I hadn’t heard the phrase “God’s waiting room.” Seems like the further down the coast you go, the truer it becomes. My dad would have caught the first plane out of Naples had he heard that!
Fascinating about the salami. Man, I’d have lost a lot of money on a bet about that. I’ve eaten hundreds (plural) of Cuban sandwiches and never once had one with salami.
Love the word “krewe”. One of my best friends from college is from and still lives in New Orleans. They love that word there. We use it still today.
Saw one game in Raymond James. 2016 title game. Was sitting in the temp stands on the end where Watson hit Renfrow for the win. I was about 85% sure those stands were collapsing. Top 5 memory not involving family.
I’ve been to NO, but not with my family yet. And my wife has been there for work. We joke about how different our experiences were. Because she was there on a consultant’s expense account and I was there as a graduate assistant…crammed in a Red Roof Inn with 3 other coaches 🤣
So glad you had a good vacation. Liked your reflection at the end.
What a fun game! Here's mine -- from 2021 and 2003. (I couldn't pick just one).
". . . a Florida man stole candles from a Bath and Body Works store in a Doral mall and sprayed bear mace at approximately 35 patrons before escaping in a cab. The incident led to the evacuation of a portion of the mall, and several people, including the store manager, were treated for injuries caused by the irritant."
". . . a defendant named Cornell Jackson in Panama City, Florida, was arrested after mooning a jury during his trial, which was part of an insanity defense in an alleged assault case. He was dragged from the courtroom and ordered to watch the remainder of the trial from a holding cell on closed-circuit television."
I've lived in Tampa some 36 years, and I'm glad you liked it here. Next visit, take a look at the city's gangster past. Looks like a James Ellroy novel at times, and I mentioned it in my article, "Cigar City Mafia." https://wtwright.substack.com/p/cigar-city-mafia
Sounds like a great trip! I've been to Florida on 3 occasions, and it was always pleasant and memorable. I always expect something insane, but it just never seems to happen. Oh well. Maybe next time.
It’s about an FBI agent (Johnny Depp) going undercover inside the mob to take down Al Pacino. Not a spoiler: they go to the zoo in Tampa, just like you did.
Just checked, they filmed it in Miami. Not authentic but still a modern classic!
Interesting piece, Henny. Thanks for the shoutout. Florida always entertains. Tampa was the setting for the firing of a young man, dressed in pajama pants, with a stripper girlfriend in tow - I haven’t written about that event yet, but writing that sentence convinces me that I should someday.
I hadn’t heard the phrase “God’s waiting room.” Seems like the further down the coast you go, the truer it becomes. My dad would have caught the first plane out of Naples had he heard that!
Ha! I can’t believe you’d never heard that before. As my grandfather used to say, you learn something new every day!
Fascinating about the salami. Man, I’d have lost a lot of money on a bet about that. I’ve eaten hundreds (plural) of Cuban sandwiches and never once had one with salami.
Love the word “krewe”. One of my best friends from college is from and still lives in New Orleans. They love that word there. We use it still today.
Saw one game in Raymond James. 2016 title game. Was sitting in the temp stands on the end where Watson hit Renfrow for the win. I was about 85% sure those stands were collapsing. Top 5 memory not involving family.
That’s awesome, I remember that play.
I’ve been to NO, but not with my family yet. And my wife has been there for work. We joke about how different our experiences were. Because she was there on a consultant’s expense account and I was there as a graduate assistant…crammed in a Red Roof Inn with 3 other coaches 🤣
So glad you had a good vacation. Liked your reflection at the end.
What a fun game! Here's mine -- from 2021 and 2003. (I couldn't pick just one).
". . . a Florida man stole candles from a Bath and Body Works store in a Doral mall and sprayed bear mace at approximately 35 patrons before escaping in a cab. The incident led to the evacuation of a portion of the mall, and several people, including the store manager, were treated for injuries caused by the irritant."
". . . a defendant named Cornell Jackson in Panama City, Florida, was arrested after mooning a jury during his trial, which was part of an insanity defense in an alleged assault case. He was dragged from the courtroom and ordered to watch the remainder of the trial from a holding cell on closed-circuit television."
OMG those are great. Frickin Florida man!!! 🤣🤣🤣
I've lived in Tampa some 36 years, and I'm glad you liked it here. Next visit, take a look at the city's gangster past. Looks like a James Ellroy novel at times, and I mentioned it in my article, "Cigar City Mafia." https://wtwright.substack.com/p/cigar-city-mafia
Now that you say that, one of our tour guides referenced something about that. So cool!
I’m actually working on a book project about Jon Matuszak, who played football at U Tampa back in the 70s before they dropped the program.
Sounds like a great trip! I've been to Florida on 3 occasions, and it was always pleasant and memorable. I always expect something insane, but it just never seems to happen. Oh well. Maybe next time.
Yeah, the parakeet was about as strange as it got. And the weather was outstanding…we got a foot of snow in Wisconsin while we were gone.
Cool experiences! Have you seen Donnie Brasco? Great mafia film with a lot of Tampa in it.
When I was down there a few years ago I was only in St. Pete and Clearwater across the bay, so it was cool to learn more about Tampa itself.
I’m kind of ashamed to say I haven’t. I feel like I should’ve. It’s like a gangster flick right?
It’s about an FBI agent (Johnny Depp) going undercover inside the mob to take down Al Pacino. Not a spoiler: they go to the zoo in Tampa, just like you did.
Just checked, they filmed it in Miami. Not authentic but still a modern classic!
I love historical markers. Couldn’t you just imagine Teddy riding thru on his trusty horse?
If that restaurant allows parrots then they must allow dogs! Right?
My mom lives in FL. She loves it! And thank G-d FL loves her. She’s 89.
Haha, glad FL loves her back 😉
Yup, dogs…and lizards too, according to our server!
Interesting piece, Henny. Thanks for the shoutout. Florida always entertains. Tampa was the setting for the firing of a young man, dressed in pajama pants, with a stripper girlfriend in tow - I haven’t written about that event yet, but writing that sentence convinces me that I should someday.
Oh hell yes!!!
So fun…and educational. Your daughter must love that every trip is a learning experience. Mine always did 😆
I’m picking up on your sarcasm 😉
Sounds like you had a great time and didn't get carjacked by methheads so that's a W in my book! lol
We always say, any vacation without a methhead is a great vacation 🤣
If you're interested in going a little deeper on Florida history, Kartik Krishnaiyer has written a series on the subject.
https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/7947588.Kartik_Krishnaiyer
Holy cow! Thanks for that, hadn’t heard of him or those books. Do you know him or have you read any of them?
I only “cyber-know” him, but he’s got a great soccer Substack (Beyond the 90) and we’re both active in an online aviation community. He’s a good dude.
I’ll have to double check, but I think I’ve read 2 of ‘em?
💅🏻
Kelley I don’t think you realize how old I am. I had to screenshot that emoji and then zoom in to see what it was…even with my reading glasses on 🤣
Can’t believe they have that one but not a hat tip one
Hahahaha so sorry 😂