Shutterbugs - Fun in Gulfport, FL

I spent Wednesday on a trip to Gulfport, a Pinellas County community down on Boca Ciega Bay.  I picked up my riders on the way down and we arrived at the appointed meeting place in Gulfport before 9:30.

We parked on Shore Blvd right across the street from the Village Pub.  Everything was quiet along the street.  Restaurants weren't open just yet and residents were out walking.  The skies were a gorgeous blue.  It was windy and the palms fronds were sparkling in the bright sunshine.

The Shutterbugs originally started as a camera club and over the years it has evolved to a group of people who enjoy the camaraderie as well as the opportunity to get some lovely shots.  It is a group within the Woman's Club of Tarpon Springs but anyone is welcome to join us. This was my first visit to this particular area of Gulfport and I enjoyed every minute of it.

We waited around in front of the Casino Ballroom for the rest of the group and it wasn't long before they came along.  Margo from the Gulfport Chamber of Commerce met us there and gave us a bag full of special offers and information about Gulfport.  She also got permission for us to go into the old ballroom.  If you look up the definition of "casino", the first definition is a building or room used for meetings, public amusements, for dancing,gaming, etc. In this case, there is no gambling, but it is a building dating back to 1934 that is used for weddings, meetings, art shows, and numerous other gatherings.  The ballroom has a 5,000 sq. ft. dance floor and a couple of our members got into the spirit of things.

As we left the ballroom,  I looked out across Boca Ciega Bay.  I was struck by how beautiful the sky and water were -- and how bright the sand was.  I love the sugar-white color of the sand along the Gulf Coast.  It is like no other sand I have ever seen.  

We walked south on Shore Blvd toward Williams Pier.  I did not walk out on the pier because the sun was strong and I had not brought a hat.  The recent surgeries are still healing and I have to be very, very careful of strong sunlight.  

I sat on a bench in the shade while others walked out the pier.  Several of my friends saw a Harley in front of O'Maddy's restaurant across the street from the pier.

We would have lunch later at O'Maddy's but first a few pics of the sights along the beach.

There were a lot of sailboats moored just offshore.  And we saw some under full sail later in the day.  We had a delicious lunch at O' Maddy's and then walked up the street to Beach Drive.

Beach Drive has a mixture of restaurants and retail establishments.  It is a wide street with diagonal parking along both sides.  There are some very picturesque buildings. 

I found a hat at Bo-tiki and a couple of other things.  I loved this little clothing and accessories boutique.

And, my favorite shot of the day -- here it is

Bougainvillea in all its glory!

I want to go back on one of their ArtWalk nights and have dinner at one of the restaurants on Beach Drive.  This little community has an inordinate number of artisan residents -- and I am sure they have been attracted to Gulfport by its "old Florida" charm.

Don't forget you can click twice to get a larger view of these pics for greater detail.