Day 6 - Tampa Potential Triple Thwart

Oh, Tampa, you sneaky city.

Since today was a recovery day, and I was still dealing with a cranky leg, we decided to do a “quick run” into Tampa.

Have you met Tampa? And its incredibly snarled traffic?

Well, we didn’t either.

We decided to go to the farthest first, then work our way back to base. We prepared for typical Florida traffic, including snacks.

So zipping through light traffic and landing at our target within a half-hour? Inconceivable!

It was good to see the parking lot full, but of course I have reservations about any museum staying open in this state, especially since the Florida Museum of Natural History closed abruptly to “make adjustments to the exhibits.” Stay strong, MOSI, don’t fall for political rhetoric.

We turned back to go downtown, and that’s when things got… interesting.

Glazer Children’s Museum should be a quick in-and-out, right?

We aimed for the parking garage that shares a wall with the museum itself, and ran into a sea of humanity.

Block party. Big one.

And guess which parking garage is closest? When there’s a kids’ dance competition?

Oh boy.

It was lovely to see the many colorful costumes of the dancers. Even better was to see the multi-ethnicity of said dancers. Take that, haters.

We climbed, climbed, looking for a parking space…

Wait. Was that a Nevada plate??

More climbing…

Ah, some spaces! Too bad the people behind me wouldn’t let me reverse to straighten out, because there were some sweet spaces they could access if… they’d… just… let… me… straighten… out!

Well, eventually, I could. And as soon as I did, the other slots were filled up very quickly. I hope they enjoy the block party, because it sure looks like a doozy.

In the meantime, hubby scoots to get the squishies. I need to eat, because diabetes and a set schedule. I nosh while hubby braves the crowds, gets the squishie, and returns to eat his lunch while we watch the parade of party-goers and plot our next move.

Yes, that was, in fact, a Nevada plate! And here’s a Wyoming plate to join in on the fun!

On the road trepidatiously, because this will be the hard one…

The Tampa Aquarium is very awkwardly placed, because Tampa has grown so quickly recently. Very little parking – they used to share with the cruise ship parking lot, but there are so many cruise ships in and out now that there’s really no room to share anymore. We didn’t know that there’s now a parking lot for the aquarium only, but so annoying to get to.

Uffda. And I was so rattled by all the weirdness driving that I got turned around, and walked the wrong way down the street. Bad foot, remember? With a lost brain cell to go with it, apparently.

Argh. Luckily, hubby was willing to go back to the car, drive it around, and pick me up. This time, we parked at the other end of the parking lot, close to the aquarium! Sheesh.

So why did this go wrong??

Because otherwise, we would have missed the New Mexico plate.

And, when I sat in front of the wrong building, waiting for hubby to get me, I saw a walkie-talkie squawking away by itself. So when we met one of the security guys near the aquarium, I reported it – and he took off in a hurry, because it might be one of theirs, and that would compromise security rather badly.

And it allowed me to get pics of the only Florida state butterfly that I’ve seen on this trip, the Zebra Longwing, on the way in.

I was expecting to zip through, get the squishies, and zip out.

Well. As much as I’m biased against the state, dang have they upped their game in the aquarium department.

We had a BLAST.

We took pics.

LOTS of pics.

I won’t show a pic of the duckerdoo aftermath, but suffice it to say, the Make a Family trip edition continued. It was highly amusing to see Mister Duck walking around, reeling his Florida in. IYKYK, right? Most of the reason I got my degree in biology is to laugh at all the ways creatures, including us, mate, and most them are outright hilarious. I could regale you about ducks all day. Corkscrews, it’s funny! But would probably get me kicked off Vocal. Moving on…

More pics.

I became convinced that this is the place where the entire cast of Finding Nemo retired to.

And I found my minion! We didn’t move for anyone else in the aquarium, but I got a lazy tentacle wave!! He didn't move for anyone else! I loves me my minions!!!

(Just letting you know, that anemone out front there, all prominent like? Used to be called Equus priapus, because Audubon had a dirty sense of humor. When someone with no sense of humor in the 90’s or oughts found out, they had it changed. Yes, folks, that used to be called Big Red Horse Dick. Sigh. Hic moritur humor…)

We had such a nice time wandering, that the place closed while we weren’t paying attention. Including the gift shop! Oh noooo…

I asked very nicely at Guest Information, and she, who is now my personal hero, went over and asked one of the guys in the shop if it was okay. And he agreed!! Look, they were already counting the money, they did not have to do that! So hubby did the deed, while I blocked from my side, and the shop guy blocked from his end. We didn’t set foot in the shop, were very respectful, and very grateful.

Okay, Tampa, you have your moments. You really do. I expected a meh time, and I got a wow. Can’t argue, and got the squishies!

Back to base, where we met up with our friend, who was limp from her massage. Dinner was curry-encrusted salmon. I didn’t take pictures, because NOM. Sorry.

We stayed up for the next launch, but then went zonk rather quickly, because tomorrow is the day we’re all excited for!