Skyway Bridge and Fishing Pier

The church was packed this morning, mostly with regulars but full of visitors as well. So far, Canadians (especially rom Ontario) seem to outnumber all others, but we've seen cars from dozens of states and provinces. After reading the excellent Tampa Bay Times (fka St. Petersburg Times), we had a bite to eat and drove the Sunshine Skyway Bridge to the Skyway State Fishing Piers, a state park. The story of the Summit Venture disaster that led to its destruction is especially chilling to anyone who remembers the Twin Cities' I-35W bridge collapse in 2007.

The approach to the bridge is a thrill well worth the $1 toll. The golden cables stretch far into the sky, visible long before beginning the uphill climb to the center of the span. The cost to visit the fishing pier as a sightseer is $3.20 for a one-hour stay. We parked at various locations along the pier to watch the fishing. Some bad sunburns! Last year when we were here, I saw dolphins but not so much as a fin was visible yesterday, though many were swimming in Boca Ciega Bay when we crossed the Pinellas Bayway Bridge.

The rest stop on the edge of the park has  the most beautiful views I've ever seen, anywhere - no admission required.