Golf. He didn't invent Disc Golf, or the idea of playing in the dark, but he did come up with some really cool lights for your discs and baskets. Click here to visit his website. And if you are interested in checking it all out, this coming weekend, May 1 and 2, there will be a Disc Golf tournament as part of the Fun-N-Sun Festival at Northeast Coachman Park in Clearwater.

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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Cats Are Watching

2009-12-20T21:48:00.003-05:00

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Cats. I love cats. And most that I meet love me too. You can never tell about cats. They are everywhere. And you can't always see them, even though they are there and watching you.

This beauty was just sitting in this alley watching me walk by. I would have almost missed him. But I was in my observant mode, so spotted him. My observant mode is when I am working to see the world through my camera lens. But it doesn't always work, even then. Quite often I come home to download my photos, and only discover some neat view I captured once I am reviewing them enlarged on my monitor.

That's too much thinking for today. Perhaps I will play a video game for a while to clear my head, completely. Empty. Mush.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Thanksgiving Means TURKEY TROT 2009!

2009-11-28T23:00:00.002-05:00

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If you wake up on Thanksgiving morning and see something like the scene above in the street out in front of your house, that means you live in the shadow of The Turkey Trot! That's right, every Thanksgiving, wild hordes descend upon neighborhoods in the vicinity of Clearwater High School, looking for someplace to PARK! Oy, what a mess! I saw the guy in the Porsche Boxster at least three times as he cruised the streets looking for some little slot somewhere to park his ride.

By the time I wandered down the block to Gulf to Bay Boulevard, some of the races had already been run, and I was greeted by a minor mass exodus coming across the street towards me. This, of course, provided ample opportunity to snap some fun shots of the wonderful diversity of runners involved in this event. I was happy to see that my class of runner was represented in the crowds. It was not all just lithe, fit antelopes running this day. :)

You know, Amazon.comhas a LOT of books relating to the subject of running! Here are just a few I found that sound interesting (hover over the link for a product preview):
Born to Run: A Hidden Tribe, Superathletes, and the Greatest Race the World Has Never Seen
Once a Runner: A Novel
ChiRunning: A Revolutionary Approach to Effortless, Injury-Free Running
The Runner's Rule Book: Everything a Runner Needs to Know--And Then Some

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Clearwater, Florida: Achieva Credit Union Corporate Center

2009-11-24T06:24:00.003-05:00

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Do you ever wonder where in the heck these banks and credit unions come from? I mean, I've never heard of Achieva before, and all of a sudden, they have this Corporate Center right here in Clearwater. This is on the corner of Gulf to Bay Boulevard and Highland Ave.

Not a bad looking sign and all that. Their website says they have something like 65,000 members in Pinellas, Pasco and Hernando County. If I read it right. I have to admit, their site loads pretty slowly. Oh well. You can't have everything. Like I said, where do these Credit Unions come from? Hmmm, probably aliens!

HEY! Are you ready for Thanksgiving? I hope so, because it's ALMOST HERE! I'm looking forward to some quality time with the family, including the grandbaby twins! More on that tomorrow.

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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Ironman Pre-Race Photos

2009-11-17T11:26:00.003-05:00

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This must be what the caravans of old were like. Everything needed to keep the wagon train moving had to come along for the trip. At extended stops, entire tent workshops are setup to offer repair and maintenance services. The Ironman event was no different. There were several large tents filled with gear and the men and women who would apply them to the bicycles. Very cool.

And if I haven't said it already, my respect and admiration to the participants of the Ironman Race. They all worked very hard to get here, and to participate. Hats off to them!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: 2009 FOSTER GRANT IRONMAN Pre-Race Photos

2009-11-15T01:00:00.001-05:00

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More great pre-race photos of athletes and preparations for the 2009 Clearwater Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3. Everywhere I went, I saw scenes like this one, with athletes partially or fully dressed in race day garb, talking with people that I imagined might be coaches, friends, supporters, family, or just interested spectators. What with 55 countries represented, you can imagine the wide selection of languages, dialects and accents to be heard as I wondered about. It was deliciously worldly and diverse.

And speaking of delicious and diverse... if you click on the photo above, of the colorful shoes on their feet, you will see something that made me laugh out loud. The man on the left is wearing very special socks indeed. The writing says "save the ta-tas"!!! It's true! Click on the picture and read it for yourself if you don't believe me. Well, I knew from the ribbon that it had to be related to some sort of breast cancer awareness campaign. And of course it is. As soon as I mentioned it to some friends, they told me all about it, and that I was, again, late to the game. Well, I know SOME of you out there might not know about it, so I am telling you now, and because I think it's really cool, I am including a link to the website. SO click this link if you are interested in checking out the Save The Ta-Tas website.

Click this link to read about the 2009 Clearwater Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 on their website.

Oh, and did I mention that the 2009 FOSTER GRANT IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 70.3 was presented by Ford. Yup, they had quite an impressive display down there at Pier 60. They had numerous cars on display, including the Taurus SHO, the Escape hybrid, and the sweet looking Ford Flex pictured below. That baby got back, eh? Oh yeah. It might seem a little boxy, but I think it's kind of cool looking. This one certainly caught my eye! According to the Edmunds.com website, the MSRP starts at $28,550. Click this link if you want to check out the 2010 Ford Flex on the Ford website. If you click this link, you can read the Edmunds.com review of the 2010 Ford Flex.

I don't want to bore you... but I do lots of pictures to share... so come back tomorrow and I will share at least a few more Clearwater Beach Ironman photos.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater Beach, Florida: 2009 FOSTER GRANT IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 70.3

2009-11-14T01:00:00.001-05:00

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Important Notice To Athletes: Click this link to read about the relocation of swim for Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3.

It's back! The 2009 FOSTER GRANT IRONMAN WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP 70.3 takes place today, November 14th, presented by Ford. Did you know it was coming? Did you see the barricades lying in the medians waiting to be erected for today? Is your neighborhood one of those getting cutoff for a while?

