Sunday, February 21, 2010

Water and Palms

It's a new week and I would like to participate in 2 events, Blue and Mosaic Monday. Blue Monday is hosted by Sally at http://smilingsally.blogspot.com and Mosaic Monday is hosted by Mary at http://dearlittleredhouse.blogspot.com. Make sure you visit them to see lots of blue beauties and creative mosaics.
Well, I am still in Florida but I took a weekend break from babysitting my 2 precious grand babies to join hubby in Tampa for the weekend. He had a medical seminar to attend. I drove and picked up my granddaughter so she can spend sometime with us too at Ybor City. We also watched the broadway, Wicked. AJ and I have seen it for the 4th time. Do you think we really like it? LOL! I will show you more pictures for Sightseeing Sat.

For now, I just want to share with you the blue waters of Florida, although the first mosaic looks more like gray water, the sky is definitely blue. These pics were taken on the Cape Coral bridge which connects Fort Myers to Cape Coral.
The presence of palm trees and water is so typical of Florida.


Although this is the new Sunshine Skyway bridge, it still freaks me out but I drove pass it just to take pictures to share with you. It is a beautiful bridge but the original bridge has been a site for many tragic accidents.
In Jan, 1980, USCGC Blackthorn and a tanker, Capricorn collided resulting in the drowning deaths of 23 crew trapped on board and belowdecks. And then again in May, 1980, the southbound span of the original bridge was destoyed when the freighter MV Summit Venture collided with a pier support column during a storm. 1200 feet of the bridge plummeted into the Tampa Bay. Six automobiles and a Greyhound bus happened to be driving by, not knowing the bridge has been split and they fell 150 ft. below killing 35 people. This bridge is very tall and it is really hard to see what you are approaching. There was 1 survivor, Wesley McIntire. His pickup truck landed on the Venture but he died in 1989. He was haunted by the fact that he was the only one who survived.
The Courtney Campbell Causeway on SR 60 is a different story. I love driving by there, very picturesque with water on both sides. It has 2 beaches along the way. It stretches 9.9 miles connecting eastern Clearwater to Tampa's Rocky Point Island and subsequently to the western portion of mainland Tampa.
I hope you enjoyed a little tour of some FL waterways and bridges. These are just a few of the many bridges in Florida. Thank you very much for your visit and many thanks to our hosts!

26 comments:

Cindy said...

How beautiful! I could definitely use me some Florida, sunshine and palm trees.

LV said...

I enjoyed traveling the highways of Florida with you. Really pretty part of the country.

Happy To Be/ Gl♥ria said...

That is a strange looking bridge girl...Loved seeing all your pictures my friend...hey congrats on the new grand baby...Hope your having a great time..Hugs and smiles Gl♥ria

Unknown said...

WoW Christine...That was a fun post... Great mosaics and info....Thanks :)
~Really Rainey~

SmilingSally said...

What a nice break for you and John! I love blue skies and palm trees. Happy Blue Monday.

Debbiedoos said...

Christine you take amazing pics, you must always have your camera with you!!~ I miss Palm Trees!!~ Happy Monday! And have fun with those grandbabies!!~

Kim @ Savvy Southern Style said...

Great pics Christine. I have been to Fort Myers. My grandparents lived in Port Charlotte before they passed away. Enjoy those grandbabies.

Beth said...

Christine, These are poignant stories and gorgeous pictures - thanks for taking me to Florida for a little break from a midwestern winter!

Marice said...

thanks for the nice tour Christine :) lovely photos!

u may view mine here

Silvia said...

thanks Christine for bringing Fla to me in this very snowey day...have a great vacation.

☆Mama Ko☆ said...

These sre allbeautiful places Christine. Thanks for sharing.

PAT said...

This is wonderful Christine. I enjoyed all the photos and your mosaic is beautiful.

Marty@A Stroll Thru Life said...

Christine, these pictures are all just gorgeous. I love them. What a great time. Hugs, Marty

Glenda/MidSouth said...

Loved seeing your photos. I really have problems crossing bridges like that and the older I get the worse I get.

Kristina said...

That was so informative and I so enjoyed this sharing post with gorgeous photos too! Even though I live in Palm Beach Florida - I've never ventured to the Tampa area. I do go over to Naples and as far up I75 to Ft. Myers - but no further!
I feel now that I'll need to explore more of this state. Thank you so much!

Sue said...

Ybor City...did you eat at Columbia? The Sunshine bridge freaks me out too. I ride over it (my parents live on Siesta Key) but I never like it. It is beautiful to see...but a scary trip over it!

Sue

LeAnn said...

What a beautiful place to be driving!

❀~Myrna~❀ said...

Great Pics , a tragic history !
Blessings,
Myrna

joyh82 said...

Great mosaics of nice scenery.
I would love to be in some nice weather like that. Happy Blue Monday!

GardenOfDaisies said...

Those bridges are all amazing. Wish our weather looked like that right now.

Debby@Just Breathe said...

My family is in Palm Harbor. We fly into Tampa. I haven't been on the newer bridge but I know that it scares my brother-in-law, my sister has to drive him over when he has appointments to call on. I remember that terrible accident.
The causeway I have been on. Actually we were in a VERY close call accident back in the 80's on that causeway. The road wasn't divided like it is now with the cememnt blocks. I hope to visit them in May/June for great nieces who will be graduating from 8th grade.

Anonymous said...

That was a nice trip to Florida for me! Enjoyed it. We have a bridge that is tall (Corpus Christi). They are weird and scary when they're that big. Thanks. Jenn <><

Bargain Decorating with Laurie said...

Beautiful photos Christine! That bridge looks so scary! After reading the stories you told about it, I'm not sure I'd want to get on that bridge either. laurie

sanjeet said...

Really pretty part of the country.

Work From Home

Americana Lady said...

I am so afraid of bridges! I am scared just looking at that one! Joan

Mary said...

Oh how wonderful to see blue skies and palm trees! Thanks for sharing at MM. :)

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