One leg of our hike takes us along Interbay Boulevard east to Ballast Point Park. We were somewhat hesitant to take that route since the tornado that bounced through South Tampa took the same route, but we decided to give it a try to see how far we could get. We were also curious to see how the cleanup was going.
I was ruminating on the significance of our flag tangled in the tree, the bent flag pole with the cross in the background when one of the parishioners from the Faith Tabernacle of the Biblically Bizarre accosted me with the question, "Are you a vetran?" Assuming that he was asking if I was a veteran of the U.S. military, I answered in the affirmative.
This toad of the church ministered to by the long, long dead Pastor Green proceeded with yet another interrogatory, "Ya know why that there flag is hung like that?" Before I could volunteer that it was probably due to the tornado, this disciple of the delusional blurted out that it was, "Cause this here country's in trouble."
If he hadn't chortled gleefully, I would have let it go, but his arrogant assumption that I was like minded just pissed me off. He was taken aback to know that we are Obama supporters and believe that it is the Republicans who are tearing the country asunder. This professed Christian began making hand gestures and muttering something about assholes. At this point we decided to continue on with our hike before this man of God wound up getting himself bitch-smited upside his greasy head.
As a side note, I swear I saw his snaggletoothed self on the AMC series The Walking Dead last season - third episode, fourth zombie on the right. Really!
Anyway, we walked on, putting this unpleasant encounter behind us, and were pleased to see the progress made by TECO and the cleanup crews. With only a few minor detours we made it to the park.
Ballast Point Park hosts many family picnics and birthday celebrations., but on this day there was one that was pretty in pink.
The little table and chairs sat there patiently waiting for the birthday Princess and her court.
We still had two more miles to go so we didn't tarry, but I can image that this was a most joyous occasion for the young lady and her friends.
Later in the day we hopped into the cruiser and headed across the bay to the Trop. We had tickets to enjoy (I use that word loosely) the Rays play the Buzzards from Baltimore, or some such, from the civilized setting of the Whitney Bank Club.
The Belle of Ballast Point goes primarily for the game. I go for the unlimited food and adult beverages. For me, the game is secondary, but those soft, comfy seats are a real butt-cheek delight.
Without waiting for a response, I took the shot. Sometimes it is best to just shut up and shoot.
The food on this visit was mediocre at best, although the beef brisket was melt-in-the-mouth tender. Food wise the Center Field Brewhouse (renamed simply The Brewhouse) provides a tastier dining experience and more bang for your buck. We'll go back there on our next trip to the Trop.
We were sad to see the Rays lose - again, but were happy that someone finally scored. Watching this game was less exciting than watching paint dry. We were sorely afraid the game would go into extra innings just to get a score.
Finally, late in the game the Orioles (I was corrected by my bride on the name) scored three runs and we got up and departed. It was too painful to watch any longer. Oh well, there are still 159 games left to turn this into a winning season.
That was our Saturday. How was yours?
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