Think about it: 1,650 athletes; 55 countries represented; ages from 18 to 79 in the field. And not just one 79 year old, but 3! First they will swim 1.2 miles, then ride their bicycles 56 miles, and then run 13.1 miles! All in one day!! Click this link to read about the race on the FOSTER GRANT IRONMAN website.

I had the good fortune to be down on Clearwater Beach this past Thursday as athletes began to appear in droves. In various stages of preparation, including check-in, bicycle claim from the transport service, and practice. Yes, lots of them, running, jogging, cycling all over the place. And good for them too! The only thing I did not see was any of them swimming. Their might have been some swimming, but it was really windy and cold. And in at least one area, I notice the life guards had the red "No Swim" flags out. Yikes. This probably explains why the swim course has been changed. See the link above if you are curious.

I watched the various athletes checking in at various stations around the event area, and I could not help but wonder what it must be like to be part of something so very BIG. Something of a scope so much larger than oneself. Oh my.

So I have lots of pictures to share... come back tomorrow and the next day for more and more Clearwater Beach Ironman photos.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater Florida: The Ironman Cometh... With Photos

2009-11-13T08:50:00.001-05:00

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It's that time again! And wow, are things getting busy out on Clearwater Beach! I was having a photo walkabout out there yesterday, and the place was HOPPING! If you like to get in the mix of it all, and see all the triathletes getting ready for race day, get on down there. If you don't like crowds, and chaos, and mayhem, stay home! :) I am not able to post a picture from my walkabout yet, so today's picture is from a prior event. This man is quite an inspiration! Click this link to see previous Foster Grant Ironman photos posted on this blog.

Click the link to visit the Foster Grant Ironman website. Click this link for traffic information. Click this one to go straight to the course maps.

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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Sam Walton, Where Are You? WalMart Sign

2009-08-27T05:03:00.000-04:00

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Who knew? I mean, who knew Sam Walton would build a multi-billion dollar empire with his low priced stores? How many of us wish we had thought of it ourselves?

Meanwhile, the store that gives so many people a chance to do more with their meager budgets, also strikes fear and resentment into the heart of small towns and WalMart's competitors. Where are we now?
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: US Hwy 19 Overpass: Got Structure? How About Infrastructure?

2009-08-26T05:03:00.000-04:00

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Wow! I mean, WOW! That is some serious structure there. Talk about a mountain of steel. And we built that, we humans.

This is one of the monstrous, somewhat new overpasses they have sprinkled up and down US Hwy 19 in Clearwater, Florida. Although I call them monstrous, I cannot deny the glee with which I drive over them, knowing they let me skip about 6 different traffic-laden intersections, and shorten my trip by 15 minutes or more!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Pretty Green Tree Seeds (Cones?) (Cypress?)

2009-08-25T21:00:00.002-04:00

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Of all places to find some beautiful signs of life and growth... in a small pond next to the sprawling Walmart parking lot!

And it actually seems like a drainage, storm water control sort of pond to boot! I love these little signs that Mother Nature has everywhere. To me, they seem to say "Just fall asleep for a little while, puny humans, and I will reclaim what is mine."
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Got Gas? Infrastructure Says Yes

2009-04-01T05:04:00.002-04:00

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Yes, yes, it's actually a FRESH POST! OMG! Just when you thought it was gone for good... but sorry, no promises as to getting back to a totally daily schedule. But I do still enjoy this, and hope to increase the frequency gradually until I can get back to daily or near daily. And no, this is not an April Fool's joke! (But let me tell you, I can BARELY remember how to do this!)

And let me tell you, I can NOT get enough of snapping these old metal caps and grates etc. If you totally hate pictures of these things, you are going to hate me, 'cuz I snap 'em when I see 'em.

Have a great day, and try to make someone smile today.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Motorcycle, No Helmet, Street Fighter?

2009-01-27T05:04:00.001-05:00

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Okay, so maybe a scooter just doesn't have enough power, enough cool, to carry you around town and to work and back. So what about a motorcycle? And what kind? Well we all know the Harley Davidson style cruisers are not exactly budget rides. So what else? The old sport bikes styles are just about gone, as in the KZ400 I had as a first bike, or the Honda Nighthawk 750 that was my second bike. Now I am learning that these dirt-bike-slash-street-bike rides are relatively inexpensive and so showing up more and more.

A friend referred to them as "street fighters" and told me they are popular in Europe due to their nimble nature, fuel efficiency, and low purchase price relative to full blown motorcycles. Cool. I never really had much interest in this style of bike, but I find myself looking at them more and more and wondering if this is what I should be looking at for a next bike. Hmmmm

And hey, show of hands... this guy might not be the coolest guy on the street, but most people probably think he looks cooler than the young lady on the scooter in the previous post. Do I care that much about cool? No, but I do care a lot about having the power to get out from under the bumper of the morons who will run you over if you are not looking out for them! Of course, it's always a good idea to wear a helmet.

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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Scooter Girl Saving Gas

2009-01-23T05:04:00.001-05:00

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So, how much time have YOU spent trying to decide if you could really feel cool riding a scooter? Let's face it, 50 miles per gallon, or better... Yeah, it gets tempting.

But then, sometimes they just don't look like they can get you out of the way in time. Don't get me wrong, they make a lot of sense in general. I still end up thinking motorcycle when I think about it for any length of time. Oh well.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Cleveland Street Streetscapes: Mr. Submarine, Clearwater Squadron

2009-01-09T05:04:00.000-05:00

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More cruising and snapping on Cleveland Street while headed toward the downtown area. Good old Mr. Submarine sandwich shop. They have gyros too!

And behind Mr. Submarine is the Clearwater Squadron, of the United States Power Squadrons. Whatever that is! If you're curious, like I was, just click on the name. I stuck the link in there so you don't even have to Google it!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Clearwater People Walking Down The Sidewalk

2009-01-08T18:12:00.003-05:00

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I had occasion to head downtown not too terribly long ago. I think it was Christmas Under The Oaks I was headed to. So I was happily snapping pictures of everything and everyone while DW drove. It was a beautiful day. Typical Clearwater.

