The sun at the beach

So, no recipe today. We had the AC fixed in the truck yesterday, so the world of super-hot Florida was our oyster. Took a great drive out to Fort DeSoto Park, incredible beach (#1 rated in the nation four years ago) and the gulf was bathwater warm. Growing up, my only context for swimming in the great outdoors was Lake Michigan, where you were done swimming when you couldn't feel your legs any more, so this was quite the event for me. My parents informed me tonight that Lake Michigan is up to a balmy 65 degrees. Ahhh, refreshing.

The park has some awesome campsites, too, overlooking the Gulf of Mexico, your box fan blowing on high so you don't steam cook overnight in your tent. We miss camping, but this is NOT Florida's tent camping season.

Even better than the park, though, was our side trip through one of the nicer deed-restricted waterfront subdivisions in south Pinellas. At which point, we discovered the best. Mailbox. Ever.

I have to state here that Lori took this photo. Note that it is perfectly centered, a sure sign I had nothing to do with it.

I realize that deed restrictions aren't standard across the board, and other people have mailboxes held by manatees and dolphins and alligators, but come on. Best. Mailbox. Ever. Did I mention that? In the land of Jose Gaspar, where pirates invade the city once a year and the pirate's galleon resides downtown year-round, it's tough to find someone who might be taking the area traditions a tad TOO seriously.

At least their friends don't have to look too hard for the house on their first visit.