We spent 2 nights in St Pete’s. It was a bit of drive from Tallahassee and the Air BnB had a 5pm check in time. With time to kill we stopped at Crystal Rivers.
It’s a spring fed river with clear water and white sand. It’s famous for its manatees, or so we were told as we saw zero. When the gulf temperature drops the sea cows (nature’s speed bumps) swim up the river the bask in the warmth of the springs. Despite their rotund figure they don’t have much body fat. Despite the lack of manatees it really was a beautiful place. Unfortunately you can’t enter the water from the park to preserve the banks. We had to settle for watching others have fun.
Next stop was Walmart to get some costumes for the boys. Turns out if you leave buying a costume for 3pm the night of Halloween there’s not much left! Thank goodness we found a Buzz Lightyear suit for Moose, just ever so slightly too big with a Woodie treat basket. Ollie had to settle for a Batman onesie.
We’ve stayed in some ghetto places before and St Pete’s proved to be more of the same. We arrived just after 5 and couldn’t see ANY kids walking the streets. I put them in the car do some candy tourism. I figured there’s an elementary school near by therefore kids, therefore candy. Nope. As a last ditch effort I googled the nearest Trader Joe’s and hit up that neighbourhood. Jackpot! Seemed everyone had the same idea too. Vans were pulling over and letting kids and parents up. I felt much less guilty!
This street was amazing. Families, young couples, retirees all put in phenomenal efforts on their decorations.
We put a bucket of chocolates outside our place in case anyone came by. When we got home none of the treats were taken! I reckon I bought 300 chocolates. We dumped them in Miami. Our neighbours seemed to be partaking in the “Devil’s Lettuce” so we hooked a bag of candies to their door knob. It must have been good product because they were too paranoid to take it and it was still there the next morning!
The next day was an epic drive to Miami Beach.