This shot, of these folks walking down the sidewalk, was taken at the corner of Cleveland St. and N. Lady Mary Dr. It's nice that the weather here is usually okay for walking. But color me lazy, I'm happy to take my car most of the time.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Wine And More Superstore, Or Some Such Nonsense, Cart Corral

2008-12-23T21:09:00.002-05:00

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Wow, now isn't that just the kind of picture that needs to be out here on the internet? I mean, after all, somewhere in the world, there are people who have never seen the cute little structures used to corral shopping carts when people have been booze shopping. Cool, eh?

HEY! If this looks like fun, and if you love Clearwater, how would you like to become a contributing member of this blog? Yeah? Really? COOL! Leave me a comment with contact information, or find my email on this blog and write me about it.

Susan, I got your phone number, but I am stinking busy, so I hope it can wait until after the holidays. LH and CC, yeah, crazy of me thinking I would be able to manage getting in touch with you two, what with everything else going on. So please be patient and I will try to make contact after the holidays. Feel free to be taking pictures in the meantime.

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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Cleveland Street District

2008-11-30T05:04:00.000-05:00

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This is the edge of the Cleveland Street District, when approached from the East. This is an area where the City of Clearwater has put a lot of money into updating and modernizing the neighborhood. Why? Because people long since decided they don't want to go there anymore. But the city doesn't want to leave the area just to the Sky-N-Flaggelists, so they put more money into the place.

I don't know how else to explain it. You almost have to drive through this area to get to the beach. But there is not much else there that people seem to want to check out. I am sure I must be wrong... Maybe somebody out there can set me straight on this one?
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Signs Of Fire Tragedy

2008-11-17T05:04:00.000-05:00

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Even in a quiet, welcoming neighborhood in Clearwater, tragedy comes calling. Nobody died in this fire. A family lost their home. Memories, gone. A warm place to rest at night, gone. I am sure they are not on the street tonight, but what have they lost? My heart goes out to this family.

If that were not enough, what does it say about life that they had to put a sign out front to keep people out? That seems sad, but we know it's the way life is these days. I guess that's part of what they call the human condition.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Flip Flopz Store: You Might Be In Florida If...

2008-11-12T05:04:00.000-05:00

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You might be in Clearwater, Florida if... you come across a store that SPECIALIZES in Flip Flopz, and is NOT on the beach! Yup, that's just the kind of place Clearwater, Florida is. You can get as dressy as you want here, and the Flip Flops will almost always fit in. This store is in the Courtyard@Countryside plaza, across from Westfield ShoppingTown Countryside. (That's Countryside Mall)

I, for one, can remember several years in my youth when I don't think I wore anything BUT 'flops. And that was just fine, as I recall. It kept life from getting too terribly serious. Wearing 'flops has a tendency to keep your feet 'in the sand' as it were. These days, that can be a good thing.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: INSPIRATION: Dominique Benassi of France: Ironman World Championship 70.3

2008-11-11T05:04:00.000-05:00

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This is Dominique Benassi of Bastia, France. This, and more, I learned from the Foster Grant Ironman World Championship 70.3 website. He is 47, an Electrician. As you may have noticed, he has only one leg. He finished the Ironman, swimming 1.2 miles, biking 56 miles, and running 13.1 miles, with a rank of 586 out of 1,254.

I don't know much more about him, but this is all I need to know to be COMPLETELY INSPIRED! I didn't expect that when I walked, with my two good legs, down the street to stand, with my two good legs, and watch the athletes ride by on their bicycles. I never expected to see a man with only one leg competing in one of the hardest races on this planet. Incredible! My hat is off to Dominique Benassi.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Young Lady On Break Outside Kohl's

2008-11-06T05:04:00.000-05:00

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We are all, after all, just trying to get along in this world without too terribly much heartache and struggle. But struggle we must, for that is the way life is. We were not born with silver spoons in our mouths, most of us.

BUT that does not keep us from smiling. Like this nice young lady I met while she was taking a break outside the Kohl's store in Clearwater. She had a friendly smile as we greeted each other, she with some time off her feet, I with camera in hand on photo safari in the plaza. We can make our way through life with a smile or a frown. It is always so much nicer to meet the people who choose to smile. :)

This Kohl's is in the plaza called Courtyard at Countryside. It's on SR 580, or Main Street, just across from Countryside Mall (aka Westfield ShoppingTown Countryside).
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Courtyard At Countryside: Panera Bread

2008-11-05T05:04:00.001-05:00

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Do you Panera? Many people do! Let's face it, bread is GOOOOOD! Me? I love bread. It loves me. Some of my oldest friends are bread. You can see it hanging around... my waist. :)

This is the Panera Bread shop at the Courtyard at Countryside shops. It looks great from the outside, and with all that bread... looks great inside too! This shop, by the way, is in the plaza north of 580 (Main St.) across from Countryside Mall (Westfield ShoppingTown Countryside). It's the same plaza where you will find Kohl's, Total Wine, FedEx and more.

*I write this in the evening on Election Day, while I listen to the results... I hope that, come Wednesday, we are waking to a refreshed America where we can all work together to fix the problems that are facing our great nation.*
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: A Man's Got To Do What A Man's Got To Do!

2008-11-04T05:04:00.000-05:00

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Truly, a man's got to do what a man's go to do. That, in my opinion, is the difference between a boy and a man... A man does what must be done, WHEN it must be done. If you are wondering how do you know you are doing this, I can tell you this. More than likely, when you are doing something you really don't want to do, or that you would rather do later, but you are doing it just then because you know you should. THEN you are doing what a MAN does!

