Clearwater - A Place to Stay Forever

Belle Air Bech Looking North

After getting the RV set and the electrical, sewer and water connected (including another bump to the head while doing so), I rested a while before doing a little walk around here and back to the office to see if their computers were working yet (no).  With a bit of a cat nap done, I decided to get out and head west to see how far and how long it might take to get to decent grocery stores and such but, then continued on to the end of SR688 and headed for Clearwater Beach to the north end of the island.  Along the way, there were beautiful homes on both sides of the road -- some gated mansions on the beach side in Belle Air, I think.  Every couple of streets there were small groups of parking spaces and public access to the beaches all the way up and down the island -- even onto Clearwater Beach.  Most of the ones before Clearwater Beach were free public parking from 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. -- 11:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. was for the residents.

Public Access - Hooray

There were even rinsing stations as you leave the beach accesses.  Whoa!  Civilization again.

Before going over the bridge into Clearwater Beach, I visited Sand Key Park to see more public facilities and lots of parking with pay stations ($5 for the whole day).  Even free parking spaces near their free fishing piers on the causeway across from Clearwater Beach.

Bridge to Clearwater Beach

Going over the bridge into Clearwater Beach is a spectacular view of the waters and resorts all around -- boats, marinas, yachts and beautiful homes.  Definitely a place you would want to stay forever (if you hit the lottery).  Right now there are lots of college students it seems on Spring Break so the streets are full with them and other visitors.

I made the return trip from Clearwater Beach back to Vacation Village and hunkered down with Tiger and Molly -- eager for an early night of rest for my sore head.  Tiger and Molly have renewed interest here and like what they're hearing and seeing -- birds and squirrels.  Too bad they can't see all the other great stuff too.