J M Wetherington Sr

Last Saturday Cindy and I drove from Orlando to Clearwater to spend the day visiting with my younger brother, Mark, and my niece, Diana.

I hadn’t seen Mark since our last get together in Manhattan on March 10, 2013 and I’m not even going to guess how much longer it had been since he and Cindy last saw each other, so It was a long overdue visit.

We arrived at Mark’s beautiful home around 9:45 am and after an hour and a half or so of just relaxing and talking, we went in search of a place for lunch, ending up at a mutual favorite, Tijuana Flats.

Tijuana Flats!

Then we drove across the causeway to Clearwater Beach. A normal 15 minute drive took a little more than hour due to Spring Break crowds that filled the roads with traffic. But we were in no hurry and enjoyed the views and the time to talk and make fun of the other drivers and their passengers.

We stopped by Hulk Hogan’s Beach Shop, but it was closed due to an employee being rushed to the hospital with a broken arm. I guess Hulkamania got loose and ran wild on her. Then we walked over to the beach and took a few pictures while enjoying the sounds of the water and watching the beachgoers. Cindy and I agreed we’d like to return and spend a night or two at a hotel right on the beach, just not during Spring Break.

Me standing in front of the closed-for-employee-injury Hulk Hogan Beach Shop. Glory days!

Clearwater Beach on a gorgeous April day.

Leaving Clearwater Beach we drove south on Gulf Boulevard to Indian Rocks Beach where Mark has some rental property. All the units were occupied so we couldn’t tour them, but we did get to see them from the outside as well as the nearby beach. My brother is becoming the combover-less Donald Trump of Pinellas County!

Mark and I as “The Boys Are Back in Town” played in the background on Clearwater Beach.

Taking the scenic route back to Mark’s home, we arrived just a few minutes before my niece Diana, spent about an hour chatting and catching up and then headed to dinner at a local Japanese Steak House. It was a fun experience and a delicious meal.

My beautiful niece Diana preferred NOT to be in the photo, but rather to take it.

Afterward, we went back to Mark’s home, drank some excellent Scotch, laughed a whole lot and enjoyed the time we had to spend together. Too soon, it was time to leave.