Meanwhile, I don't know if this is a man or a boy, but it looks like he is learning HOW to be a man, either way. Of course, being a Man means a lot more than just this. But it's a big part of it. And if you take the inverse into account, that being a man involves NOT doing what you want to do, or NOT doing something WHEN you want to, because you know you should not, then that covers a lot of it if you ask me. :)

PS. Today is ELECTION DAY! You must vote to be counted in this one. Make your voice heard without even speaking: Vote. If you are voting for my guy, GET OUT THERE AND VOTE. If you are voting for the other guy, relax, we'll take care of it. No need to get out there and stand in line just for him. :)

PPS. Hi Maggie. Thanks for writing! :D
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Technical Difficulties

2008-10-31T13:44:00.000-04:00

Due to technical difficulties, I will not be able to post for a few days. I apologize for any disappointment this may cause. Please feel free to enjoy the archives in the meantime (scroll down, on the right side of the page). I look forward to posting again within the next few days. Please check back.

Wayne

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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Albertsons Has Shopping Carts Of Blue

2008-10-29T05:04:00.003-04:00

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How about that whole shopping cart thing, anyway? Ever wonder how much it has contributed to hyper-consumerism?
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Nothing Lasts Forever

2008-10-27T05:04:00.000-04:00

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Rust is a beautiful, wonderful, pain in the ass. It is almost as inevitable as time itself. I hate it on my cars or tools and all, but I love to see it out there in the world, attacking our vain attempts at permanence. It gives me hope that so many of the things we (mankind) have done wrong on this planet might one day be overcome by nature.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Poverty Lives Everywhere: Even In Paradise

2008-10-26T05:04:00.000-04:00

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Even here, in Paradise, there is poverty, and there are people living on the streets. People... human beings. What do we do? How do we end it? What demons haunt them, keep them from making the turnaround? How often must they move from place to place to keep the Police happy? Where should they go? What should be done about them? Can we eliminate poverty in our lifetimes? Who are they?

"... The concrete was hard. Really hard. But he didn't mind that so much. He had become accustomed to it, actually. No, it was the damned bugs that really annoyed him. But then, even they would not keep him from sleeping. No, he was too tired to stay up and swat at mosquitoes. He marveled that he could keep moving every day with as little food and rest that he managed to get for himself.

Another bitter day of looking at all the prosperity, the good luck, that seemed to surround him without ever quite touching him. He could smell it, he thought, it is so close. Look there, look at that car, it must have cost a bundle! How many fresh hot meals would that get me, he wondered. How many blankets? Hell, how many nights in a real room with a real bed? The pain started to come back, and his mind raced to back away before it got to hurting too much.

Bradford, he remembered. Yes, my mother used to call me Bradford. This was his safe place... in his mind. My name is Bradford. My name is Bradford. I had a mother and I had a father. My brother's name is Charles. My sister's name is Sabrina. I have a niece. They love me. I was in the army. I was a fireman once... My name is Bradford..."
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Drew St. Small Town Street Scene

2008-10-25T05:04:00.000-04:00

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A bright and shiny day in Clearwater, Florida. You can almost feel the warm sunshine on your face, as you walk happily down the street. The day is full of potential, and there seems to be no stopping your soaring spirit. Life is good.

"... Peter's eyes danced about him like a couple of out of control fairies. There seemed to be so much to see that he was dizzy. The world seemed so full of potential today. Everywhere he looked was the look of prosperity. There was success all around him.

He shuddered in anticipation of getting a foothold in this new town. Thoughts of all the various businesses he might enjoy opening filled his mind. Slowly he continued to wander down the street, taking in all the various shops, thinking of how he would do this different than that one, or that better than this one.

As he walked, he noticed a Clearwater Police cruiser approaching. The officer was, of course, just cruising down the street. But Peter's face clouded over for a moment as the car came near. His smile faded and his expression became one of caution and secrecy. Nobody was near to notice this transformation, and seconds after the cruiser had past, Peter was back to smiling and dreaming his big dreams..."
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Rear View Sunrise Commute

2008-10-24T05:04:00.001-04:00

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Cruising down the street on the commute to work. Checking the rear view for the Po-Po, and there she is, Mother Sunshine, rising up from the ashes of yesterday.

"... Jimmy smiled as he watched the sun coming up behind him. It felt so good to him to have left yesterday behind. As he drove, and the miles drifted into his past, so did all the bad feelings, all the pain and sorrow. He felt free. He felt more free than he could ever remember feeling in his life.

He hummed a happy tune while he switched stations on the radio, looking for some music to match his mood. At the next light, after he found a station to his liking, he glanced at the duffle bag on the seat next to him. Grinning again, he reached inside and chuckled as his hand closed around the..."
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Trash, Trash, Trash, LitterBugs Suck

2008-10-22T05:04:00.000-04:00

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"... Marcus watched in silence from this hiding place. It was her, he was certain now, he could see her face clearly, and it was the same woman he had seen here three times before. The anger boiled up in him once again, as it did every time he saw them in action. Then he forced himself to calm down. He was a Team Leader, after all, he had responsibilities, he had to LEAD. And so he would.

As the woman turned and headed back to her home up the street, he signaled to his two patrolmen hiding, like him, in the thick shrubbery at the rear of the park. They advanced silently, convening in the space the woman had most recently vacated. 'Alright guys,' he said, 'you know the drill. Secure the video evidence, collect the physical evidence, and then meet me two houses down from the subject's home.'

As they started bagging the evidence, Marcus could feel the anger rising in him again. But then he had a thought. This was a thought he had often. He thought to himself what a shock it would be for the woman, when she looked in the mirror tomorrow morning, and saw tattooed across her forehead the word 'LITTERBUG'..."
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: PSTA Bus Services Will Get You Around

2008-10-21T05:04:00.000-04:00

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Story time.

Janice boarded the bus and plopped heavily into the first empty seat she saw. She was too tired to care if it was the best seat on the bus, or away from the weirdos, or whatever. She just needed to sit down, and she needed a few minutes to think. If nothing else, that was one thing the bus would be good for, some time to think without having to do anything else.

She saw the PSTA sign at the front of the bus and wondered if that really stood for People Seldom Turnout Alright. It wasn't totally fair, of course. It could be argued that she did, in fact, bear some responsibility for the mess she was in today. But she was not in the mood to accept that responsibility. So she turned it all back on Mark, and blamed it on him.

