Frank's Florida Adventure Day 3
Sunday was the third and final day of my first Flordia adventure. After Coach Duggs health scare, the plan was back on track with another round of mini-golf on the Gulf Coast, a trip to the boardwalk, and a second road trip across the Sunshine State. As we had every day, we got started around ten. TJ needed to get back to Jacksonville for five to do the Shortporch pod. So there was not much time to dilly or dally as we checked out of the Holiday Inn in St. Pete.
The first stop was Smuggler's Cove, a grand miniature golf course with a pirate theme in the Tampa-St. Pete area at Madeira Beach. This was the Super Bowl of mini-golf, or as they call in adventure golf, as it was the best course that I have played yet. Once again, they had baby alligators, this time; we had the chance to feed the gators with what looked like a cork from a bottle of wine. The match against Coach Duggs went as well as expected, as my never-ending losing streak continued. However, I had a good effort that included a beautiful hole in one on the 11th hole. The hole-in-one earned me a free round of golf the next time I am in the Tampa-St. Pete area.
After 18 holes at Smuggler's Cove, it was time to hit the boardwalk at John's Pass, where we took the opportunity to shoot an episode of Raw Dogging while looking out at the Gulf of Mexico, complete with a draw bridge that was going up and down often. I made sure to pick up some sodas for some future taste tests and some mediocre taffy. Sorry Florida, New Jersey has the best taffy, and it is not even close.
After lunch at Hooter's, it was time for another trip across the state, this time avoiding the Orlando area. While making the trip, I kept my eye on the Mets as they were swept by the Tampa Bay Rays, losing Michael Conforto and Jeff McNeil for the next six weeks in the process. During the trip, I noticed signs for Florida Citrus Centers. I thought that meant places to see Orange trees. Sadly it was the name they use for Rest Stops. Duggs informed me that rest stops in Florida are just rest areas with no gas and food. Very confusing for a Jersey Boy who is used to see Rest Stops with places to eat and fuel up, all the way down the turnpike and parkway.
Returning to Jacksonville, TJ went to record the Short Porch as the weekend continued for the Units. I got my first taste of Publix, a supermarket supreme, tasting a nice pub-sub with bologna, prosciutto, and liverwurst. Hey, I had to have something familiar. I even got a taste of a genuine fresh Florida orange. I am convinced the oranges shipped elsewhere are the secondary oranges, as they keep the best for Publix.
From there, it was time for some work on our golf games, as for me and Coach Duggs spent a half-hour at Top Golf. It was fun as we watched the sunset on my first weekend in Florida. For dinner, it was time for some southern Barbeque at Mojo Kitchen, a place with a Memphis Blues theme. The ribs were excellent. It was a nighttime ride through downtown Jacksonville to finish up the trip, looking at the buildings, the skyline, and the bridges.
Going to Florida adds one more state to my tally. Since I was six, I wanted to visit all 50 states. I am far behind but making progress with three states added in 2021, bringing the total to 16 states I have visited. One day I will return to Florida, I still want to see an orange tree in Florida and some live Dolphins, as well as the Miami Dolphins, but that will be on another day and another Florida adventure.