More on Florida >HERE
Warm Wishes Love L
Meeting St. Pete Beach was not love at first sight. We’d never met, so it was a blind date. I was hesitant–should I choose neighboring Clearwater? St. Pete had the reputation of being more laid back while Clearwater was a bustling beach with high rises. In the end, I couldn’t resist the five story, flamingo-hued Hilton Garden Inn property directly on the gulf (plus I had reward points). We arrived at night passing some unappealing strip malls before arriving at the hotel. Inside the lobby, a group of men reeked of alcohol and the neighboring motel was playing loud music. Clearly, this was not going to be a match. After a poor first impression, I woke up the next morning to blue-green, Caribbean like water that shimmered with diamonds under the warm Florida sunshine. The room was immaculate and the breeze was gentle. Downstairs in the lobby, smiling families and couples set off for breakfast and the beach. Maybe I’d rushed to conclusions about St. Pete. This Valentine/birthday stay might just be the perfect match. After all, the prospects in Ohio were looking pretty bleak this time of year with their endless dull gray days and icy reception. Turns out -56- | ExtendedWeekendGetaways ~ February, 2024
my extended weekend getaway was a love match.
Matchmaker, Finding Love
As a travel writer, I fashion myself a bit of a matchmaker. I like to introduce people to bright, new experiences that enliven their zest for life. That often means exhaustive research before I even get to my destination. I read countless reviews, make numerous calls, and surf on the web so much that I can hardly wait to see real-live surf! The thing about St. Pete is that there is plenty to fall in love with. Sure, he’s not