But blaming him, unfortunately, would not solve the problem. No matter who was to blame, she still had to figure out what to do next. She thought of her mother again, but it did not feel good. The image of her mother's 'disapproving' look shut down that avenue of opportunity pretty quick. Then she thought of her friend Alison. She was working at the Carson Clinic today, and she might be able to help her figure this mess out!

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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Private Property No Trespassing Sign

2008-10-20T06:03:00.000-04:00

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It's not the most welcoming sign you will ever see. And it is a sad commentary that we even have to put them up. In my twisted mind, if it's not your property, you don't go on it without permission. No sign needed. Oh well.

Speaking of twisted minds and Outrageous Lies:

"Today NASA released startling news concerning the new Ibex Spacecraft (Interstellar Boundary Explorer). According to photography released from NASA, taken by the Ibex, there is alien life in outer space, and they don't want us out there!" Experts theorize that the alien beings have been monitoring our transmission of digital imagery and realized that the classic Private Property sign might be the best way to keep us out of the Delta Quadrant. In classic form, the Ibex ignored the posted No Trespassing message, and headed on into the Quadrant.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Giant United States Flag

2008-10-19T06:03:00.002-04:00

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Now that is one PROUD flag of the United States! What is it about car dealerships that they have such HUGE flags? I don't know, but I do enjoy seeing them blowing in the breeze.

Don't forget: The Clearwater Jazz Holiday ends today in Coachman Park! Click here for the complete entertainment schedule.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Mirage Restaurant With Buffet And BELLY DANCING

2008-10-18T06:03:00.001-04:00

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The Mirage Restaurant is on Gulf To Bay Boulevard in Clearwater. I have yet to get inside the place, but I gotta tell you... that whole Belly Dancer thing really calls to me! :) And I have the worst urge to make a joke about the healthy belly dancing buffet... but I try to keep this blog G or PG rated. So I have it on my ongoing list to try to get there when they are belly dancing and see about some pictures for you!

Don't forget: The Clearwater Jazz Holiday continues today in Coachman Park! In fact, Mercedes-Benz welcomes Big Bad Voodoo Daddy tonight at 9:15! Click here for the complete entertainment schedule.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Got Bike? Might Want To Get One

2008-10-17T06:03:00.000-04:00

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With the recent lull in gas price acceleration, I saw a low of $3.19 today, I am sure people are forgetting all about bicycles. But let's face it, any reduction in the price of gas at the pump is TEMPORARY! So, take that money you get to save while the price is down, and save it for some ALTERNATIVE TRANSPORTATION. :)

In the meantime, and speaking of saving money... The Clearwater Jazz Holiday, at Coachman Park, is FREE! Did you see Tony Bennett last night? No, I didn't get to see him either. But I bet it was pretty cool. And there's lots more great music coming. Check out the entertainment schedule.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Signs Of The Times: Free Rent*

2008-10-16T06:03:00.001-04:00

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It's the times we are in, I suppose. Yes, free rent, but not without a catch*! The infamous asterisk strikes again!

Don't forget: The Clearwater Jazz Holiday starts today in Coachman Park! In fact, Tony Bennett appears this evening at 8:30pm, presented by WSJT 94.1! Click here for the complete entertainment schedule.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: I Drive Thru, Do You?

2008-10-15T06:03:00.002-04:00

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The ubiquitous drive thru... where would we be without them?

HEY! Don't forget: The Clearwater Jazz Holiday starts tomorrow in Coachman Park! In fact, Tony Bennett appears tomorrow evening at 8:30pm, presented by WSJT 94.1! Click here for the complete entertainment schedule.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: The Standard And The Alternate

2008-10-11T10:39:00.002-04:00

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There you have it, the old standard and the new standard. The glory days of internally combusted fossil fuels will slowly fade under the demand for alternative transportation. Whether it will mostly be human powered, or if we will find the magic formula, is unknown.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Kmart Turned Sears Essentials

2008-10-10T07:25:00.001-04:00

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This is what a Kmart looks like when it turns into a Sears Essentials store.

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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Big Frog Gots Good Big Sign

2008-10-09T06:03:00.000-04:00

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I honestly don't know a thing about this company. Well, except what they say on their sign. And that's what this is all about...

Their sign worked on me! It got my attention, and kept it long enough for me to take a picture to share with you all. It doesn't hurt that I think frogs are neat.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Clearwater Police Cruiser

2008-10-08T05:04:00.000-04:00

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Uh-oh! Here come the po-po, I hope I'm not speeding! Oh wait, I'm not even in my car! Hahahahahaha.

There be one of Clearwater's Finest, cruising the streets to keep us all safe. No matter what you want to say about cops, the police, I gotta give them credit for the job they do. I would not want to do it.

And if you are wondering, that photograph was snapped at the corner of Drew and Arcturas.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Goodwill Trailer In Gulf To Bay Parking Lot

2008-10-07T05:04:00.000-04:00

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Passing through the Sears Essentials parking lot on Gulf to Bay Boulevard, I snapped this shot of an open Goodwill trailer. The Sears Essentials used to be Kmart.

I thought it was interesting to see the desk area and clock they have setup just inside the opening at the back. You can see it better if you click on it to make it larger. Do you give to Goodwill?
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Motorcycle Madness For All Ages

2008-10-06T06:37:00.003-04:00

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Ya know, it seems to me that there is a generation that grew up with motorcycles, and they just refuse to part with them. Personally, I think that's great. My father is out there somewhere riding his bike, and he will be until he can't, I'm sure. I say good for him! I do wish he would wear a helmet though.

These days, I wish I hadn't sold the wonderful motorcycle I had back in the day. Oh well. I guess I will just have to keep my eyes out for a great deal on one. Have you been riding lately?
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Clearwater Schwinn Has Moved To The Trail

2008-10-04T05:04:00.000-04:00

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When I first saw this shop the other day, I was amazed that a bicycle shop would be forced to close down at a time when gas is threatening to relocate to the $5 neighborhood. But then I realized the signs on the window say they have moved (443-1500).

