November 19, 2011 - Gulfport

J.T., Boyd and I met for breakfast as usual at Snellgroves in Plant City.  Bill and Eddie were unable to join us as they were off to Lakeland to participate in a charity shotgun tournament.  After breakfast, Boyd left us to take his wife to the beach for the weekend.  J.T. and I mounted up and headed towards Gulfport.

The first stop was the Jameson Rd. bridge over the South Prong of the Alifia River.  Next we rode to the rest area at the south end of the Sunshine Skyway Bridge.  As usual, the views of Tampa Bay and the bridge were awsome.

J.T., Sunshine Skyway and the bikes

After crossing the bridge, our attention was captured by the many paraboarders at the3 north end of the bridge.

We continued on to Gulfport with intention of have lunch at O'Maddy's Bar and Grill  Unfortunately, the place was packed due to some special event.  So, J.T. and I decided to try someplace new.  On the next block we found the Neptune Grill.

The place was almost empty while, a block away, O'Maddy's was packed to the limit.  It should have been a clue.  Don't get me wrong, the food was okay, but suffered by comparison to O;Maddy's.

After lunch, we walked across the street to the Gulfport Casino with its view of the beach.

It was then time to head home.  Deciding not to travel through Tampa, we turned back south and took the back roads home.  It was a ride of about 160 miles on a warm, cloudy mid-Florida day.  Come out and join us next Saturday.

Ride With Pride,
Gunny