Blessed Are The Intrepid, Day 14:
Resting Beach Face

Phipps Ocean Park is the perfect beach. I have never seen the Atlantic Ocean like this. Bright and clear turquoise waters, shells, soft sands, pretty fishies, empty, free before 1 pm, and close by. And I was pleased to have a bit more success with the snorkeling equipment in the shallow and calm waters. To my surprise, a ton of fish! Though most were tiny schools of fish, I did see larger ones, including one over a foot long with a sword snout. I think it was a Atlantic Needlefish… but I didn’t capture that on my water camera, so you’ll just have to believe my tall tale.

Lots of underwater pictures that I liked. Mostly because they resembled watercolor paintings… and because they captured the beautiful hue of the ocean.

Water & Air

Half in & half out water pictures

We tried to take selfies, but this is difficult underwater.

So many fishies…

A mid-day pick-me-up

Tacos are the best after the beach. These beauties came from Grandview Public Market’s Zipitios. The Garibaldi had coconut curry chickpeas, Valentina aioli, and crispy onions topped red cabbage and cilantro. It was everything I wanted in a post-beach lunch—freshness, crispiness, flavor. Grandview Public Market is a hip food hall with open-air seating to watch big grey clouds combine and create a gorgeous storm.

Yuca Brava was a fab side to share– a big plate of fried yuca chunks with that Valentina aioli, slaw, cilantro, and crispy onion–dressed just like the tacos. I am eating the leftovers now as I type this. Delicious then and now!

Star fruit trees! Uh, this is amazing, Florida.

Do they know the street value of this stuff?!

But we had to go to the fruit store.