So I will have to keep an eye out for them the next time I am near the trail. Perhaps there will be some worthy pictures in the area. Oh, and of course, the man in the picture reminds us all... walking is free.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Bicycles, Get Used To Seeing More Of Them!

2008-10-03T05:04:00.000-04:00

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Wow, even though it has cooled off just a SMIDGEN lately, it still seems a bit warm for pants on a bicycle. But that didn't stop this guy from getting where he needs to be. Kudos to him!

I have to believe that as gasoline, and petroleum and oil, and, therefore, LIFE, get more and more expensive, we will see more and more people opting out of fuel hungry cars and onto bicycles. In some ways, Clearwater, Florida, is a pretty good place for cycling. But in other ways... not so much. Like, being soaking wet with sweat by the time you get to work.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Warehouse Storage Units For Rent

2008-10-02T05:04:00.000-04:00

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Where do you keep YOUR life?

Are you one of the millions of people in this country who seem to need to rent storage space outside of the home, just to store all the stuff that we can't seem to rid ourselves of? They come in all sorts of configurations: Gated and walled, climate controlled, open access like this one, completely contained within a larger secured building, in the middle of a field, and so on and so on!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: What We Drive: Alpha Dumpsters

2008-10-01T05:04:00.000-04:00

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Wow, now that is a whole lot of trash hauling going on there! Need a dumpster? Ever heard of these guys? Why not??

How can you miss that thing going down the road? And there is a reason that thing is painted Home Depot orange... you can rent these through your local Home Depot too! Hmmm, which came first, the Alpha Dumpster, or the Home Depot? And if you are curious, the truck is made by Sterling.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport

2008-09-28T05:04:00.000-04:00

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Hmmm, there is a Saint hiding behind the palm tree on the left.

Honest! It's St. Petersburg Clearwater International Airport.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Roof Work

2008-09-27T05:04:00.000-04:00

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Clearwater, Florida: Chautauqua Park South: Dinosaur Knuckle Bone?

2008-09-25T05:04:00.000-04:00

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I noticed this amongst the pine needles as I was walking on the Chautauqua Park South nature trail. If you ask me, it looks like a BONE!

I'm thinking maybe some sort of dinosaur knuckle bone, maybe. Of course, I've been wrong about these things before. :}
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Modern Stylish SMART Water Fountain

2008-09-24T05:04:00.000-04:00

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Oh, and it's GREEN too! :)

But really, the smart part is the second outlet down low on the side of the fountain. That makes it easy to rinse your feet if need be, or more importantly, provide some much needed water for your dog on a hot Florida day! So the bonus round goes to whomever decided to spend the extra bucks for a water fountain designed so well.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Nature Trail: Squirrel's View Of Pine Cone

2008-09-23T05:04:00.002-04:00

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If you remember to look down while walking in the woods, you might come across something like this. This is what a pine cone looks like after a squirrel has had his way with it. Yeah, bet you would never have guessed they come apart so completely!

I'm not sure I would have suspected a squirrel of this if I had not seen them do it before. Wasn't it Eule Gibbons who had that tag line: "Hi, I'm Eule Gibbons, ever eat a pine cone?" My mother was into all natural food at the time, and we kids were not big fans of Eule Gibbons, so we would mock him by saying: "Hi, I'm Eule Gibbons, ever eat a picnic table?" I'm sure he deserved more respect than that, but hey, we were kids.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

News Flash: Dunedin, Florida: Barack Obama To Hold Public Rally In Dunedin!

2008-09-22T19:53:00.003-04:00

That's right, according to William March of TBO.com, Barack Obama is coming to Pinellas County:

"Democratic presidential nominee Sen. Barack Obama will hold a public rally in Dunedin on Wednesday while he’s here preparing for the first presidential debate.

Doors will open for the rally at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday at Knology Park.

Tickets are not required, but attendees are urged to RSVP at Obama’s Florida campaign Web site, www.fl.barackobama.com.

Obama is expected to be in the area from Tuesday through Thursday preparing for his debate with Republican Sen. John McCain on Friday in Mississippi."

Posted 9/21, updated 9/22. Click here to read the original post.

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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Chautauqua Park South Nature Trail Carpet

2008-09-22T05:04:00.000-04:00

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It was while I was snapping that shot of the Camp Soule Tower (which is visible in the background of this shot too), that I noticed this beautiful, lush, green 'carpet' covering the floor of this small forest. Can you say WOW?

If they could figure out how to do this in my home, I would sign up in a heartbeat.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Boy Scouts Of America: Camp Soule Tower

2008-09-21T05:04:00.000-04:00

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Speaking of Camp Soule, did I mention I got a snap of the tower from the nature trail I was on? Oh yeah... there, see it, just across the water. I guess it is there to give them a place from which to keep an eye on boating Boy Scouts. Either way, it's pretty cool, and it makes me want to ask them if I can take some pictures from up there.

No, it's not like you would see a whole lot more, but I always enjoy and opportunity to force a new perspective on myself and my lens. Oh, and I bet that would be a neat place to sleep over. With some night vision goggles you would see all sorts of neat wildlife!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Boy Scouts Of America: Camp Soule

2008-09-20T05:04:00.000-04:00

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Talk about bringing back memories. I came up this road looking for a city park, and there is good 'ole Camp Soule! I have been a camper there years ago, and I had not thought of the place in a long time. This is a Boy Scouts of America facility. It is actually owned by the local council, West Central Florida Council.

This is one place I will have to see about getting into so I can take some pictures for the blog here. It might be fun to show you around a little bit. :) Check out the map on their website if you like, it will give you an idea of how the place is laid out, on the shores of Lake Chautauqua.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Oh, And Then It Rained

2008-09-19T05:04:00.000-04:00

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If you were looking at the playground in yesterday's post, and thinking it looks a little deserted, it probably has something to do with the fact that everyone else could see that it was going to rain. Oh, and then it rained.

