Mother's Day and Fort de Soto Park

Sunday, May 10

Day 33

Happy Mother's Day!  I heard from all my children today, how wonderful. It is a little weird not spending the day with them, but we will make it up when we get home. I am a blessed mother, just knowing our children are doing well! We had a great breakfast, did a little packing and blogging and then went to Mass with Roseann and Dick at St. Francis Cabrini Catholic Church. They are the first Catholic ATC couple we have stayed with on our trip which has been really nice.

We met a couple of their friends after church, enjoyed the service and homily and then headed out toward Fort de Soto County Park which is on an island in the Gulf about 15 miles south of St Petersburg. Because of Mother's Day, the park was very crowded, but the campground was peaceful and quiet. It was fun to see everyone out enjoying their families, the beautiful park and day.

Mother's Day crowd

 Florida sure has a lot of beautiful places to offer it's inhabitants and visitors. We relaxed and read awhile at the campground and then set out exploring the park, walking the beach and visiting the fishing pier. Their were many photo opportunities of birds waiting for an easy meal, dolphins, fishermen throwing nets to capture their bait fish and a few mackerel being caught.

The fishermen throw these nets over the pier to catch their bait.

 The waters seemed very alive with fish and dolphins which is encouraging. It is nice that Florida offers these piers where fishermen and women can come and fish without a license. There was a very fun and interesting crowd. After taking some pictures of sunset we headed back to the campground to settle into our tent for what was intended to be a quiet starfilled night with the rainflap off. Nature had another idea thanks to our stupidity.

Baby in stroller, fishing supplies and cooler in baby bed!

Beautiful Florida gulf sunsets