We dropped the hook in Tampa Bay, outside of the St. Pete Municipal Marina, nested on the edge of downtown, for about a week. There was a public boat ramp beside the fuel dock which was only a five-minute dinghy ride away. Anytime we wanted to go explore downtown or meet up with my sister, this is where we tied up. Due to the ease of it, we found ourselves going to land often and were often lured by the smells wafting out of restaurants.
At first glance, St. Pete is all about catering to tourists. Some parts are gimmicky and uppity but when you explore a city on foot, you see a bit deeper into what is really there. Additionally, we are strong believers in supporting locally owned businesses, even if it means walking a little further or spending a little more. One morning we walked a mile and a half to the only locally owned Marine Supply Warehouse. This was located across from a large Salvation Army, where we observed some folks on the sidewalks with shopping carts or backpacks. It was morning and many were just starting their day. It was a two block transition from a bustling downtown to deserted and destitute.
When we arrived to the Marine Supply Warehouse, the sign on the front door read, Enter through the Back Door.” I felt a bit uneasy at this point but trekked through the grass along the side of the building and entered through the back. We were greeted by Stephen Cocker, the owner and operator of the business. I would describe Stephen as a bit eccentric. Politically he identifies as an Independent and strongly believes that people should think for themselves and come to their own conclusions. On his computer is a printed paper hanging with a quote from the Red Rules, which you see pictured below.
Stephen asked if he could share his views with us on the concept of global warming. Based on his research, and what I remember of a very intricately detailed theory, his understanding is that global warming is a distraction from what is really happening right below our feet. He believes that underground volcanic activity and magma are responsible for climate change and that there is nothing humans can do to change this. It sounded like he believed that humans believe they have more control over the Earth than they actually do. He showed us maps of volcanic activity, graphs, and charts. It was actually quite compelling to listen to and if you google, “underground volcanic activity and global warming,” several articles come up from credible sources.
Unlike Stephen, we have not done extensive research and are just regurgitating what was shared. Regardless of any preponderance of fact, it was thought provoking and new to us. My takeaway was live your life elevated and don’t buy property in California or Nevada.
As our on foot exploration continued, we ended up at The Galley, a neighborhood pub owned by two St. Pete natives where we indulged in the Taco Tuesday special; a must for anyone visiting. While people watching on our table on the sidewalk outside, we spotted a man who worked there wearing a “St. Pete vs. Everyone” shirt that Blake is now infatuated with but cannot find anywhere.
While walking off our food we found ourselves in a local dive bar called The Emerald. The bartender at the The Emerald looked like she was a mermaid in a past life. She was probably in her 60s with long bleached blonde hair that past her hip bones and a fitted greenish-blue maxi dress. She talked about meeting celebrities that I was not familiar with and complimented me on my high waisted pants followed by saying how she can’t pull that off anymore. I thought she was beautiful and told her that and Blake concurred.
About two seats down the bar from Blake was a guy, probably in his late 20s or early 30s, clean cut with a slight hint of disheveled, appropriate for a guy sitting alone at bar chain smoking and drinking vodka sodas on a Tuesday afternoon. He was loud and claimed to have met James Brown. He was the kind that has somehow lived countless lives and knew everything about everything. He inquired about us and we shared that we sailed here from Galveston. He stated he played in a punk rock band in Galveston but couldn’t remember the venue. We can’t help but assume this to be untrue.
Blake noticed a full face motorcycle helmet and riding gloves adorned with metal on each knuckle. He expressed concern that this guy was drinking so much and then going to get on a motorcycle. I looked at the guy and laughingly said to Blake, “Don’t worry honey, I bet he drives a moped.” As the guy got up to leave, he shared some parting words, “Drive fast. Take chances. And keep the shiny side up.” Blake went out behind him to see what he drove and low and behold, he was driving a banana-yellow moped. We laughed to ourselves and thought this is going to be a fun destination.
That same evening, we met up with my sister, Bri, and had Spanish tapas and sangria at a place called Ceviche for Tapas Tuesday. We probably wouldn’t be able to afford this place outside of Tapas Tuesday and for good reason, the food was exquisite. I’m pretty certain I could live off their patatas bravas and ceviche the rest of my life. Afterwards we walked down the street to Flute & Dram, St. Pete’s first caviar, champagne, and whiskey bar. This fanciness is not something we are typically drawn to…what lured us in was the patio, outdoor heaters, and the live vocals of Keith James, covering everything from Jason Isbell and Tyler Childers to Fergie and Cardi B.
While on the patio, we met Faye and Marcus. Faye had recently entered into the boat charter business and Marcus was well established in real estate. Faye was intrigued that we had quit our jobs to sail around for a couple of years and was the second person on our short time on land to ask, “What kind of job do you have to have to be able to do that?” That question really struck me because it had nothing to do with our jobs and everything to do with how we chose to live to achieve this goal. I actually love talking about it and glad she asked.
As the evening went on and the spirits were flowing, Marcus and Bri (both Leos) were dancing and entertaining us all. There were moments in the night where Marcus made us belly laugh so hard that it hurt. Faye asked us if we mircodosed and the only time I ever heard of microdosing was with psychedelic mushrooms and I laughingly said, “No, why do you ask?” She said that we were just so happy and I thought, wow, we are really happy. The whole day was pure joy and that was us. And that is us. We are grateful, curious, and living it up on a Tuesday.