I was about a hundred yards from my vehicle when it started to sprinkle. I started walking back, and then it started to pour! I was happy to have remembered my camera rain coat when I left on photo safari that day. I'm not into carrying umbrellas or rain coats, but I do carry a plastic bag if it looks like rain. I don't care too much if I get wet, but NOT THE CAMERA! :)

How many words can you make out of the letters in THUNDERSTORM? End, ends (remember, always go for the plurals), send, sent, sender, sunder, set...
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Mini Park With Playground

2008-09-18T05:04:00.000-04:00

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This playground is located in a little 'mini-park' just across from where I found the entrance to the Chautauqua Park South nature trail. In all honesty, I still do not know whether it is referred to as Chautauqua Park South or if the park has a different name. But it's a really nice little playground. Yeah, it made me want to climb!

There is also a field there for batting practice or flying kites, and a paved path around the whole thing for walking or jogging, and a 'skating oval' too. Oh, and tennis courts. Not too shabby for a minor park tucked away in the back of a neighborhood.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Chautauqua Park South: Road At The End

2008-09-17T05:04:00.000-04:00

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When I had got all the way through to the end of the hiking trail at Chautauqua Park South, I had come to another somewhat unofficial entrance to the park, where the canoe and kayak launches are. This is the road that winds away from that entrance. Not too terribly significant you say? Well the thing is... there are VERY FEW roads around here that look the least bit like this...

This road looks as though it winds through some rural part of the South somewhere about a thousand miles away from Clearwater. So it is no surprise that I stopped and stared at this little stretch of road for a few minutes... and then took a bunch of pictures... 'cuz that's what I do!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Chautauqua Park South Kayak Canoe Launch

2008-09-16T05:04:00.001-04:00

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If you walk just a little further on from the view in yesterday's post, you come to another similar point of access to Lake Chautauqua. This is where, when I walked over to the nearby sign, I learned that these are launching areas for kayaks and canoes only. Chautauqua Park South.

No signs of alligators at all. Although, to be honest, I am sure there are some living in this lake. I am told that alligators rarely interact with people in kayaks or canoes. I'm told that it is simply a matter of not getting between them and their nests. So, if you see one near the shoreline, don't try to paddle between the gator and the shore, where they may have a nest. But I am NOT an authority on the subject, so don't take my word for it!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Chautauqua Park South Hiking Nature Trail 5

2008-09-15T05:04:00.000-04:00

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After just a few minutes, you will come to a little bit of a clearing. Then when you look North, you see Chautauqua Lake spreading out before you. Not a giant, illustrious lake. But a nice, calm puddle of water supporting lots and lots of wildlife.

I was surprised to see a channel through the grasses out to the lake. I thought it looked like a good place to launch a canoe or a kayak. But then, maybe that's where a GIANT alligator drags himself in and out of the lake? More on that later. Chautauqua Park South.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Chautauqua Park South Hiking Nature Trail 4

2008-09-14T05:04:00.000-04:00

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Did I mention the beautiful trail? Yeah, it really is pretty nice in there. And I'm willing to bet that if a person were to walk there three or four times in one month, they would probably see some interesting wildlife. There were noisy scurryings in the bushes, and I saw the sign of a large bird perching on a branch over the trail.

I don't know just when, but I will definitely get back to Chautauqua Park South to see what is what. Of course, I will have my camera with me, because you just never know what you might see! Come on back and check it out when you get tired of sitting in that office, or standing in line at the store, or stuck in traffic. :D
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Chautauqua Park South Hiking Nature Trail 3

2008-09-13T05:04:00.000-04:00

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So, once I got past the strange device hanging on a tree, making sure it was not recording my social security number, or shooting me with lasers, I entered onto this beautiful path.

It was quiet, and it was mostly natural. What a treat. So quiet. The woods and brush on either side are not deep, there is no denying there is a lake about 50 yards to the right, and a neighborhood about 50 yards to the left. But it still feels good, it feels like you are in the woods instead of in some office or store somewhere. Works for me. Chautauqua Park South.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Chautauqua Park South Hiking Nature Trail

2008-09-12T06:44:00.000-04:00

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So... I have found this little, very short as it turns out, trail on the southernmost shore of Lake Chautauqua. As I pass the sign I posted yesterday, the first thing I notice is this strange mechanism hanging on a tree. I have NO idea what it is. I can tell you though, it reminds of the rig in E.T.

I looked around a bit, but I didn't see any aliens. There is a small label on it that looks like it used to say Boy Scouts. Maybe some sort of project they were doing for a merit badge? I hope to get in touch with someone at the Boy Scout camp next door, Camp Soule, to take pictures, and maybe they can tell me what that thing is!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Hunting Down The Parks: Chautauqua Park South

2008-09-10T19:51:00.000-04:00

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Many things have come out of my publishing of this blog. One of these is a desire and inspiration to learn more about Clearwater, and to find more of her parks. I find myself wanting to find more places that I can photograph and say "Look, it's not ALL concrete!" Last night I found another of those places; Chautauqua Park South.

This park is located on the southern edge of Chautauqua Lake. No surprise there, eh? But as I headed over there, knowing I was to take Soule Rd. north from Sunset Pt. Rd., I kept thinking to myself, "isn't that where Camp Soule is?" Campe Soule is a Boy Scout Camp that I went to as a member of a local Explorer Scouts post.

Long story short, I got to the northern end of Soule Rd., and there indeed was a Boy Scout camp. THE Boy Scout Camp: Camp Soule. Well, that was certainly not what I was looking for. And there were No Trespassing signs all over the gate.

Just as I was about to leave, I saw this sign tucked into the bushes on the side of the road. There was a little sliver of woodland along the shore of the lake that was neither scout camp, nor part of the neighboring development. So I headed into the brush with my camera in hand!

How do you like the spelling on that sign?
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Two Bridges View Of Downtown Skyline & Waterfront

2008-09-09T07:06:00.000-04:00

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The day was just starting to fade, like a flower just past its prime, just starting to wither. The sun was still bold and bright, but more diffuse, blunted by its passing through more of our atmosphere as it streaked toward molecules of planet earth. Somehow, it seemed more crisp, more sharply bright even as it began to fade.

Striking the white cliffs of downtown at a more direct angle, it shot back into my eyes fiercely, defiantly. This is the parting shot, the dying denial. Reminding us, one and all, that this fading, this waning, is but a brief interlude before the next act, the next iteration of daylight that will surely come to pass on the morrow.

Well, anyway, here is a different view of the Clearwater Downtown Skyline and Waterfront, through the skeleton of the Sand Key Bridge. To the right, south, is Sand Key, to the left, north, is Clearwater Beach. The bridge in the distance is the Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: US HWY 19: Paint That Overpass!

2008-09-08T08:29:00.000-04:00

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Was it a bad primer job to begin with? Was it a bad batch of paint? Did the weather prove to be too much for it? I don't know what the problem is, but that there overpass needs a paint job! Perhaps they are already working on it, at night, and this is the progress they have made scraping loose paint?

Sitting at the light, looking at the world through the lens of my Nikon D80, I spotted this overpass in need of a fresh coat of paint. I don't think I have seen that very often. I didn't think that overpass was all that old even. But what do I know? Either way, this view is not representative of our fine City of Clearwater, Florida!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Hassell Florist Since 1959

2008-09-07T08:21:00.000-04:00

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Hassell Florist has been there as long as I can remember. Of course, that stands to reason, as they were established in 1959, which is LONGER than I can remember! You have to believe they are doing something right to be in business since 1959.

I like their sign too. Always good to see a business that thinks beyond a metal post with a board on top for a sign! Check out the Hassell Florist website. The shop is on Drew Street at the corner of Duncan.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Brightly Shining Bridge & Waterfront Skyline

2008-09-06T10:13:00.000-04:00

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A different view of the Clearwater skyline. The waterfront view, near the Harborview Center, and the Clearwater Memorial Causeway Bridge. A pretty view, with the late evening sun illuminating the buildings. This shot was taken from Sand Key Park.

It is a fine, shining place, isn't it? Welcome to Clearwater, Florida. :D
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Office Park Map For The Directionally Challenged

2008-09-03T23:17:00.000-04:00

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Now this is MY kind of office park! Give me a map, or I will spend days just trying to find the suite I am heading for. I guess I am a map-oriented sort of person.

There are many places and times in life where there ought to be some sort of map, some sort of directional guidance. But nope, so many times, we are left to our own devices. That means getting lost for me! I am famous for coming out of a store in The Mall, and now knowing which direction I was heading in before I went into the store. Oy!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Mack Big Rig Tractor: Lots Of Truck

2008-09-02T22:54:00.000-04:00

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Ya know, I have absolutely NO use whatever for a truck as big as this monster I snapped in Clearwater recently. AND YET... that does not seem to quell the totally irrational burning desire to own such a thing. No, there is not a chance in hades that I will ever own one. But the fact that I will never have a billion dollars doesn't keep me from wanting that, either.

This is a Mack truck, if you care. One of the most well known names in trucks. (Is that like saying they are the Mack-Daddy of trucks?) Having spent some time on their website, I can say with minimal confidence that this is their Pinnacle DayCab model. I was surprised to find they have a neat little games section on their website too. Crossword puzzle, pinball, etc.

Perhaps, when we crack the hydrogen code, and all things motive are powered by some limitless energy flowing through the universe, I could afford something like this. I owned an old p.o.s. dump truck for about 2 hours when I was a kid... does that count? :)
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Clearwater Real Estate: Decorative Ironwork

2008-08-27T20:25:00.000-04:00

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This is the interesting ironwork at the entrance to a home I toured recently. The home is for sale, as a short sale, and the ironwork was sadly neglected.

But I could not help notice the pattern, and wonder what it must have looked like when it was first installed. I wonder how the new owners felt about it. Where they very proud? Did they like the way it came out when they had to walk past it every day? It is, after all, a bit cage-like.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Life's Little Distractions

2008-08-25T22:34:00.000-04:00

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Babies can be so very distracting. It really is hard to get anything done when they are around. Luckily, being in the Grandparent role, I can send them home with Mom and Dad while I get back to getting things done.

But I do still tend to lose part of a day here and there. I always enjoy it, of course. They are so beautiful.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Real Estate: How A Lawn Should Look

2008-08-24T22:40:00.000-04:00

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Now, speaking of Clearwater Real Estate, I may not be in love with this house, but I can say the lawn looks a lot better than the one posted yesterday! Yeah, much better. No, not perfect, but much better.

In fact, as nice as it looks, I do still have to mention that it would appear to be a very thirsty lawn! Yes, this landscaping is not necessarily designed to save water. It is designed to look good. Oh well. Perhaps the next owners will consider xeriscaping the place!
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Sad, Neglected Lawn

2008-08-23T17:03:00.000-04:00

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This is Florida. We love the green lawns, we love the lush landscape. But these things require lots of water, and sometimes, lots of attention. (Xeriscaping reduces a lot of these needs.)

The problem is... it gets hot here, really hot, and humid. So it's not uncommon for people, as they get older or become less fit (for lack of a better way to put it), to live inside more and more, and go outside to their lawns less and less.

This was the back yard at a home for sale that I visited. You could tell that the owner had become one of those people staying inside, away from the humid heat of Florida. As a result, their lawn and landscaping had really gone downhill. It made me sad to see it.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!

Clearwater, Florida: Safely Ashore After Kayaking Tampa Bay

2008-08-21T21:57:00.000-04:00

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It was a wonderful paddle, a glorious day on the water, so sweet to come ashore and look back. What a restful, contented feeling after a trip like that.

If you are looking wistfully at this picture, wishing you could afford a kayak, stop wishing. Many places rent them quite inexpensively. I first rented an Old Town Dirigo 120 from Osprey Bay Outdoors, in Clearwater. Their rental program is quite reasonable, and they will put a portion of your rentals against the future purchase of a boat.
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If you would like to see more of this area, check out Dunedin Daily Photo, and Clearwater Beach Daily Photo. If you enjoy photography, check out my photography blog. Thanks for coming today, I hope you enjoyed your mini-vacation to Clearwater, Florida!